| Sokol History |
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Sokol has been a way of life for families of Czechoslovak heritage in the Detroit area for over one hundred years. By 1870, about fifty Czechoslovak families were established in Detroit and these immigrants organized many fraternal self-help organizations. On November 6, 1875, twelve enthusiastic new Americans founded the first physical cultural Unit Sokol Detroit. By 1878, the first Sokol Hall in Detroit was built on the corner of St. Antoine and Erskine Streets. A Czech school was begun and, in 1881, the second competition of the National Sokol Union was held on Belle Isle. In September 1881, Sokol Detroit merged with the fraternal organization “Budivoj” and became Sokol Budivoj. A second Sokol unit, Sokol Podlipny, was founded in 1889. It was at Sokol Podlipny that its female members first organized to “care for the spiritual and physical well being of our youth…” Sokol Podlipny built its first home at Ash and Tillman Avenues. Both units grew and developed many fine outstanding gymnasts. By 1909, a new wave of immigrants founded a third Sokol unit, Sokol Palacky, also on the west side of the city. By 1914, Sokol Podlipny had outgrown its original home and built a new Bohemian National Hall on the corner of Tillman and Butternut Streets. This substantial building was the center of all cultural and gymnastic activities for Czech-Americans in the Detroit area for fifty years. Not only gymnastic exhibitions but dances, bazaars, card parties, balls, plays, musicals, guest appearances by noted Czech and American personalities were held throughout the years, not only by Sokol but by numerous other Czech and Slovak organizations. Until the late 1950s when the need diminished, the Czech language was taught to children each Saturday. Today, there are Czech language classes for adults. These three Sokol units, Sokol Budivoj, Sokol Podlipny, and Sokol Palacky, merged in 1917 into one large unit known to this day as Sokol Detroit. The Women’s Group joined the American Sokol Organization in July 1920 under the name Lodge Sokolky Detroit. They not only looked after the well being of the youth but also worked harmoniously with the Brothers at all social functions and, indeed, in every facet of Sokol activity. In 1931, the name was changed to Lodge Sokolice Detroit, and, in 1954, to Sokol Detroit Ladies Auxiliary. Members of both Sokol and Sokolice Detroit worked together to purchase twenty acres of land on Sandy Bottom Lake near South Lyon in 1934 for use as a summer camp. Many years of hard work have gone into making this one of the finest private recreation camps in Michigan. Members have erected summer homes there, while others merely come out for the day. By the late 1950s, it was obvious that the Hall at Tillman and Butternut was losing its appeal. Many members had moved from the area to the suburbs. In 1962, the Bohemian National Hall was sold, a parcel of land was purchased in the city of Dearborn Heights, and a new Sokol Hall was built, being dedicated in 1967 as the Sokol Cultural Center. The new edifice brought about a flurry of renewed interest and activities including weekly Bingo sessions, our ever popular Czechoslovak Afternoon Dinner Parties featuring the Sokol Detroit Choral Group in a unique musical heritage program, and, for the first time expanding the sphere of activity outside the Czech center, our Czechoslovak Festival at Yack Arena in Wyandotte. Since 2004, the festival has been held at our Sokol Detroit Cultural Center in Dearborn Heights. In 1990, another major change took place. On September 6, 1990, the members of both units, Sokol Detroit and Sokol Detroit Ladies Auxiliary, voted by an overwhelming majority to merge and become one unit, Sokol Detroit. It was anticipated this change would stimulate new growth, vitality and interest in Sokol activities, both in the gymnasium and in our cultural heritage activities. The passage of time has proven this to be true. Sokol Detroit continues to grow, both in membership and activities, never forgetting the rich heritage of Sokol ideals and principles. |
