As the Italians grew in population and the area of Little Italy expanded a professional class developed. Most early Italians who came to Erie were illiterate. But after 1910 the community had sufficient numbers to support professional groups.

The first successful long-run newspaper was founded by Egidio Agresti in 1914 called "La Chitarra". It was chiefly a literary journal published weekly. It contained short stories, poems and some local news. In 1919 it became "La Gazetta", and it remained an Italian language newspaper. But because of the growth in the second generation's population, the newspaper became bilingual in 1924. To increase its readership it became entirely English in 1930.

Dr. Frank Trippe, was Erie's first Italian doctor. He came to the city in 1917 from Syracuse, New York. Trippe had immigrated to the United States with his family in 1890. Dr. Joseph Amenta arrived in 1923, also from Syracuse. From 1923 until 1940, Little Italy had its own hospital, the Rose Memorial Hospital founded by Dr. Samuel Schibetta located on West 21st and Sassafras. Some of the names of the early prominent Italian-American doctors were: Dr. Narducci, Dr. Leone, Dr. Pistorio, Dr. Luppino, Dr. Mango, etc.

Erie's early Italian colony also had two locally known musicians, Caedar Morelli and Sig. D. Cianfoni. Morelli came to Erie in 1899 as a band member with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. He, like Bracaccini some 35 years earlier, decided to stay in Erie. He organized the first Italian band and was the first Italian to be admitted to the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra. He later became the first Italian to teach at Mercyhurst College. Cianfoni organized a concert band, by 1911 it had become the largest in the city.

Erie's early Italian settlement also had a growing business class. Albert Piza with Louis Phillips and John Lucarotti came to Erie in 1892. Piza established the first Italian grocery store in this area on the northwest corner of 16th and Walnut Streets in 1910. However, the first exclusive Italian grocery store was opened in 1903 by Angelo Mazzeo, who arrived in 1898. It was located on the southwest corner of West 16th and Walnut Streets. Mazzeo's store specialized in spaghetti, olive oil, Italian spices and tomatoes.

This Italian community was also served by two ethnic banks, both founded in 1922. Leonard Pasqualicchio established the Bank of Italy, and the Italian-American Bank, was founded by Louis Phillips. In 1927 the Italian-American Bank changed its name to American State Bank. Both banks, located in the center of Little Italy, offered a host of services, including foreign exchange and steamship tickets. More important, the Italians could conduct their business in their native language. Both banks were both forced out of business during the Great Depression.

The foreign-born Italian population continued to grow and so the Italian government considered this to merit an Italian Consul. In 1922 a Consulate was established in Erie's Little Italy to issue passports and visas, settle pension claims against the Italian government, and assist the immigrants in solving legal matters in Italy. Orazio Pico was the first government representative. He was replaced by John Cappabianca in 1927.

Much of the social life of Italian-Americans in Erie centered around the church, St. Paul. It served the immigrants and their children from baptism to death, meeting their religious needs. But the church also functioned as the social center of the Italian colony, a function it still maintains.

Because of the cultural and language barriers, the immigrants established their own social organizations within their communities. In 1907, the first social organization of note was La Nuova Aurora Club. Here the Italians met with their friends and discussed the "old country", their jobs, their families, played bocce, morra, and had a few beers. Aside from the church, their social events expanded with the many social and civic clubs that became of interest to the Italian-Americans.

Over the years there were at least three Sons of Italy groups in Erie before they finally joined together. Other groups were: Italian-American Memorial League, Italian Tent 160. Later came societies like the Italian National Club, Abruzzi Club, The Calabrese Club, Italian Women's Club, United Professional Men's Club, the Rocca Pia Society, Giuseppe Mazzini Civic Association, Pennapiedimonte Club, Cesare Battisti Club, The Italian Veterans Club and a host of others.

The ethnic church and even some of the social organizations may be less important today because Erie's Italian community is no longer shut into ghetto-like neighborhoods. There are Italian-Americans in virtually every neighborhood in the city, and in every business and profession.

After World War II, the first and second generation Italian-Americans returned home, serving their country very well, and with many giving much thought to their future. They went on to the various colleges and universities to better themselves for professional positions. Others went on to trade schools with the same ambitions for better job opportunities.

By 1960 a large Italian settlement was established outside of the city in Millcreek, along Pittsburgh Avenue north of West 38th St. By 1970 many of the second and third generation Italians were gone from Little Italy, a few of their parents still live near St. Paul. A handful of their children remain there also, but not enough to mention it. Some businesses, possibly a half dozen, remain on the once busy areas.

And so, Little Italy, as it was known, no longer exists. The Italians like other ethnic groups have blended into the culture forming the fiber of this great country we all love.

by John M. Donofrio
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