The History of Little Italy on its 50th Anniversary

(reprinted with the author's permission)

by John M. Donofrio

The modern Italian immigration was divided into three waves. The first wave occurred early in the nineteenth century and was aimed at settlement in Europe, and North America. The second wave began in the 1870's and lasted until about 1900 with most settling in Latin America. Both of these waves were dominated by northern Italians who tended to be educated and could offer skills to the host country. They were also interested in making the move permanent. The third wave began at the turn of the century and was dominated by southern Italians, many of whom chose the United States as a temporary location until they could return to Italy as wealthy individuals.

Italians had been in the United States since the colonial period, but their numbers were few. While it is difficult to know how many participated in the War of Independence, some leaders of that period were Italian-Americans. Philip Mazzei, born in Tuscany, arrived in the United States in 1773 and is credited with coining the phrase "all men are created equal," the phrase Thomas Jefferson incorporated into the Declaration of Independence. Other Italian-Americans who took part in the war included Francisco Vigo who with Rogers and Clark, is also credited with winning the northwest and opening the Mississippi River. Another is William Paca who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Italian immigration established many settlements in French Louisiana, and sent missionaries and explorers into the hinterland. Many also settled in California, where they became important in the wine industry. A national winery, Italian-Swiss, was founded in 1881 by A. Sharboro. Many also settled in Colorado because they were chiefly miners. Italian settlements were also established in the Middle Atlantic States, Pennsylvania and New York which comprised the second largest concentration of Italian settlements. By 1900 these two states had over one-third of the total population in the United States.

It was in the summer of 1864 that the first known person of Italian descent, Raffaele Bracaccini, settled in Erie. He was a musician traveling with a carnival. According to a newspaper article, he had no intentions of settling here, but he spent the afternoon fishing in Lake Erie and decided to stay, because it reminded him of his native village.

The next two Italians to arrive, in Erie, were Carl Rossie in 1866 and Vitale Spadacene in 1868. Spadacene was a veteran of the Union Army of the Civil War, and became the first ethnic leader of the tiny, but growing, Italian-American community. His military had apparently helped him to overcome the language barriers and furnished an opportunity for him to learn about the political system. Joseph Leone and Jack Madonna arrived in 1884.

By 1891 there were several hundred Italians in the City, and most of them settled on the City's west side, around 16th and Walnut Streets. This area eventually became known as "Little Italy".

The growth of Erie's Italian colony was slow until after World War I. By 1891 there were several hundred Italians in the City, and most of them settled on the City's west side, around 16th and Walnut Streets. This area eventually became known as "Little Italy".

The early Italians located themselves in one of the less fashionable areas of the city. In the last quarter of the 19th century, West 16th Street was near the southwest edge of the city, all of West 16th Street, from Cherry to Poplar was a cornfield. The northeast corner of West 16th and Poplar was then a dump site. West 16th Street was unpaved and became nearly impassable during inclement weather.

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