Italians in Syracuse, New York
Encyclopedia
Italian immigrants first came to the area around Syracuse, New York
beginning in 1883 after providing labor for the construction of the West Shore Railroad
.
By 2010, demographics showed that 14.1% of the population in Syracuse was Italian
descent.
. At first, they were quite transient and came and went, but eventually settled down on the Northside
.
The West Shore Railroad
was the name of a railroad that ran from Weehawken, New Jersey
, across the Hudson River
from New York City
, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York
and then west to Syracuse
with final destination in Buffalo
. It was organized as a competitor to the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, but was soon taken over by that company.
A news article in August 1882, stated that the Sanitary Inspector received a letter from Secretary Harris, of the New York State Board of Health, stating that typhus fever was prevalent among the Italian
laborers on the West Shore Railroad
. A state inspection was made from Nyack
to Syracuse
and instructions for treatment of the disease were distributed in 67 towns.
immigrants were illiterate. Most spoke several Italian dialects and when they first arrived in Syracuse
they preferred their own "idiom" while at work or leisure and did not assimilate easily into the English speaking population.
is an ethnic enclave in Syracuse
that contains several bakeries
, café
s, pizzerias, restaurant
s, beauty salons, shops, bar
s and nightclub
s. The main street in Little Italy is North Salina Street on the city's Northside
which was originally a German neighborhood. The Italians all but supplanted the Germans and now have their own business district along North State and North Salina Streets.
by Rev. Dean L. M. Vernon (died1896) who's work was passed on to Rev. Antonio Peruzzi. Ten gospel meetings had been held in Italian
districts during the summer of 1896 which were well attended. A mission was opened in rooms of the West Shore Railroad Station
. Soon after, the Italians organized a church society known as the Free Italian Church of Syracuse.
neighborhood and in the early days was frequented predominantly by local Italian
families.
was located at the corner of Burnet Avenue and Lock Street (which was later changed to 130 North State Street), situated north of Erie Boulevard East.
The church was originally called The Church of Messiah and was built by the Unitarian Congretional Society of Syracuse in 1853 who sold it to the Lutherans in 1885. Between 1885 and 1895, it housed St. Mark's German Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The St. Peter's Italian Church
parish built a large Romanesque church at 701 James Street at the corner of Catherine Street where they relocated in 1953.
children by the W.C.T.U. at the corner of North State and North Salina streets in the same quarters used for church purposes by the Italian Methodist Mission under the direction of Rev. Morrello and his wife. The W.C.T.U. held a sewing class there every Saturday afternoon, however, there was some contention with the Catholic
church.
The facades of these "row buildings" have round-arched window openings and corbeled brick cornices, features that are characteristic of the design.
The Agnostino Depretis Military Society donated $420 to the victims of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in May, 1906.
A gala event was celebrated by Italians in Syracuse with the formation of a new Italian society, Duci Degil Abbruzzi, and the blessing of the flag. Uniforms bearing gold lace were donned on May 9, 1907 by the Italians and committees met visiting delegations at the trains. At noon, a dinner was served at Turn Hall Later, a parade of 850 men started from Turn Hall and marched to the strains of the Italian national hymn from North Salina Street to Catawba Street, to North State Street, to South State Street, to Jefferson Street, to South Salina Street, to North Salina Street to Turn Hall. Hundreds of people viewed the procession. James Lanzetta was grand marshall.
community as early as 1905. The Columbus Day Celebration Committee of St. Peter's Italian Church planned a grand parade of the Italian societies through the downtown streets. The committee in charge of the arrangements for the celebration included Rev. Frank Morassi, pastor, Thomas Marnell, James Lanzetta, Frank Pellegrini, Frank Sco and Joseph DeBarbieri.
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
beginning in 1883 after providing labor for the construction of the West Shore Railroad
West Shore Railroad
The West Shore Railroad was the final name of a railroad from Weehawken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York and then west to Buffalo...
.
By 2010, demographics showed that 14.1% of the population in Syracuse was Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
descent.
History
The Italian first settled in the territory of Onondaga County in the early 1880s during the construction of the West Shore RailroadWest Shore Railroad
The West Shore Railroad was the final name of a railroad from Weehawken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York and then west to Buffalo...
. At first, they were quite transient and came and went, but eventually settled down on the Northside
Northside, Syracuse
The Northside is a neighborhood in the city of Syracuse, New York consisting of a residential area bordered by commercial corridors. As defined by Syracuse's "Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today" planning system, the Northside is a large section of the city of Syracuse, covering almost four square...
.
The West Shore Railroad
West Shore Railroad
The West Shore Railroad was the final name of a railroad from Weehawken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York and then west to Buffalo...
was the name of a railroad that ran from Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 12,554.-Geography:Weehawken is part of the New York metropolitan area...
, across the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
and then west to Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
with final destination in Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. It was organized as a competitor to the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, but was soon taken over by that company.
A news article in August 1882, stated that the Sanitary Inspector received a letter from Secretary Harris, of the New York State Board of Health, stating that typhus fever was prevalent among the Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
laborers on the West Shore Railroad
West Shore Railroad
The West Shore Railroad was the final name of a railroad from Weehawken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York and then west to Buffalo...
. A state inspection was made from Nyack
Nyack, New York
Nyack is a village in the towns of Orangetown and Clarkstown in Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of South Nyack; east of Central Nyack; south of Upper Nyack and west of the Hudson River, approximately 19 miles north of the Manhattan boundary, it is an inner suburb of New...
to Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and instructions for treatment of the disease were distributed in 67 towns.
Language barriers
Because of difficulties learning a new language, most lived in "colonies" and worked in large gangs under "bosses" of their own nationality. The earliest ItalianItalian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
immigrants were illiterate. Most spoke several Italian dialects and when they first arrived in Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
they preferred their own "idiom" while at work or leisure and did not assimilate easily into the English speaking population.
Little Italy
Little ItalyLittle Italy, Syracuse
Little Italy Syracuse is an ethnic enclave in Syracuse, New York that contains several bakeries, cafés, pizzerias, restaurants, beauty salons, shops, bars and nightclubs...
is an ethnic enclave in Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
that contains several bakeries
Bakery
A bakery is an establishment which produces and sells flour-based food baked in an oven such as bread, cakes, pastries and pies. Some retail bakeries are also cafés, serving coffee and tea to customers who wish to consume the baked goods on the premises.-See also:*Baker*Cake...
, café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
s, pizzerias, restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s, beauty salons, shops, bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
s and nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s. The main street in Little Italy is North Salina Street on the city's Northside
Northside, Syracuse
The Northside is a neighborhood in the city of Syracuse, New York consisting of a residential area bordered by commercial corridors. As defined by Syracuse's "Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today" planning system, the Northside is a large section of the city of Syracuse, covering almost four square...
which was originally a German neighborhood. The Italians all but supplanted the Germans and now have their own business district along North State and North Salina Streets.
Catholic parishes
By March 1897, there were almost 7,000 Italians in Syracuse and most were Catholics. A Methodist mission was opened in the rooms of the West Shore RailroadWest Shore Railroad
The West Shore Railroad was the final name of a railroad from Weehawken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York and then west to Buffalo...
by Rev. Dean L. M. Vernon (died1896) who's work was passed on to Rev. Antonio Peruzzi. Ten gospel meetings had been held in Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
districts during the summer of 1896 which were well attended. A mission was opened in rooms of the West Shore Railroad Station
West Shore Railroad
The West Shore Railroad was the final name of a railroad from Weehawken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York and then west to Buffalo...
. Soon after, the Italians organized a church society known as the Free Italian Church of Syracuse.
Our Lady of Pompeii
Our Lady of Pompeii Church located at 301 Ash Street is a Roman Catholic church in the NorthsideNorthside, Syracuse
The Northside is a neighborhood in the city of Syracuse, New York consisting of a residential area bordered by commercial corridors. As defined by Syracuse's "Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today" planning system, the Northside is a large section of the city of Syracuse, covering almost four square...
neighborhood and in the early days was frequented predominantly by local Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
families.
St. Peter's Italian church
In 1896, St. Peter's Italian ChurchSt. Peter's Italian Church (Syracuse, New York)
St. Peter's Italian Church was a Roman Catholic national parish serving the Italian community in Syracuse, New York. It was merged with the parish of Our Lady of Pompei in 2008....
was located at the corner of Burnet Avenue and Lock Street (which was later changed to 130 North State Street), situated north of Erie Boulevard East.
The church was originally called The Church of Messiah and was built by the Unitarian Congretional Society of Syracuse in 1853 who sold it to the Lutherans in 1885. Between 1885 and 1895, it housed St. Mark's German Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The St. Peter's Italian Church
St. Peter's Italian Church (Syracuse, New York)
St. Peter's Italian Church was a Roman Catholic national parish serving the Italian community in Syracuse, New York. It was merged with the parish of Our Lady of Pompei in 2008....
parish built a large Romanesque church at 701 James Street at the corner of Catherine Street where they relocated in 1953.
Methodist school
By December 1905, a school was established for the ItalianItalian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
children by the W.C.T.U. at the corner of North State and North Salina streets in the same quarters used for church purposes by the Italian Methodist Mission under the direction of Rev. Morrello and his wife. The W.C.T.U. held a sewing class there every Saturday afternoon, however, there was some contention with the Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
church.
Italianate architecture
The architecture of the North Salina Street Historic District is predominately Italianate in style. Many buildings in this design were constructed between the 1860s and the 1880s such as still can be seen on the east side of the 700 block of North Salina Street where many variations of the style can be found.The facades of these "row buildings" have round-arched window openings and corbeled brick cornices, features that are characteristic of the design.
Italian clubs
The Italian-American Club voted to attend the inauguration of President Theodore Roosevelt at Washington D.C in March, 1905. Thomas Marnell, president of the society, said that upwards of 100 Syracuse Italians in uniform would represent the organization at the event. A dancing party was held on February 15 at Turn Hall to raise funds for entertainment on the trip.The Agnostino Depretis Military Society donated $420 to the victims of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in May, 1906.
A gala event was celebrated by Italians in Syracuse with the formation of a new Italian society, Duci Degil Abbruzzi, and the blessing of the flag. Uniforms bearing gold lace were donned on May 9, 1907 by the Italians and committees met visiting delegations at the trains. At noon, a dinner was served at Turn Hall Later, a parade of 850 men started from Turn Hall and marched to the strains of the Italian national hymn from North Salina Street to Catawba Street, to North State Street, to South State Street, to Jefferson Street, to South Salina Street, to North Salina Street to Turn Hall. Hundreds of people viewed the procession. James Lanzetta was grand marshall.
Columbus day
The annual Columbus Day Parade in October was a big event in the ItalianItalian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
community as early as 1905. The Columbus Day Celebration Committee of St. Peter's Italian Church planned a grand parade of the Italian societies through the downtown streets. The committee in charge of the arrangements for the celebration included Rev. Frank Morassi, pastor, Thomas Marnell, James Lanzetta, Frank Pellegrini, Frank Sco and Joseph DeBarbieri.
Italian events
- Festa Italia Syracuse: Three day event in downtown Syracuse since 1996. Takes place in front of city hall at Washington and Montgomery streets in late September.
- Little Italy's Columbus Day Parade: Three days of festivities beginning on Friday night before the holiday in mid-October.