Italians in Syracuse, New York
The Italians in Syracuse, New York number nearly 22,000 and are concentrated around the Little Italy of Syracuse, and the Northside of the city. Italian immigrants first settled in the area of Syracuse, New York beginning in 1883, after working on construction of the West Shore Railroad, that reached from New York City to Buffalo, New York.[1] In Syracuse, they created an Italian-American community made up of immigrants from several regions of Italy and their descendants.
By 2010, demographics showed that 14.1% of the population in Syracuse was of
History
By the end of the nineteenth century, nearly 3,500 Italians lived in Syracuse. They had established a mutual benefit organization called "Society
In the mid to late twentieth century, Lyncourt, a suburb of Syracuse beyond the North Side, developed as a destination for many Italian-American families migrating to the suburbs for newer housing and other suburban amenities. This continued until the early 21st century, when this transition slowed. More than 3% of people living in Lyncourt speak both Italian and English, a greater percentage than in 99% of the country. During the early 2000s, Lyncourt was one of the most densely populated Italian-American areas in the nation. This culture has greatly influenced the neighborhood, as many families still maintain traditional practices.[citation needed]
Language barriers
Because of difficulties learning a new language, most immigrants lived in ethnic "colonies" and worked in large gangs under "bosses" of their own nationality. The earliest
Little Italy
Originally a German neighborhood following mid-19th century immigration, that population was succeeded by Italian immigrants, as the Germans moved to other housing.[6]
Catholic parishes
By March 1897, almost 7,000 Italians lived in Syracuse and most were
St. Peter's Italian Church
In 1896, St. Peter's Italian Church was a Roman Catholic church located at the corner of Burnet Avenue and Lock Street. (It later moved to 130 North State Street),[9] north of Erie Boulevard East.[10] The Italian congregation had taken over what was originally known as The Church of Messiah, built in 1853 by the Unitarian Congregational Society of Syracuse.
The history of the church reflected demographic changes in this area of Syracuse, as a succession of ethnicities occupied the area and used the church. When the Unitarian congregation had mostly moved out of the neighborhood, they sold the building to
The congregation of St. Peter's Italian Church parish purchased the church in 1896 from the Lutherans.[11]
Methodist School
By December 1905, the
Italianate architecture
The North Salina Street Historic District has many buildings of the mid and late 19th century that are predominantly
Italian clubs
Like other immigrant groups, Italians founded fraternal clubs or mutual aid societies, as places to socialize and help each other. They were often formed by immigrants from the same village or region in Italy. The Italian-American Club of Syracuse voted to attend the inauguration of President
Italians in Syracuse celebrated formation of a new Italian society, Duci Degli Abbruzzi (meaning Dukes from
By 1929 a number of Italian-American lodges were established in Syracuse in addition to that of Abruzzi: Ruggiero Settimo (named for a leader in Sicily), Onesta e Lavoro ("Honest Work"), Duca Degli Abruzzi, Maria Montessori (named after a noted educator), Junior Progresso Lodge, Excelsior, and Golden Jubilee Lodge (a women's lodge). Founded by three local men, the Order Sons of Italy in America established a lodge in Syracuse in 1929. Over the decades since then, people's interests changed as they became more assimilated into other areas of American society. By 1974, all but the Progesso Lodge and Golden Jubilee Lodge had dissolved; these two combined that year into what is known as the Progresso Lodge #1047.[16] They have continued to raise money for charitable and local causes, helped support the annual festivals and parades, and worked for social justice.[17]
Italian events
Ethnic Italians continue to celebrate their heritage, including American citizenship:
- Festa Italia Syracuse is a three-day event in downtown Syracuse that has been celebrated since 1996. It is held in late September in front of city hall at Washington and Montgomery streets.
- Little Italy's Columbus Day Parade, begins three days of festivities, beginning on Friday night before the formal holiday in mid-October.
See also
References
Notes
- ^ a b "North Salina Street Historic District, Syracuse City". The Gombach Group, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "Syracuse, New York". CityData, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
- ^ Syracuse Sunday Herald. Syracuse, New York. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "West Shore Sufferers". The Daily Standard. Syracuse, New York. August 30, 1882.
- ^ Iorizzo: Italians in Syracuse
- ^ "New York, Syracuse". Atlantis, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
- Syracuse Evening Herald. Syracuse, New York. March 17, 1897.
- ^ Hayden, Bryan. "Changing times in Little Italy". NewsHouse, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
- ^ "Hours of Pleasure". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. February 11, 1896.
- ^ a b "Seeks Church's Records". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. June 18, 1980.
- Syracuse Herald Journal. Syracuse, New York. October 16, 1966.
- ^ "Priest Condemns Acts of W.C.T.U.". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. December 25, 1905.
- ^ "Syracuse Italians to see the President Inaugurated". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. January 13, 1905.
- ^ "Votes Aid to Victims of Volcanic Eruption". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. May 5, 1906.
- ^ "Italian People Have Gala Day". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. May 10, 1907.
- ^ "Progresso Lodge #1047, New York State Order Sons of Italy in America, 2018
- ^ "Columbus Day Celebration". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. October 5, 1905.
Bibliography
- Iorizzo et al. Gli Italiani negli Stati Uniti: l'emigrazione e l'opera degli Italiani negli Stati Uniti d'America: atti del III Symposium di studi americani-Italian American Experience. American Studies Symposium (Firenze, 27-29 maggio 1969). Ayer Publishing. New York, 1972 ISBN 0-405-06404-7
External links
- Big events and festivals, The Post-Standard, 28 July 2010