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Sunland Tribune

Volume 3 Article 6

1977

The Italian Heritage in Tampa

Tony Pizzo

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Recommended Citation Pizzo, Tony (1977) "The Italian Heritage in Tampa," Sunland Tribune: Vol. 3 , Article 6. Available at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/sunlandtribune/vol3/iss1/6

This Research Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Sunland Tribune by an authorized editor of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Italian Heritage in Tampa

Italians At Tampa Bay In The Days of Conquest and Exploration

It is little wonder that the Italian historic connection with Tampa should start with Juan Ponce De Leon and the discovery of . On his odessy of discovery De Leon The above historical marker hailing the “Coming of the sailed his small fleet of three vessels into the ” was erected by the Rotary Club. It stands Gulf of . On May 24, 1513, the at the entrance to the Columbia on 7th Avenue and 21st expedition entered the mouth of Tampa Bay. Street. The explorers tarried there for nine days. The Flagship of the fleet was named Santa secluded bay. There is no record of a Maria de la Consolacion, and its captain and settlement on the shores of Tampa Bay until master was an Italian named Giovanni Fort Brooke was established at the mouth of Bono. With typical Italian zest for la doice the Hillsborough River by the Americans in vita it comes as no surprise that an Italian 1824. should have been with Ponce De Leon on his famous quest for the illusive. Fountain of Italians at Fort Brooke During Second Youth! Seminole War

When the great, but ill-starred Conquistador, The small fort on Tampa Bay was startled the Adelantado Hernando De Soto and his into action on December 28 1835, when the six hundred men landed at Tampa Bay, May Seminoles took to the war path. Fort Brooke 30, 1939, four Italians formed an important became the chief depot of supplies, and the part of his expedition. One of them was center of military operations. During the Captain Micer Espindola, a native of , bloody seven year struggle two of who was in charge of sixty halberdiers of De Italian origin became linked with Tampa Soto's guard. Another key figure was . On March 26, 1836, a Major Maestro Francisco Aceituono, a Genoese Lawrence Taliaferro is reported to have engineer, and a great craftsman in carpentry repelled a band of Indians concealed in a and shipbuilding. The other two were hammock within the present day city limits calkers. Unfortunately, their names have of Tampa. Administering to the sic and been lost to history, but we know that one wounded was a surgeon with the , of was a Genoese, the other one a Sardinian. Dr L. J. Trotti. It is believed that Trotti was a Floridian and a descendant of Gaspar For three centuries after the glittering Trotti who is listed a residing in Saint cavalcade of De Soto had faded into history, Augustine in 1773. In 1830, James F. Trotti, Tampa Bay remained a remote and forgotten a bank examiner, and most likely a relative harbor. Only the seagulls and Indian canoes of Dr. Trotti signed a petition to President were seen upon the lonely water. Through An drew Jackson asking statehood for the the long and silent years, an occasional Territory of Florida. Cuban trader or fisherman, ventured into the Italian Settlers in Pioneer Tampa

After the devastating hurricane of 1848, that all but wiped out the fort and emerging village of Tampa, a fair number of inhabitants from Saint Augustine were attracted by the rebuilding boom that followed that catastrophe. By 1850, Tampa Town boasted of a population of one hundred and eighty-five souls Among the new-comers to Tampa were descendants of the one hundred and ten Italian colonists who came to Florida during the English The Mortellaro Macaroni factory started on Seventh Avenue, period to settle New Smyrna in 1768. They near nineteen street in a very small way. In time, became a part of the pioneer fibre of the prospered, and the factory was moved to this three story spunky little village, and provided the building located on the southeast corner of Eleventh Avenue heritage of Italian participation for the and Twentieth Street. immigrants who would arrive in Tampa a few decades later. These colorful people brought their musical names such as Vincent Leonardi married Venecia Andrew Leonardis, Pacettis, Maestres, Papis, and of Saint Augustine. He was a skilled Canovas to the little Anglo Saxon com- architect and master mechanic; he built munity. some of the finest homes in early Tampa. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he The Leonardis were of well known Italian volunteered his services to the Confederacy. ancestry The founder of the Leonardi He was captured by the Federals and in Florida was Rocco Leonardi, born in imprisoned at Fort San Marco in Saint , , in 1749 He helped found Augustine for the duration. In later years New Smyrna in 1768. His wife was Vincent was engaged in farming, fruit Esperanza Valle Bolla. Five of Rocco culture and stock raising. He developed the Leonard I 's grandchildren who came to Leonardi grapefruit, the most flavorable Tampa with their were two brothers variety cultivated up to that time. Old timers Bartholemew C. Vincent, and their three remembered him as a highly respected sisters, Theodosia, (Mrs. John P. Andrew), citizen, "honest and truthful." Jane (Mrs. Canning), and Florencia who was Mrs. Haager, a widow with six In Oaklawn, the old cemetery of the Tampa children who later married Louis Bell, Jr. pioneers there are five tomb stones bearing They had two . the Leonardi name. To this day their descendants continue the tradition of Bartholemew raised a family of three dedicated service to the Tampa community children, and was active in community for which their forebearers fought, and so affairs throughout his life. He was a member dearly loved. of the first band organized in Tampa in 1860. In 1866, he was elected to the City In 1853, civilization began to make its mark Council, and became the first member to on the geography of the area which serve on the council bearing an . thirty-five years later would be known as Ybor City. Helping as a chainman for a survey team was a young man named Andrew Pacetti. He did not stay on this job very long. On February 16, 1856, Tampa had its first election in history. The little town elected their first mayor, councilmen, and a town marshal. The first Town Marshal of Tampa was the former chainman Andrew C. Pacetti, a third generation descendant from , . It is very likely that Pacetti is the first Italian elected as Town Marshal in the .

During the Civil War, the Italians of Tampa also served the cause of the South as home guards, supplying cattle to the rebels fighting in the North, and tending salt works. Although the Town of Tampa was pretty well bottled up by the Federal blockade, Tampa blockade runners, men of great daring, the likes of Captain James McKay, Christopher L. Friebele, and Edward Clarke, risked running the blockade. Eventually, one by one these blockade runners fell captive and were sent to military prisons in the north. Among the Union sailors lurking in the Gulf of Mexico on the prowl for rebel blockade runners was an The first fire captain in Ybor City history. This honor Italian by the name of Bancroft Gheradi. He was given to Francisco Puglisi when the of the first volunteers fire unit selected him to head the Mirta was in command of several blockade ships. Hook and Ladder volunteer Company in 1888. The This Italian Yankee later became chief of unit honored Mr. Ybors youngest daughter. the North Atlantic Squadron, and retired with the rank of rear admiral. early history of the Maestri family describes Antonio Papi came to Tampa in 1848, he them as Indian fighters, stock raisers, and was a descendant of Gaspar Papi and Anna farmers. They are known today by the name Pons of Saint Augustine. Three of the Papis of Masters, and are numerous throughout gave their lives fighting for the Florida. Confederacy. The year 1849 saw the arrival of Captain The members of the Maestri family who Dominico Ghira, a native of , Italy. came to Tampa were scions of an old He was the first native born, Italian to come Florida family who originally carne in the to Tampa and remain permanently. In -1850, name of the Spanish soverign. The at, the age of twenty-four, he married progenitor of the Maestri family was Pietro Domenica (Masters). Maestre, a voting lady Maestri, a native of Villafranca, Italy. The from Saint Augustine of Italian parentage. They made their home on Florida Avenue on what was then known as the Ghira block, and what, is now the present, site of the Exchange National Bank Building.

Captain Ghira in early life was engaged in sea fearing pursuits. Later conducted a mercantile business. In 1864, he was appointed by the Hillsborough County Commissioners to run the river . Through the years he acquired valuable pieces of real estate and accummulated considerable wealth.

When Henry B. Plant connected Tampa with his railroad to northern markets, the first enterprise attracted to the seaport town was the fishing industry. Three large fishing companies moved to Tampa, one of which La Unione Italiana – The Italian Club. This magnificent was owned by Captain John Savarese, a neoclassical building has been the center for social, friend of Henry B. Plant. This young Italian, cultural, and educational functions. Throughout the a native of , came to America at the years, the palatial headquarters has been a symbol o f age of ten in 1872. Captain Savarese pride to Tampa Italians, and a memorial to the glorious developed his wholesale fishing business past of Italian civilization. Photo made in 1919. into one of the most important enterprises seen in Tampa up to that time. By 1895, his would have a long lasting influence and operations employed five hundred and fifty vitally affect its destiny. About two miles men. His fishing fleet 'consisted of fifteen into the wilderness, east of Tampa, three sailing vessels, one hundred and fifty small and a Cuban had established a craft and a large steamer, the Mistletoe. small settlement and started manufacturing Savarese was shipping more than 1,700 hand-made cigars. They were Vincente barrels of fish per month to all parts of the Martinez Ybor and his Cuban associate country. Tampa became the most important Edward Manrara; Ignacio Haya and his fish-shipping center in the South. associate Serafin Sanchez. The little village was predominantly Cuban, and. christened John Savarese served as the first Italian Ybor City, but the crackers in the Counsul of Tampa, was elected to two terms immediated area called it City. These on the Tampa City Council, and served on Florida Crackers, delighted and proud with boards of business firms and financial the coming of the cigar industry which was institutions. Savarese was one of the bringing instant prosperity to the sleepy little founders and served as first commodore of village of Tampa, patriotically switched the Tampa Yacht and Country Club. their smoking habits from corncob pipes to the fragant clear Havanas! The Coming of the At about the same time at the St. Cloud During the month of March, 1886, a Sugar Plantation, near Kissimmee, a handful momentous event occurred in Tampa that of Italians were barely eeking out a living earning seventy-five cents per day The year was 1927, and the Ital Ions stole the show at the Fair. Val Antonio, an ardent lover of Italian culture-literally a ship load of Italians objects of art-paintings, statuaries, carvings and the most magnificent automobile that had ever been seen in Tampa up to that time-it was a luxurious, black and lovely limousine known as an Isotta Fraschini, the local Italians jokingly called it the "Italian Ford". Among some of the dignitaries attending "Italian Day" ceremonies were: W. G. Borein, President of the Fair Association, D. B. McKay, Mayor of Tampa, the Consul General of Italy, Mr. , Joseph Barcellonn, G. C. Spicola, Sr., City Councilman, Albert DArka, Philip , Sam Minardi, Francisco Friscia, Angelo Spicola, Judge 1. C. Spoto, Peter Pullara, Ivo De Menicis, Ignacio Zambito, Salvatore and Dominico Reina, Arthur Euse, and Angelo Massari, the founder of the International Bank of Tampa.

producing granulated sugar. Rumors began Cloud. They envisioned Ybor City as their spreading throughout the state that a Cuban "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow. boom town near Tampa had sprung up like a mushroom in the night, and was the wonder The origin of these Italians were the bleak of Florida. Exciting stories were told of hills of central Sicily. Although this Cubans and Spaniards coming in large had been under Spanish rule for more than numbers, tobacco workers, and construction four centuries, Spaniards were rarely treated men earning, unheard of wages, and that Mr. as enemies or considered as foreign by the Plant, the railroad magnate, was offering one Sicilian population. Intermarriage was dollar and twenty-five cents per day for common, and through the years the official hands needed in the extension of his railroad language of administration and social life to Port Tampa, and in the construction of a was Catalan and Castillian. The impact of Byzantine , his Tampa Bay Hotel! spganolismo on the mold of Sicilian culture These exciting reports fired the imagination had been extensive. is of the humble Italian immigrants at St. flowered with many Spanish words. Among the Sicilians arriving in Tampa in the early days there were some bearing Spanish names such as Reina, Pardo, Miranda, Marcello, Castellano, and Barcellona.

The first trail blazers from St. Cloud to Ybor City were from , Province of , Sicily, a hill top village dating to the . In the vanguard were three Cacciatore brothers, Antonio, Calvatore and Angelo, and other paisani named Pietro Martino, Ignazio Camparetto, Francisco Di Bona and Salvatore Reina. A short time later others followed, and their descendants form a very important segment of today's Italian community-some of these were: Ignazio Dr. Frank. Adamo, Tampa's war hero of II is Pezzavecchia, Giuseppi and Gaspare Vizzi, shown above in a photograph which appeared in Life Nicholo , Giovanni Cacciatore, Magazine April 20, 1942. He was captured by the Japanese Angelo Piazza, Carlo , Gaetano when the Philippines were over-run, and held as a prisoner of Ferlita, Antonio Spoto, Giuseppe Vizzi, war for the duration. When First Avenue was opened in the Nicolo Lo Chierro, Paolo Panipinto, 1940's, a grateful citizenry named the new traffic artery Frank S. Adamo Drive in his honor. Antonio Castaglia, Nicolo Russo, Angelo

Piazzo, Giovanni Afflito, Domenica Zambito, Ignazio Leto, Nicolo Albano, the fueled by steamship companies and others brothers Francisco and Luigi Pitisci, who would profit from their coming began Vencenzo Pullara, Stefano Giunta, Francisco to spread through the villages of central Frescia Salvatore, Di Dio, Stefano Zambito,, Sicily. The flames of propaganda were Giovanni Parrino, Francisco La Longa, spreading the fame of Tampa and Ybor City Castrenze Ficarotta, Giovanni Provenzano, as a place! where workers were paid in solid Andrea Furia, Salvatore Giglio, Filippo gold coins, and one could live a life da Dino, Filippo Francisco and Niccolo cristiani (a life of christians-a life worthy of Ippolito. Other early arrivals from nearby beings). The people of the communities were the Pizzolatos, Saccos, neighboring villages of Santo Stefano such Clesis, Geracis, Schiros, De Leos, as (the second Costantinos, Lalas, Falsones, Pendinos, largest number of Italians in Tampa came Pizzos, Pugliis, Albanos, Demmis, Licatas, from this village). , , -nd Barones, Di Maggios, Di Chirras, Lo were most affected by , Scagliones, Midullas, Motos, those incredible tales. These villages Ciminos, Friscos, Capitanos, Grecos, experienced a virtual exodus. The village of Bellancas, De Cortes, Macalusos, Oddos, Contessa Entellina differs from others in that and many others. it was settled by fleeing from the Turkish ocupation of the in the The trickle became a torrent! In central Fifteenth . The people of La Sicily, glowing reports (often times Contessa are Catholics of the Greek rite, and exaggerated) from the new Americans, after five centuries retain a distinct identity with their own dialect, Albanian-Greek others made purchases from Mr. Ybor on the dialect, national costume, and folklore. installment plan. The Italian quarters There are two distinct groups in , the became known as La Pachata after a Cuban Ghegs and the Tosks. The Albanians who rent collector. migrated to Sicily were of the Ghegs. They created nine new villages in Sicily of which The Mortellaro Macaroni factory started on Piani degli Albanesi is the most famous. Seventh Avenue, near Nineteenth Street in a Sicilians refer to them by their ancient name very small way. In time, business prospered, "Gheg-Ghegs." The late Frank Falsone, a and the factory was moved to this three story descendant of this group and a highly building located on the southeast corner of respected citizen of Florida, once stated, Eleventh Avenue and Twentieth Street. "These are the most industrious people on earth. You will never see one a bread line." The early beginning for the Italians in Ybor City was obviously not Alvin and . One Today the Italian population of Tampa is of the first arrivals was Giovanni Cacciatore. predominantly composed of descendants In 1935, at the age of 75, he related his first from these five villages, with only small impressions of Tampa upon his arrival in numbers coming from other sections of 1887. Italy. "Several friends described Tampa to me Among some of the outstanding Italian with such glowing colors that I soon became pioneer families who came from Naples are enthused, and decided to come here, and try the Savareses, Marsicanos, Fantinis, for my fortune. Accordingly, in 1887, Antuonos, Costas (Philip Shore), Grimaldis, leaving my wife in , I took the Verris, and DeLeos. train to Mobile. At Mobile I took the boat that brought me here. We disembarked at La The first Italians settled on the eastern fringe Fayette Street. I was then 27 years of age. I of the small settlement of cigarmakers. had expected to see a flourishing city, but Tampa's "Little Italy" in the 1890s extended my expectations were too high, for what I from Seventeenth Street on the west to about saw before me almost brought me to tears. Twenty-Sxith Street on the east. The south There was nothing! What one. may boundary was Fourth Avenue, and at truthfully say, nothing! Franklin was a long Twenty-Second Street the boundary line sandy street. There were very few houses, veered south and included Second and Third and those were far apart with tall pine trees Avenues. The north boundary was Michigan surrounding them. The Hillsborough County Avenue-today's Columbus Drive. In the Court House was a small wooden building. beginning, their small wood-frame houses Some men were beginning on the foundation barely dotted this area of wilderness. of the Tampa Bay Hotel.

Within the Italian area there was a scattering "Ybor City was not connected to Tampa as of Spanish and Cuban families. In the heart it is today. There was a wilderness between of this section was a Spanish settlement the two cities, and a distance of more than known as La Peguena Asturis. It stretched one mile between the two places. All of along Twelfth Avenue between Seventeenth Ybor City was not worth more than one cent Street and Twenty First Street. Some of the to me. At different places in Ybor City a tall Italians moved into rental cottages while species of grass grew (saw grass), proper of swampy places. This grass grew from five to loved the Spanish speaking, and kindly six feet high. I was completely disillusioned German. with what I saw. There was a stagnant water hole where Centro Espanol Society (Seventh "When I had been in Tampa some two years, Avenue and 16th Street) is today located. A I sent for my wife. When she arrived in small wooden bridge spanned this pond. I Tampa she burst out crying at what she saw: remember that I was afraid to cross that wilderness, swamps, alligators, mosquitos, bridge, and especially so at nig , because of and open closets (out-houses). The only the alligators that lived there. They 'would thing she would say when she arrived was: often crawl onto the bridge and bask there in 'Why have you brought me to such a place? the sun all day long. "At about this time Mr. Ybor was offering "'The factory of Martinez Ybor had some homes for sale at very low prices. I went to twenty cigar-makers; Sanchez y Haya had him, and purchased a house on Eighth -some fifteen; while Pendas had about ten. I Avenue and Eigthteenth Street for the price worked for a time at to work the factory of of $725.00. 1 paid $100.00 in cash and the Modesto Monne as stripper (one who rest in monthly terms. In all I worked removes the center stem from the tobacco twenty-eight years in the cigar factories." leaf) and -made 35c for my first day's work. With the passing of time, Cacciatore Of course, I was then only learning the cigar amassed important land holding. business, and could not expect to make Upon venturing into La Pachata, or the more. When I became more skilled in my Italian area, one would immediately become work as a stripper, I would make from $1.00 aware of their sense of self sufficiency and to $1.25 a day. frugality-frugality was their overwhelming passion. Each family had a bread oven in 'While still at this work, I gradually began their backyard. The oven, shaped like an learning the cigar-makers trade as I saw that igloo, was made of concrete and fire-bricks, they were making a much more comfortable resting on four sturdy wooden polings. In income. When I had become somewhat their neat vegetable gardens were to be proficient as a cigar-maker, I was earning found new and exotic varieties of vegetables from $14.00 to $15.00 a week. which were unknown to Floridians. For example they introduced esaclore, or endive; Ybor City at one time had five Italian cardone, a thistle-like plant often called car- schools. In the early beginning of the Italian der's comb; carciofo, , , these schools actually served as and a variety of from Sicily pre-schools to entering the little county called cucuzza. They also brought a specie school which was located on Eighth of which thrives throughout the Avenue-the southwest corner of 14th Street, Island of Sicily called Ficco di India. Its and popularly called by all the Ybor City delicious prickly pears with blood-red pulp inhabitants as the "free school." Note the is highly prized by Sicilians. Anthony healthy, and well dressed appearance of the Diecidue, a retired wholesale produce children. The above photograph was made dealer, cultivates some of the most beautiful in 1903 by H. Weimer, a tall affable German cactus plants in the area. photographer. He had been a buffalo hunter out west and had a striking resemblance to In cages they kept rabbits, and pigeons. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Everyone in Ybor City Chickens roamed in the backyards along with a few guineahens. Their milk-cows, Sicilians have a sweet tooth, and are most and goats were scattered throughout the area ingenious in creating the most unusual and in vacant lots. Like all Mediterranean delicious desserts. Regardless of their station people, they had a penchant for capretto in life, their dolci (esserts) are always arrosta, roasted goat meat. superb. To tantilize the taste buds try the world famous cake; (fried Sundays were festa time. The mid-day meal filled with sweet ), sugar was a genuine feast. This tradition prevails soaked sfingi di San Giuseppe (cream to this day. Relatives and friends gather for a puffs), sugar coated , and piniolatti. mangata or tavolata. The main course was Sicilians introduced to the French, pasta prepared but not in the varieties they introduced to with delicious tomato . The dazzling Ybot City. The Cubans who are great lovers aroma of Italian bread baking in the of cafe solo began enjoying the new numerous ovens, and the slow simmering of pleasures of Sicilian gelati, such as tomato sauce in the various kitchens cast a or lemon sherbet and even the more exotic bewitching aroma throughout the little ice creams with the flavors of mulberry, settlement. Other Sicilian dishes introduced prickley-pears, jasmine, , almonds, by the new arrivals which are a delight are and watermelon. They added a new macaroni and made of salted dimension of pleasure to la bella vita in the sardines, raisins, pine-fruits, and wild new Latin town in Angelo-America. fennel; agghiu e oggh'u (with and oil); spaghetti with clam sauce; On Sunday afternoons. small groups would Pasta al Forno -includes anelleti, tomato, gather under the shade of a mulberry tree minced meat, hard boiled eggs, salami and which were numerous in the -area, to enjoy ; macaroni and fried-on-pan ; the balmy Florida weather which so roast sausage; spidini, (stuffed veal pillows) reminded them of Sicily. It was appropriate thinly cut veal cutlets stuffed with ham or for them to sing O'Sole Mio, since an old proccuito ad mozarella; and Bruchuluni, proverb claims that the sun is Sicilian. Even slices of meat filled with ham, grated the mocking birds in the trees seemed to join Romano cheese, boiled egg slices, green with the sounds of the and peppers, salt and pepper, and boiled in guitars. Songs were heard tomato sauce. everywhere-nearly everyone sang who wasn't talking. The air was filled with the Vegetables are a main stay of the Sicilian happy sounds of children playing, and the cuisine. Vegetables such as fennels, green mellifuous, tones of the Sicilian dialect. beans, broccoli, cabbages, green and black , , tomatoes and cucumbers, are The, men would gather to, play at the! game widely used. The Sicilians of Tampa like of bocce, a game played by rolling wooden those on their native island in cooking balls toward a target on a hard packed sand egg-plants (fried, stuffed or, capunata), court. It's the grandpa of modern ten-pin squashes (fried or stuffed); peppers bowling. and (fried with butter and bread crumbs) are in a class by Old traditions died hard in Ybor City. themselves. Among the traditions which eventually passed on was the, Sicilian of mourning. Widows in those times spent their life-time dressed in drab mourning garb where most of his children were born. He --shrouded in black from head-shawls to came to Tampa in 1892, and established a shoes. grocery store and a horse trading enterprise on Eighth Avenue and Eighteenth Street * Another custom which attracted curiosity, The family continues in business at the same and has also vanished with the passing of the location under the firm name of Castellano first arrivals was the common scene of and Pizzo. Italian mothers happily and proudly rocking on their front porches, humming a Sicilian The Italians from Sicily at the outset found lullabye to their bambinos sucking on their work laying out tracks for the Plant System, exposed breasts. in the construction of the Tampa Bay Hotel, as porters in the cigar factories, and in the Funerals were occasions of high solemnity, construction of residential and commercial and were attended by virtually the entire buildings of the budding community. Others Italian colony. They were a closely knit lot. became engaged in truck, and dairy farming, If they weren't related, they were paisani and opened grocery stores, confectionary stores, in those days being a paisano (countryman) fruit stands, saloons and fish markets. Some was tantamount to family. The Italian pursued their trades as cobblers, tailors, cemetery located on Twenty-Second Avenue stone-masons and some of the: house wives and TwentySixth Street dates back to those were. able to better the family lot by sewing days. The funeral procession left from the and embroidering. The art of pundina or home where the body laid in state. The crocheting attained its highest art form at the cortege was led by a black hearse hands of the Sicilian donni. pulled by two white horses covered with black mesh. Families who could afford a Impressive vegetable farms began to appear band hired the only band available at that between Twenty-Fifth Street and the Tampa time-a musical group of Cuban cigarmakers. Northern Railroad, from Seventh Avenue as led the cortege playing funeral far as Michigan Avenue. Antonio Capitano dirges, while small groups, wearing utilized a stream in that section known as the vestments of fraternal orders, carried Two, Mile Branch to cultivate excellent banners and standards. Following on , water-cress, a vegetable highly prized by trudging through the sandy streets, the Italians. One of the finest farms was located seemingly endless line of Italian mourners, south of Adamo Drive between solemnly accompanied their compatriot to Twenty-Second Street and the Estuary. The the cemetery where they paid their last rich black soil produced the, finest respects. The more extravagant ones rented and other vegetables. It's owner, Vicenzo a horse and carriage for one dollar. Four or Zambito, better known by his five would share the rental cost, and thereby Maraune, was a first class agriculturalist demonstrated their frugality in their who gave a life-time to farming. In later extravagance. The last funeral procession years the -land became too valuable for led by an Italian band was the funeral of farming, and the heirs were compelled to Pietro Pizzolato during the Spanish flu sell the acreage for industrial use. epidemic in 1918. Pizzolato was the maternal-grandfather of the author. He was a The early farmers who converted the native of La Contessa Entellina, and had palmetto flats of Ybor City into lush and migrated to Sorocco, New Mexico in 1879, profitable farm lands were the Lazzaras, English-more- to cope with the Mastinos, Valentis, Scolaros and Capitanos. Anglo-Saxon salesmen than with his clientele who were predominately Cubans. If Today the descendants of the Valentis, he opened a grocery store, a sign went up in Geracis and Lazzaras are engaged in Italo-English, Grosseria-Italiana. In some nationwide produce enterprises which cases the cycle was from push cart to include the operation of farm lands in wagon-peddler, then to the privilege of a California. Others who have been prominent fruit stand and then a grocery store. Enticing in the fruit and produce business are. the displays of luscious fruits exemplified the Schiros, Pupellos, Fillipellos, Rizzos, pride with which they advertised their wares Ippolitos, Lalas, Diecidues, Manalis, and artistic abilities. Among the well Barones, Naplis, Ferlitas and the Macalusos. remembered fruit stand operators were Minico Ficarotta, 1702 Nineteenth Street; A vital part of Sicilian life is the love of Nicola Marsicano, 903 Seventh Avenue; . It is therefore little wonder that as Charles Pitisci, 1630 Seventh Avenue; Peter early as 1887, Italians were engaged in the Pullara, known as Tardiolo, 1806 Ninth cultivation of in this area. Vincent De Avenue; Antonio Spoto, 2106 Seventh Leo, who was manager of the City Barber Avenue; Angelo Telese, 1114 Seventh Shop located on Franklin and La Fayette Avenue; Nicolo Tramontana, 2010 Seventh Streets, established a twenty acre vinyard of Avenue; Antonio Papy, Franklin and La malaga and scuppernong varieties on Fayette and Louis Moses, California Fruit the Hillsborough River. In May, 1891, the Stand, La Fayette Street. Tribune reported that "a number of Cubans and Italians have bought sixty acres, and The Italians love celebrations. Here they are will go into grape culture this fall-near shown forming a caravan to go on an Italian Tampa." Bartolo Filogamo, a young Club picnic to DeSoto Park, or Ballast Point emigrant from Trapani, and a vary capable or Rocky Point. These were the popular accountant, with Y. M. Alvarez, a cigar spots for an outing in those days- this was manufacturer, went into grape culture near sirca, 1912. The photo was taken from the Lake Bilows. If wine was ever made from old Italian Club building, and the empty lot these vineyards it must have been on a in the foreground is the site of the present non-commercial basis as no later records of Club building on 7th Avenue and 18th sales are known. Nearly three quarters of a Street. century later (1973) Joe D. Midulla, Sr., a member of a prominent family of wine B- 1910, there were fifty-four Italian merchants established the first winery in the grocery stores in Tampa. From this humble history of Tampa. group of merchants emerged one of the miracle stories of American business. From Salvatore Scolaro farmed along the west very meager beginnings Salvatore , bank of the Two Mile Branch, a fresh-water parlayed his small grocery store located at stream near 27th Street and 7th Avenue. His 2705 E. Columbus Drive into a farm lands reflected the loving care he gave multi-million dollar grocery chain known as to the cultivation of his beautiful celery. Kash 'n Karry. In 1946, Salvatore pooled the resources of his family and launched into his Many Sicilians went into business as soon as great enterprise. He was ably assisted by his they learned about fifty words in sons Joe, John and Mac, and by his sons-in-law Frank Giunta and Joe reported in 1910, and doing good business. Dominguez. At Spanish Park in the vicinity of 40th Street, and out into the outskirts, were The fame of Tampa Bay as a great fishing located Giuseppe, Guagliardo, Luiggi ground and the coming of many Italians, Massaro, Frank Albano, and at nearby Oak attracted fishermen who soon made Tampa a Park was located the dairy of George major Italian fishing community. Their Coniglio. At Palmetto Beach, on the Hook- names are well known to Tampans today as ers Point Peninsula, were located the dairies Mirabella, Felicione, Matassini, Boromei, of John Spoto, Antonio Massaro, and La Bruzza and Agliano. Their success has Salvador Buggica; the others were Joseph been of long duration. For many years they Cutro, 3101 Second Avenue; Ignazio owned large fishing fleets, and distributed Gaetano, Thirteenth Street and Twenty- their catch by refrigerated trucks throughout Seventh Avenue; Dominico, Militello, the Southeast. In recent years some of them Thirty-First Street and Michigan Avenue; have gone into the seafood restaurant busi- Antonio Sabatino 252 Street, Ignazio ness with much success. Spoto, Michigan Avenue and Thirty-First Street. The ever enterprising Italian soon established the first macaroni factories in One of the very first dairies was owned by Ybor City. Onofrio Mortellaro and Filippo Castenzio Ferlita and Salvatore N. Reina. In Lodato established their factory at 1908 7th 1894, they established a milk dairy which Avenue, and a little later Antonio Cacciatore they operated until 1916. Later from opened his factory at 1806 8th Avenue. In earnings realized in the successful dairy the 1920's Greco and Ginex bought the firm enterprise, they established the from Cacciatore and continued into the years Cosmopolitan lee Co., and the Tropical Ice of the depression. Cream Company.

In the story of Italian activities in Tampa, From these pioneer dairies emerged Florida the Reinas fully deserve a place of honor. Dairy, one of the largest dairy enterprises in The first the state. The founder was Giuseppe Reinas came among those heroic nine Guagliardo, a Stefanese. He started business. immigrants whose coming marked the dawn in the most humble circumstances, with only of Italian contribution to the culture of two milk cows and a horse and buggy to Tampa. make his deliveries. At the beginning his daily house deliveries totaled seven quarts Salvatore is the progenator of the Tampa and two pints. Today, the herd exceed Reinas. Today Domenic Reina, and several thousand. head of cattle. Salvatore, 96 and 94 years old respectively are agile and enjoying a healthy life. One of the amusing oddities which Carrying on in the business life of Tampa, confounded the Italians when they first Dick heads the Reina Bros. Grocery arrived in Ybor City was finding a black Wholesale Co., and Hugo runs the De Rio bartender in the Mascotte Saloon which was Packing Co. located on Tenth Avenue and Fourteenth Street, with the name of Christopher The early Italian diaries were quite Columbus. numerous with twelve operations being The earlist Italian meat-market was located arranged on the night table, was a supreme at 1816 7th Avenue and was owned by five pleasure to the doting parents. Cacciatore brothers, Giuseppe, Ignazio, Silvestro, Filippo and Salvatore. For some The great majority of the Italians who were unknown reason, the butchershop was attracted to Ybor City came with the always referred to as Gamilla. Their meats aspiration of becoming cigarmakers. The were always of the best quality, and they earnings were excellent and the cigar adhered to the wishes of the Latin public in industry offered them an opportunity to suppling Spanish style cuts. With the quickly elevate their economic status. coming of Urban Renewal, this business disappeared, but two off-shoots of this In the course of a few years, six cigar pioneer meat-market still exists and are factories with Italian affiliations emerged operated by descendents a Cacciatore upon the scene. They were: George F. Brother at 2301 W. Buffalo Avenue, owned- Borrotto, La Vatiata, Leonardi-Hayman, and operated by Philip Cacciatore and Filogamo, and Alvarez, V. M. (Val) Cacciatore and at 3614 N. Armenia Antuono, Andrea Re, and the Marsicano Avenue, owned by Angelo Cacciatore. At Cigar Co. the beginning of the century, the following Italians were operating meatmarkets: Of the six above factories, the one owned by Giuseppe Canova, Salvatore Castellano, Val Antuono marketing the C. H. S. label Giuseppe Castaglia, Vicenzo Lazzara, Peter, (Clear Segars) became, a fabulous Frank and Salvatore Leto, Rafalle Massaro, success. His brand, became famous from Salvatore Monteleone, Ignazio Zambito and coast to coast. Antuono came to Tampa from Salvatore Pitisci. Naples in 1886, at the age of twelve and soon learned to make cigars and dreamed of Carmello, Testesecca, established one of the the day he would have his own factory. He first Italian bakeries. It was located at 2009 married Jennie Geraci, and soon thereafter 10th Avenue. Other bakeries were Angelo the young couple commenced making cigars Ferlita's La Joven Francesa at 1818 Ninth in their home on Twelfth Street between Avenue. This bakery building has been Seventh and Eighth Avenues. In time he was selected to house the Ybor City State able to employ three cigarmakers and moved Museum which will highlight the cigar to LaFayette and Tampa Streets. The site industry and Tampa's Latin heritage. Other became known as Val's Corner until the bakeries owned by Cosimo, Anastasia, First National Bank acquired the property. Salvatore Muleo, S. Reina, and G. Subsequently he built a large cigar factory Ficarrotta. and amassed large real estate holdings. For many years he served as consular agent of It is sad to see the custom of making pupi di Italy. zucchero (sugar-dolls) disappear from the scene. These attractive candies were sold Today the V. Guerrieri Cigar Company is during All Saints Day, better known to the only large cigar factory owned by an modern day Italians as Halloween! The joy Italian in Tampa. This firm was established of the children waking up on the morning of in 1937, and has become one of the major All Saints Day and finding an array of plants in the city. lovely Pupidi, sweet as heaven, neatly In 1935, there were seven Italian cigar author, corresponded with him while he factories: Francisco Capitano, John B. Leto, lived in . He died a few years ago in Antonio Martorano, Alessi Scaglione, S. his nineties. Spoto, Andrea Valenti and Antuono. It is of little surprise to find Jose Marti, the El Lector, the reader, held a position of high great Cuban patriot, commenting on the esteem in the cigar factories. It was required Tampa Italians in Patria, the official organ that the reader possess a resonant, clear of the Cuban Party, on voice that could be heard throughout the September 3, 1892: large workroom. The reading was al ways "Patria renders a deserving tribute to the done in the Spanish language. In the history memory of that brave Italian Natalio, of the Tampa cigar industry only one Italian Argenta, who shed his blood for us, and had the distinction of being a reader. He was under whose name the Italians of Tampa, Onofrio Palermo from Santo Stefano, a man lovers of liberty, offer their assistance to the of intellectual powers who possessed an grandiose task of liberating the Antilles." excellent command of the Castilian language. He was excelled in vocal delivery The early Italians of Tampa, a proud people, and for years was a favorite at the Villazon strongly believed in self-help. Their factory antipathy to outside charities and the belief of helping their own led to the establishment One of the most colorful Italians to live in of The Italian Club of Tampa - L 'Unione Ybor City was Orestes , native of Italiana. This mutual aid society was or- Naples. Ferrara was a revolutionary with ganized April 4, 1894 with 127 members. rare oratorical talent. On occasions he would Bartolio Filogamo, womo prominenti, the stand on a soap-box on the, corner of first Italian cigar manufacturer, (filogamo y Seventh Avenue and Seventeenth Street in Alvarez Cigar Factory), was elected as the his red Garbaldi shirt, and Ferra fired the first president. Cubans into frenzy for the cause of liberty. Before leaving with his Italian friends, La Union provided its members with sick Federico Falco, and Guglielmo Petriccione, and death benefits. Their comprehensive to join General Maximo Gomez in the health insurance program is one of the oldest wilderness of interior Cuba, Orestes examples of cooperative social medicine in promised his sweethear, Maria Luisa the United States. The Italian Club of Tampa Sanchez, a resident of Ybor City and a is considered the fore-runner of the more daughter of General Serafin Sanchez that if than fourteen hundred mutual aid societies he came through the war alive he would that flourished in -Italian neighborhood return and marry her. In 1902, when Cuba throughout America. became a republic, they were joined in marriage and lived a very happy life The first clubhouse was located near the together for some seventy years. northwest corner of Seventh Avenue and Eighteenth Street. It was erected during the Ferrara went back to Cuba and, became a administration of Philip F. Licata a peerless very wealthy man. He served as President of pioneer leader who served on the city the Cuban Congress and later as Cuban council and as Italian consular agent. One Ambassador to the United States. He wrote day in May, 1914, the club headquarters was several cultural and historical books. This completely destroyed by fire. A new and impressive neo-classic, three-story building a, Phillip Licata, Nick City Council: Antonio was inaugurated in 1.918 across the, street Rein, Nuccio, Albert D'Arpa, Joe Bondi, from the previous building. Frank Cannella, James Minardi, Sam Mirabella, Dick Greco, Jr., Joe Chillura, and In 1924, Paul Pizzo, a thirty-four year old presently C. G. Spicola, Jr., is serving on the native American, proud of his heritage and Council. seeking to strengthen the position of Italians in America, founded the first chapter in the One of the most important Italian families in State of Florida of the prestigious of the political life of Tampa are the Spicolas. the Sons of Italy. The Tampa Chapter was They have been politically active since the named La Nuova . Pizzo served as early thirties. The family dates to the pioneer founding president for two terms. He was days of Ybor City, and have served the author's father. The Order was originated meritoriously through many years in the in New York in 1905 by Dr. Vincent progress of the city. Charles, Sr., Angelo, A. Sellaro, and his branched out into more, G., Jr., and (1, C.- (Tommy, Jr.) have than, three thousand lodges. Today Tampa supported many worthwhile community has three lodges, and in Florida there are projects through the Rotary and Lions twenty-six. Clubs. In the early days G. C. Spicola, Sr., the progenitor of the family, developed a The early Italian doctors who served the drink to compete with Coca-Cola; its brand community through the programs of the name was "SpiCola." The venture did not societies were Drs. Isidoro Cici who lived at prove to be a world dazzler, and the 1120 Ninth Avenue, Guggino, 1915 enterprise was abandoned. Later he Eleventh Avenue, Cosmo , 1605 Ninth established a hardware store at 1815 Seventh Avenue, and G. DiMaio who had an office Avenue which eventually developed into the on Seventh Avenue and Eighteenth Street. present Spicola Hardware Company, Inc., a These men made house calls; they were on gigantic dstributing operation. Judge Joseph call around the clock, they were dedicated, G. Spicola served on the Justice. of the and it wasn't their lot to die rich. Peace Court, and his son, Joseph, Jr., served as State Attorney while his younger son, It was inevitable for Italians to enter politics. Guy W., is presently serving as State Their gregarious nature and desire to better Senator. In Tampa there are 49 attorneys serve the social needs of their people with Italian names. Five of these are prompted their initial entry into public life. Spicolas. The first Ybor City Italian was elected to public office in 1911. Elected to the City The personable Paul Antinori, Jr. became Council was Nunzio DiMaggio. He was the first District Attorney with an Italian possessed with shrewd common sense, and a name in Hillsborough County history. Paul burning desire to get ahead. Despite the fact serves as chairman of that bella Festa that he barely spoke English he was elected. Italiana given every year. In 1975 he was This gave the Italians an aura of civic pride. decorated by the Italian government. It is true," many exclaimed, 'in a democracy everyone is equal.' There were many In the judicial structure of the county, Judge obstacles ahead, but the mental block had I. C. Spoto has the honor of being the first been breached. Intermittently others were Circuit Judge of Italian heritage in the elected to the history of Hillsborough County. Those serving as Probate Judges Nick J. Falsone, Community. The first Spoto to come to and Rene Zacchini. Tampa was Antonio. He was a native of Santo Stefano, and homesteaded on the For many years of outstanding service to the south side of Seventh Avenue near Hillsborough County Public School System, Twentieth Street. The year was 1888. four citizens bearing Italian names have Antonio Spoto bought a few milk cattle and been honored by having schools named after in a short period of time had developed a them: Philip Shore (), Ateo Leto, A. profitable dairy business. In time other Chiaramonte, and Angelo Greco. relatives joined him. Today there are nearly two hundred Spotos in Tampa. Al Chiaramonte served on the Hillsborough County School Board for more than twenty Antonio's two sons, Vincent and John, years in a most creditable manner. Upon his became the first two native born dentists of retirement he was honored by having a new Italian descent. Today out of the thirty-three school building named after him. Italian dentists in Tampa, eight of them are Spotos. In Tampa there are 43 surgeons with Bob Bondi, the son of Philip Bondi, a retired Italian names, eight of them are Spotos. county educator, has served on the County Judge 1. C. Spoto serves as a Circuit Judge, School Board, and is presently serving as Rudy Spoto served as the first County Chairman of the Hillsborough County Administrator and Eddie Spoto has served Commission. the Broadway Bank as President for many years. Several of them are also in education. Nick Nuccio, a third generation Tampan, entered politics in 1929. He served two Since the early days the Spotos have been terms on the City Council and eight terms on engaged in many phases of the commercial the County Commission. Nick Nuccio life of Tampa. George is one of the most became the first mayor of Tampa of Italian affable members of the clan. He owns a heritage. Nick served the city most successful haberdashery known as Phil diligently through two terms. The boy from Fairchild, and two other stores of men's Eighth Avenue and Seventh Street, became furnishings. Leslie Priede, the present a legend in his own time, and is admired as reigning queen of Sant'. Yago, is a fourth being, "A friend of all the people." generation of the Spoto lineage.

The venerable Nick Nuccio was succeeded Madam Tina Russo, the grand lady by Dick Greco, Jr., who, at the time, was of in Florida, came to Tampa via New thirty-four, making him the youngest mayor York City in 1932. Her early vocal studies of a major city in the nation. Dick, called the were financed by the great . young lion by the press, brought a Latin Soon after arriving in Tampa she was "charisma' never before seen in Tampa widowed and became the sole supporter of politics. He served with great capacity and the three children. Since she was a specialist "gusto' into a second term, when he resigned in the bel canto technique, she became a to take an executive position with a national voice teacher. company. In 1954 this highly cultured lady founded For nearly eighty years the Spotos have been the Tampa Grand Opera Association. one of the best known families in the Latin For years this dainty lady with the courage Dr. Frank Adamo, the medical hero of of a lion has struggled to keep opera alive in Bataan in World War II. A grateful people Tampa, and the townspeople take off their of Tampa honored him by naming First Borselinos to her. Avenue Frank Adamo Drive. For his service in the war as chief surgeon in a general F.S.U. halfback hero Nelson Italiano, hospital he was presented the Legion of insurance executive, and chairman of the Merit . prestigious Tampa Sports Authority, is one of Governor Ruben Askew's closest Joseph D. Midulla, Sr., Chairman of the confidants. Board of Tampa Wholesale Liquor Company, Inc., one of the largest Joe Testa-Secca, a native Tampan, is a distributing companies in the South, has in nationally known artists. recent years established The House of Midulla, Inc., an import company, and Fruits Arthur Schiro is serving his second term as of Florida, Inc. These two companies chairman of Tampa's Port Authority. Arthus based in Tampa, supply foreign and was the founder of the Banana Trading Co., domestic products on a national basis. and after thirty years of operating the distributing firm he sold it to the Del Monte Molly Ferrara, the balla donna of Ybor City, Co. is a unique combination of superb human qualities. Molly's Italian culture, marinating Judy Alvarez, (her mother is a Pupello) the for years in a Spanish, Cuban, American girl who put Tampa on the map of the environment, has given her an excitable and world. She is the only Tampan to play at effervescent personality. Molly served brilli- Wimbledon where she competed three years antly as Alcaldesa of Ybor City, or honorary in a row. mayor. Molly initiated the idea and fostered the founding of the first Girl's Club in Rick Casares, Tampa's football sensation Tampa. and "the greatest Chicago Bear runner of them all," sixth ground gainer in NFL Anthony J. Grimaldi, Sr., often called "Mr. history, five times All-Pro and all-time Draft Board" for his thirty years of service favorite son of Florida. (Rick is three as executive chairman of the Tampa quarters Italian.) Selective Service Board. He is the president of the Ybor City Crime Commission, a past Tony, Jimmy and Joe Leto, the greatest president of the Ybor City Rotary Club, and family in boxing in Tampa history. They served on the committee which established were great fighters of world renown. the Jose Marti Park. He served as Italian Consular Agent for more than twenty years. Joe Schiro is a natural born athlete with a Presently he serves as Chairman of the gentle personality that belies his massive Board of the Columbia Bank of Tampa. strength. Joe's athletic career spans fifty years. This highly succesful buinessman was Among the missing, who departed in recent selected for the Bowling Association's Hall years, is one of the most respected citizens of Fame. of the Italian Colony, Frank Falsone, C.P.A. He was a native of Ybor City and throughout his life he demonstrated his community interest and love for county.

Tony Guida is no longer with us, but he will be remembered as that nice, little man who nearly lost his life in , and returned home with a disabled right arm. Tony was in love with his county - America - and lived a life dedicated to the American Flag and what it stood for.