Italian immigration to the United States is a story of resilience, adaptation, and success. By the 1920s and 1930s, Italian immigrants and their descendants had become integral to the fabric of American society. Despite the challenges they faced upon arrival—such as the language barrier and cultural adjustments—Italian Americans thrived, particularly in industries like labor, politics, and business. Notable Italian Americans such as New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and baseball legend Joe DiMaggio paved the way for others to rise to prominence.
World War II marked a turning point for Italian Americans, with nearly a million serving in the U.S. military and contributing to the war effort on the home front. After the war, Italian Americans began to experience even greater upward social mobility, making strides in science, entertainment, and politics. Figures like physicist Enrico Fermi and singer Frank Sinatra became symbols of Italian American achievement, while today, Italian Americans are represented in every facet of American society, including politics, the arts, and even the Supreme Court.
Italians in Pittsburgh: How they made a mark in the Steel City
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, may not be the first city that comes to mind when discussing Italian immigration, but its Italian enclaves played a significant role in shaping the region. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a wave of Italians arrived in Pittsburgh, particularly from southern Italy. Economic hardship and political instability in Italy pushed many Italians to seek a better life abroad, and Pittsburgh, with its booming industrial sector, offered opportunities for work and upward mobility.
Unlike some immigrants, most Italians who came to Pittsburgh had little intention of returning to Italy. They viewed Pittsburgh as a land of opportunity where they could create a better life for their families. By the late 1800s, Italian immigrants began settling in downtown Pittsburgh, but as the city expanded, they relocated to nearby neighborhoods like Bloomfield, East Liberty, and the Hill District.
Bloomfield, in particular, became known as Pittsburgh's "Little Italy." It attracted Italian immigrants who worked in steel mills, coal mines, and railroads. Many of these immigrants maintained close ties with their families in Italy, which led to a phenomenon known as chain migration. As one family member immigrated, others followed, creating tightly-knit Italian communities throughout Pittsburgh.
Italian Communities in Pittsburgh: From Bloomfield to Forgotten Little Italy
Bloomfield remains the heart of Pittsburgh’s Italian community. Italian immigrants began arriving in large numbers in the late 1800s and helped shape the neighborhood into the thriving community it is today. They established the Immaculate Conception Parish in 1905, which became a religious and cultural center for the local Italian population. After World War II, a second wave of Italian immigrants arrived in Bloomfield, many from the Abruzzi region, further solidifying the area’s Italian roots.
But Bloomfield wasn’t the only enclave of Italians in Pittsburgh. Italians in Pittsburgh also settled in neighborhoods like Oakland, East Liberty, Larimer, and the Lower Hill District. One lesser-known area was Hayes, or “Forgotten Little Italy,” where Italians from the town of Controne near Naples settled in the 1920s. Many of these immigrants worked in the Jones and Laughlin steel mills, and their community became known for its strong Italian culture and annual Feast of the Assumption celebrations.
Unfortunately, the development of a major highway in the 1960s devastated the Hayes community, displacing much of the population. Despite this, the Italian enclaves of Pittsburgh have left a lasting mark on the city.
Forgotten Little Italys: Two Italian Immigrant Communities in Pennsylvania
Italian immigrants, in search of better opportunities, established vibrant communities across the United States. Some of these Italian neighborhoods, once thriving hubs of culture and commerce, have largely been forgotten. In Pennsylvania, two such neighborhoods stand out: Hays in Pittsburgh and Roseto in Northampton County. These lesser-known "Little Italys" offer fascinating glimpses into the Italian immigrant experience and have left a lasting impact on the state, even if their visibility has faded over time.
Hays: Pittsburgh’s Hidden Italian Community
Nestled on the southeast side of Pittsburgh, Hays was originally settled in 1789 as Six Mile Ferry Village. Its later transformation into an industrial hub began when James H. Hays opened a coal mining operation in 1828. The neighborhood quickly grew around the mining industry, and by the 1920s, Hays had become home to a large Italian immigrant population, many of whom hailed from Controne, a small town in southern Italy.
Controne, a picturesque town in the Campania region near Naples, is known for its medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and the famous Controne bean. The town’s inhabitants had historically faced invasions and hardships, leading many to seek new lives abroad. Those who settled in Hays found work in the local steel mills operated by Jones & Laughlin and US Steel, becoming an integral part of Pittsburgh’s industrial workforce.
Hays, like many immigrant neighborhoods, quickly developed a strong cultural identity. Italian traditions were deeply ingrained in the community. Most local businesses were owned by Italian-Americans, and Holy Angels Church offered Sunday Mass in Italian. The neighborhood’s Italian Club was among the largest in Pittsburgh, and the annual Feast of the Assumption celebrations, complete with fireworks, drew thousands of attendees from across the city.
However, Hays' Italian identity faced a series of challenges in the mid-20th century. The construction of a superhighway in the late 1960s devastated the community, cutting through the heart of the neighborhood. Hundreds of residents lost their homes, and key landmarks, including the Hays Hotel and Restaurant, the Italian Club, and several local businesses, were lost. Local historian Joe Falce lamented the impact, stating that if not for the highway, “Hays would be a ‘Little Italy’ just like the better-known Bloomfield.”
Further compounding the decline, the Hays Army Ammunition Plant, which had been a major employer during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, closed, leading to a dramatic population drop. By the 1970s, Hays’ population had been reduced by 80%, and today, the neighborhood is home to around 400 residents, many of them descendants of the original Italian immigrants.
Though Hays may no longer be the bustling Italian neighborhood it once was, its legacy lives on through its residents and the stories they share. Holy Angels Church remains a symbol of the area’s Italian roots, and the memories of the community’s vibrant cultural past are still passed down through generations.
Controne, Italy: The Hays Connection
Controne, the birthplace of many Hays immigrants, has its own rich history. Situated in the mountains near the Calore River, the town’s medieval origins are still visible in its architecture and layout. Historically, Controne was a place where locals fled to escape invaders, from Greek settlers in nearby Poseidonia to Saracen pirates in the 9th century. The town’s name, derived from the Greek contra elion—meaning "against the sun"—reflects its geographical position, sheltered from the harsh sun by the Alburni Mountains.
Today, Controne is perhaps best known for its unique variety of bean, the fagiolo di Controne. This bean, celebrated for its thin skin and delicate flavor, plays a central role in the town’s annual food festival, which attracts visitors from across Italy. The fertile soil and abundant water from nearby springs make Controne an ideal location for farming, and its culinary tradition has helped keep the town on the map despite its small size.
For the Italian immigrants who left Controne in the early 20th century, moving to Pittsburgh and settling in Hays represented a major shift, but they carried with them their traditions, cuisine, and community spirit, which helped shape the Hays neighborhood into the Italian enclave it became.
Roseto: A Borough with a Unique Legacy
On the other side of Pennsylvania, in Northampton County, lies Roseto, a small borough with a big story. Named after Roseto Valfortore, a town in the Apulia region of southern Italy, this close-knit community of Italian immigrants became famous not just for its cultural preservation but for what researchers dubbed the “Roseto Effect.”
The first Italian immigrants arrived in Roseto in 1882, drawn by work in the local slate quarries. Over time, the town developed into a nearly self-contained Italian enclave, with 95% of its population in the 1970s still being descendants of the original settlers from Roseto Valfortore.
Roseto’s fame spread in the 1960s when a local doctor and researchers from the University of Oklahoma discovered that the town’s residents had unusually low rates of heart disease, despite their seemingly unhealthy lifestyle. Men over 55 were experiencing heart disease at half the national average, even though many smoked, drank wine freely, and consumed diets rich in meat and cheese. The phenomenon was attributed not to genetics or diet, but to the strong social bonds within the community.
The Roseto Effect revealed that the town’s tight-knit social structure, where extended families lived close together, elders were respected, and there was little social competition, contributed to reduced stress and, consequently, better heart health. This discovery was significant, as it underscored the importance of social cohesion and community support in maintaining health, offering valuable lessons for public health research.
In subsequent decades, however, as Roseto became more "Americanized" and its social structure loosened, heart disease rates rose to match those of neighboring towns, confirming the researchers' predictions. The Roseto Effect remains a notable case study in sociology and cardiology, highlighting how communal ties can have a direct impact on physical well-being.
Roseto Valfortore: A Town of Emigrants
Like Controne, Roseto Valfortore is a small Italian town with a long history. Located in the Daunian Mountains, the town is known for its scenic beauty, stone churches, and windmill-covered hills. Much of the town’s population left during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking better opportunities in the United States.
Despite the mass emigration, Roseto Valfortore has remained an important part of the Italian cultural heritage, and its influence on the Pennsylvania town that bears its name is still felt today. The strong family-oriented culture that defined Roseto, Pennsylvania, has its roots in the traditions of this Apulian village.
The Legacy of Pennsylvania’s Forgotten Little Italys
Though the Italian immigrant communities of Hays and Roseto may not be as well-known as other Little Italys across the United States, their stories are integral to Italian-American history. In Hays, the destruction wrought by urban development and the closure of industrial plants could not erase the memories of a once-thriving Italian neighborhood. Meanwhile, Roseto’s unique contribution to medical and sociological research demonstrates the lasting impact of immigrant communities beyond their cultural and culinary contributions.
These communities, though quieter now, hold invaluable lessons about the powerful influence of Italian traditions on the shaping of American society. Although their prominence may have diminished over time, the legacy of these forgotten Little Italys continues to inspire and inform us today.
The Role of Faith and Cuisine in Pittsburgh’s Italian Community
The Italian immigrants who settled in Pittsburgh were primarily Catholic, and their faith played a central role in their lives. They established parishes like Madonna del Castello in Swissvale and Madonna of Jerusalem in Sharpsburg to serve as centers of worship and community. Although some churches have since closed, these parishes were cornerstones of Italian Catholic life in Pittsburgh for many years.
One aspect of Italian culture that Pittsburghers readily embraced was the cuisine. Despite the discrimination many Italian immigrants faced, their food became a beloved part of the city’s culinary landscape. The famous Primanti Brothers sandwich—made with Mancini’s bread, meat, coleslaw, and French fries—was created by Italian descendants and has become synonymous with Pittsburgh cuisine. Bloomfield also became home to longstanding Italian restaurants like Tambolini’s and Dell’s, and Italian grocery stores like Donatelli’s and Groceria Italiana continue to serve the community today.
In the Strip District, Italian specialty stores like Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, Jimmy’s Sunseri, and Enrico Biscotti offer a taste of Italy to locals and visitors alike. The annual Little Italy Days Festival in Bloomfield celebrates Italian culture with food, music, and entertainment, and Pittsburgh’s Columbus Day Parade is another proud tradition honoring Italian American contributions to the city.
Italian American Contributions to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s Italian American community has produced many notable figures over the years. Richard Caligiuri, Pittsburgh’s 54th mayor, Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, and crooner Perry Como are just a few of the city’s Italian American icons. Franco Harris, the legendary Steelers fullback, was the son of an Italian mother and African American father, and his fan base, “Franco’s Italian Army,” became famous in the 1970s.
Pittsburgh also proudly displays its Italian heritage at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, where the Italian Nationality Room was dedicated in 1949. The room’s ceiling is adorned with gold rosettes and an architrave inscribed with the names of Italian geniuses like Galileo and Botticelli.
A Full Circle of Immigration and Contribution
The story of Italian immigration in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania is one of perseverance, community, and cultural pride. Today, the descendants of these immigrants continue to celebrate their heritage while making lasting contributions. Whether through the food they introduced, the communities they built, or the values they instilled, Italian immigrants have woven their culture into the fabric of Pennsylvania.
If you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh, make sure to visit Bloomfield, where you can experience the vibrant Italian American spirit firsthand. From the authentic Italian restaurants to the annual festivals, Pittsburgh’s Little Italy offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage that Italian immigrants brought to this city.
More about Italian Immigrants in America
Italian immigration to America – from Ellis Island to today
Italian American food
Italian Americans in the United States, and the Italian Enclaves
Please leave your comment here. Your feedback is important!