BIG ITALY - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland HistoryBIG ITALY was Cleveland's first major Italian settlement and the
center of the city's produce markets. In the late 1890s, Italians settled in the
HAYMARKET along Woodland near the city center. By 1900
this formerly Jewish area was 93% Sicilian. Among the early settlers were Frank
Catalano and G. V. Vittorio, who set up an Italian products-importing business
and produce stand (see FRANK CATALANO & SON). Such
ethnic entrepreneurs popularized oranges, bananas, figs, olive oil, anchovies,
and garlic in Cleveland. To serve the needs of the large Italian Catholic
population, ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH was established on
Ohio St. (now Central Ave.) in 1887. As the Italian population of the
neighborhood diminished, the parish eventually merged with St. Bridget's at E.
22nd and Scovill. (St. Bridget's moved to Parma in 1956.)
Last Modified: 21 Jul 2003 11:34:23 AM
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