Immigration to the United States is deeply imbedded, and has played a significant role, in our country’s history. Many of those who immigrated to the United States departed countries that were suffering both economically and socially,

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, thousands of Italians immigrated to America. It is estimated that more than two-thirds of these Italian immigrants were farm or other occupational laborers and the remaining were skilled craftsmen, including carpenters, brick layers, stone masons, tailors, and barbers. Many were referred to as “birds of passage” because they intended to stay in America long enough to make enough money to return to Italy with the hopes of purchasing land and improving their lives.

Interestingly, only about one in four returned to Italy.

Hundreds of the Italian immigrants entering America ultimately migrated to the Groton area. Many found work at local granite quarries in Groton, Waterford and Westerly and at Groton’s Eastern Shipbuilding Company (subsequently the New London Ship and Engine Company and now the Electric Boat Corporation). Some also found work on the many farms in the area.

Additionally, around the turn of the century, as many as 300 Italian stonemasons, carpenters and horticulturists were recruited by millionaire Morton Plant to construct his mansion, gardens and other buildings on his estate at Avery Point in Groton. They also worked at Plant’s dairy and poultry farms in Groton which were named the Branford Farms.

Italian immigrants in Groton soon established what is often referred to as the “Little Italy” neighborhood in the Borough of Groton (now called the City) near the Eastern Shipbuilding Company. For those who are unfamiliar with the area, it encompasses many of the streets and roads in and around what is known as the “five corners,” where Dunkin’ Donuts and the Subway sandwich shop are currently located.

The “Little Italy” community provided the inhabitants an environment where they could speak the same language, recognize people from the homeland, share the same culture, identity, customs, traditions, heritage and history.

Most of Groton’s Italian immigrants were of the Catholic religion and, prior to 1912, the only church of that denomination was located in New London. Catholic services were held at makeshift spaces in the waiting room of the old Ferry House on Thames Street, the old Odd Fellows building on School Street (which now houses the Submarine Veterans Club) and the Town Hall on Fort Hill Road. In 1911, Morton Plant, feeling that the Italians working on his estate deserved an appropriate place to worship, donated land across from the shipyard on Eastern Point Road and sufficient money to build the new Sacred Heart Catholic church.

In April 1928, in an effort to assist fellow Italians in obtaining their citizenship, several Groton Italians who had become citizens, established and incorporated the Italian-American Citizen’s Club of Groton. Membership was restricted to males of Italian descent in the Town of Groton.

The articles of association for the organization state: “The purpose of this corporation shall be to promote the political rights, welfare and interest of the Italian-Americans of the Town of Groton and to help, aid, and assist those Italians who have not yet become naturalized to become citizens of the United States.”

The names of the individuals signing the Italian Club’s Incorporation document reads like a “Who’s Who” of the Groton Italian community: Domenico Zeppieri, Giacomo Andriola, Cosmo Gentile, John S. Cafaro, Vincenzo Fusconi, Harry Orlando, Rocco Pennella and Calogero DeLauro.

The Italian Club’s first meeting facilities were located in rented spaces on the second floor above the former First National Food Store in the Piro Building on the triangular piece of property located at Poquonnock Road, Eastern Point Road and John Street, near the Catholic Church.

In April 1936, Nicholas Apicelli, a member of the club, donated land on Mitchell Street, near the present Sacred Heart Church Drive, to build a new Italian-American Citizens Club house which still stands today.

The building was constructed by brothers Louie and Guido Frattali, who were also members of the club. With the assistance of many other club members, the building was completed in record time and a special “grand opening” celebration was held on New Year’s Eve that year.

The new clubhouse contained a grand hall on the upper level and a smaller meeting/gathering room on the lower level. Much of the money needed to keep the club in good financial order was obtained from membership fees and rental of the hall.

Of interest is the fact that in 1938 there were various fees associated with the rentals: dance, $12 (plus police protection); card party and social, $7; shower (without dancing), $5; shower (with dancing), $7. The rental fees charged today are quite simple: $315 for the hall and $250 for the downstairs meeting room. Still a good price by today’s standards.

In May 1962, the club purchased a sizable piece of property abutting the club. On this property a large bocce ball court was constructed, an Italian game similar to lawn bowling. The games were often very lively and sometimes contentious.

The bocce ball court has since been removed.

In conducting research for this article, I also learned that in January 1955 an Italian-American Women’s Club was established in Groton. Its stated purpose was to promote the social, physical, moral and educational conditions of its members and of the community.

Over the years, the Italian Club, like so many other social and fraternal clubs and organizations in the area, experienced a sharp decline in membership and club participation. Many of the “old timers” had either passed away or no longer had the energy or enthusiasm to participate in club activities. After careful consideration and, in the interest of the club’s survival, the club’s officers voted to alter their by-laws to permit those who were not of direct Italian descent to join as associate members.

The club’s mission statement was also modified from “assisting Italians to become citizens of the United States” to “Preserving, and promoting Italian culture, history, and traditions through social interaction within the community, regardless of religion or political beliefs.” These by-law changes have contributed to increasing the numbers of new members and have also brought newly found energy to the club.

Groton’s Italians have contributed a great deal to our country and community. They indeed deserve a special chapter in the history of Groton.

The following individuals contributed to this article: Louis Franciosi, Vic Peropat and John Santacroce.

Jim Streeter is the Groton town historian.