A look back at the old neighborhood
Italian Harlem, one could say that the district was an accident '. Formerly known as "Little Italy in East Harlem" is known, was between 104 and 119 Street, from Third Avenue on the East River, and once teemed with Italian immigrants run businesses. Since their arrival, many generations before, the Italians would take advantage of business opportunities, through small businesses, independent and family. Bread,Fruit and vegetable shops, grocery stores, funeral homes, restaurants, the distribution of coal and ice, tiles and marbles, sweet shops, restaurants, pizzerias and barber shops began to proliferate throughout the Italian Harlem, especially during the '40s and '50s. Italian Harlem, with all its small business was flourishing economically. It was full and so well attended as never before and until the late '50s.
The streets crawled with people that the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood devastatedcontinuously. In the midst of the congestion that the sidewalks and the streets were filled with familiar sight of the Italian manufacturers show their wares from carts along First Avenue bounded by 107 to 116 Road. These suppliers have been content for the annual feast of Mount Caramel, where thousands had come to the festival food and games, bands and dancing, a parade from the streets of the Madonna districts, where a fireworks display launched with prayers to enjoy the Life explodestowards the sky. The celebration of the dance of the Giglio on 106th Street was also the key to this Harlemites Italian.
You could not escape through the divine, irresistible, enticing aroma of Italian cuisine as well as the summer breeze from the many cafes and small restaurants along Market Street. The cafes were the neighborhood meeting places, filled with lively chatter, laughter and cigar smoke through the steaming coffee and rich desserts. DistributedNeighborhood, they heard the shouts and laughter of children and young people actively involved in street games. While there are many games, the street children of the neighborhood was in conversation with over the years, like marbles, jumping jacks, jump rope, handball and more stick-ball a favorite pastime. This game was popular since the turn of the 20 Century, especially among working-class Italian families, like most of the poor, with little money to spare.It 'was the best game. Children played on the road until the evening, much to the relief of everyone. Mothers welcomed the warm weather to get kids out of their overcrowded homes, but the Italian fathers did not agree. They believed that the game is a waste of time, children need to find a job and contribute to the welfare of the family.
Stick-ball was an early version of "Baseball", the "poor baseball." It 'was the rage in the years 1930 and 1940 in the streetsNew York. All players need a stick and a rubber ball. Originally, the stick-Ball was the mother used a broomstick for a bat. It would get recorded until a better grip. The fire escapes were surrounding their stands and bases were manhole covers. You should have seen the expression of joy on their faces when they rubber ball with the broom handle with all the power would be shot. It 'was an emotional moment for the fly ball high and it might be because they seetheir bets in the process. Stick-ball was one of the most sought after games in East Harlem. Nostalgic older adults have tried to revive this game, but at a much slower pace. For 21 years, the "father / son Stick Ball Game" each year on Pleasant Avenue in East Harlem was held.
For the children of "Little Italy", the roads were in their territory, up to a park with two playgrounds, two gyms, spas and comfort stations were provided by the cityOctober 7, 1905. Playing fields as a tool to get kids off the road, away from harmful influences invented. The park facilities were expanded in 1930 with the opening of public swimming pools and bowling greens. Bowls was a favorite pastime of the early Italian immigrants. The game was brought to North America by Italian immigrants. Many of the Italians were working in demanding physical work, especially in the construction industry. Since this sport requires little effort andoffered a considerable pleasure, it was very popular in Italian Harlem. The first bowling green in New York City parks were set up by Mayor La Guardia in 1934 to Thomas Jefferson Park in Manhattan, in the heart of what was then a predominantly Italian neighborhood. The locals call them "Italian park", although it has been called the "Thomas Jefferson Park" is located at 112 ° Street and East River Drive. Adjacent to the park, the school was built in 1942 by Benjamin Franklinand not only open to local Italian students, but other ethnic groups in the area. Both places have their own stories, add to the rich range of pages, known Italian Harlem, troubled history. For more information about this time, read my story, "Crusin 'The 50 is a bird in East Harlem."
The Italian community has always been fiercely defending what they believed. It was their park, their neighborhood, their "Little Italy" as the crowded tenementEast Harlem district was then known. Italian Harlem was a small village in a big city.
In 1930, Italian Harlem was the most densely populated area of Manhattan, with the largest colony of Italian-Americans in the United States with a population of 100,000 or more.
Bonding
The Italian life in Harlem during the thirties and forties, was full of neighbors and community care. Italian brave, despite discrimination,Hardships and sufferings adapted to the new environment. They promoted and celebrated their culture and religious holidays, customs handed down by generations of immigrant ancestors, once the pillar of civilization in the neighborhood. It was a place where enduring relationships are formed continuously. It was so strong this feeling of closeness that many families and their descendants would remain there forever.
Simple pleasures of life
TheDistrict has brought families and friends. It 'was like any other old Italian neighborhood. There was a great affection and respect for each other. The Italians are members of the family, the simple things in life, to give them a great joy, like a walk in the streets and greeting with a friendly "Hello, How are you?" (Hello, how are you) only to hear: "I'm fine, please." (I'm fine, thanks.) Love you talk to the neighbors of China and doors. As if it wereunbearably hot in the housing, cover, and bring on the asphalt roof and a picnic. A common sight in the summer the children saw a cooling in water gushing from a hydrant open. Above all, they simply enjoyed gathering around the kitchen table drinking homemade wine, coffee, eat, drink or play cards with their families and friends. Most of their conversations were mostly to the table where the food was always present.
The music speaks morethe Italian character. The family liked to sing, dance and local music. Open house party for friends and friends of friends' and relatives were still going around the neighborhood, run full of mandolin, accordion and sing-a-long pieces of work of popular or talented amateurs.
As time marched on, this vibrant, close-knit culture would be torn apart by "progress", but that part of the Italian American heritage in East Harlem, along withImportance of family and community, will be covered in Part 2 of this three-part series!
