"Little Italy" of Rhode Island
Today, the neighborhood of Federal Hill is known for its Italian restaurants, delis, and bakeries.
But it wasn't always that way...the Irish were there first
The Irish came over from Ireland to Rhode Island and Providence as early as the mid-seventeenth century.
1850's: Started to call Federal Hill their home
1870: Irish church St. John's built on Atwells Avenue
1880: Predominantly Irish neighborhood, but Italians began moving in
The Irish in Providence began making strides towards becoming more skilled
"No Irish need apply" began to dissipate
Became masons, carpenters, plumbers
Began getting jobs on railroads, street cars, and in public utility employment
Joined unions in Providence: AFL and the Knights of Labor
1850's: Started to call Federal Hill their home
1870: Irish church St. John's built on Atwells Avenue
1880: Predominantly Irish neighborhood, but Italians began moving in
The Irish in Providence began making strides towards becoming more skilled
"No Irish need apply" began to dissipate
Became masons, carpenters, plumbers
Began getting jobs on railroads, street cars, and in public utility employment
Joined unions in Providence: AFL and the Knights of Labor
How and why were the Irish displaced on Federal Hill?
The process of the Irish leaving, or being forced out, was a
complex one, with multiple factors culminating in the Italians taking over as
the main inhabitants. These factors include a rise in socio-economic status by
some Irish, the knowledge and foresight by many Irish families that their
businesses could not exist, or co-exist with the Italians, due to many cultural
differences, as well the common geographical mobility that many ethnic groups
were known to do.
complex one, with multiple factors culminating in the Italians taking over as
the main inhabitants. These factors include a rise in socio-economic status by
some Irish, the knowledge and foresight by many Irish families that their
businesses could not exist, or co-exist with the Italians, due to many cultural
differences, as well the common geographical mobility that many ethnic groups
were known to do.
The Irish on Federal Hill
The Rise in Socio-economic Status
Irish Intuition and Cultural Differences
Geographic Mobility
Irish Neighborhood Now
Rt. 6/10 construction
New highways
Tefft St., which became Arthur St., the Balboa St., now is DePasquale Square
Acorn St. is alleyway now - Tony's Colonial, Federal Hill liquor store
Murphy St. is Walgreen's Parking lot
McAvoy St. is an alleyway with no businesses
The lone Irish landmark or business is Tammany Hall on Atwells Ave.
New highways
Tefft St., which became Arthur St., the Balboa St., now is DePasquale Square
Acorn St. is alleyway now - Tony's Colonial, Federal Hill liquor store
Murphy St. is Walgreen's Parking lot
McAvoy St. is an alleyway with no businesses
The lone Irish landmark or business is Tammany Hall on Atwells Ave.
Problems with Research
Time constraints with work
Hours of operation of the repositories
Procrastination
Putting ideas together
Hours of operation of the repositories
Procrastination
Putting ideas together