Sicilians in Racine

When people think of Racine history and groups of people who came over from the "old country", they usually think of Danes, Germans, Poles, etc. However, during the first half of the 20th century, there was a thriving community of Sicilians who lived and worked in Racine ...

A grandson of a former Racine resident wrote: "…My grandfather and his brothers and sisters emigrated from Sicily to Racine in 1904-1913. My father and all of his family and cousins were born in Racine, WI. In 1947 my grandfather moved his family out to CA, where I was born. The closest I've been to Racine is O'Hare airport in Chicago. My dad lived on LaFayette Ave. (today's N. Memorial Drive)." (carecupero@hotmail.com)

Here is a pic of my dad in the snow in their front yard. This 2nd pic is of he and his brother. In the background there is a smoke stack, water tower, and the roof of a train station. Both of these pics are from the early 1940's.

This next picture is something that amazed me when I first saw it. It's not very good quality, but near the center of the pic is my great grandmother. I had no idea that she ever came over from Sicily.

(Picture taken on Winslow Street, Racine, Wisconsin, circa 1920)