A Little Bit About Waterbury
and Her Italians
It has been estimated that Waterbury will decrease in population by nearly 500 people between the end of last year, and the end of this year. This figure includes people who move in or are born in the City, and people who leave or residents who die in the City.
A recent estimate claims that 59% of the people in Waterbury are white, while 20% are black. The other 11% either couldn't figure out the answer to the question, or confused the auditors. However, since there is only one race left - for those people who still denegrate humans into races - and it is doubtful that there is any significant Mongoloid population in Waterbury. Therefore, the actual figures may be 71% white, 29% black.
A recent estimate claims that 59% of the people in Waterbury are white, while 20% are black. The other 11% either couldn't figure out the answer to the question, or confused the auditors. However, since there is only one race left - for those people who still denegrate humans into races - and it is doubtful that there is any significant Mongoloid population in Waterbury. Therefore, the actual figures may be 71% white, 29% black.
there is any significant Mongoloid population in Waterbury. Therefore, the actual figures may be 71% white, 29% black.
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The single largest claimed heritage in Waterbury is 22.6% "pure" Italian, and 38.6% with a quarter or more heritage from the Mediterranean "boot". The number of people who "identify" as being Italian in Waterbury is a staggering 43,232. By percent of population, Waterbury ranks as the 29th most Italian city in Connecticut, by populous, Waterbury is second only to Stamford. By some, this puts the Brass City at the top of the most Italian list in the state, which has been given the distinction of the most Italian state in the country since 2013. However, some contend that New Haven puts Waterbury in 2nd place. Of the Italians in Waterbury, an estimated 58.9% draw their heritage from Avigliano, Potenza, Basilicata, Italia, while 21.7% descend from Pontelandolfo, Benevento, Campobasso, Italia. These figures do not include the former Italian islands or states,
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such as Albania despite a mass exodus of Albanians to Italy and other countries thirty years ago. However, there is no way to determine if any of the claimed Italians of Waterbury hale from a previous exodus from Albania to Italy 534 years ago.
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The Albanian population in Waterbury is one of the fastest growing. They now number about 3,000, which translates to about 2.5%, despite much higher claims of over 7,000 by some of their people. The confusion may lie in a statistic which indicates that Albanians represent 8.7% of the foreign-born population of Waterbury.
The Italians also rank among the highest voting population, yielding about 60% of the votes in any election. The average turnout in the City is about 21%, but the Italian-dominated precincts typically surpass 54%. Waterburians are about 2-years younger than the national average. The population has increased by an average of 653 people per year over the most recent 150 years, although the period between 1880 and 1930 experienced significantly higher growths. |
The City, like many others throughout the country, is experiencing significant financial hardship. Unlike most of the rest of the country, Waterbury's demise is largely due to the decay of abundance of manufacturing opportunities. Additionally, the City has experienced corruption and mismanagement for the better part of a century (starting in 1940). The City's Police Department is tasked with managing 110,000 people daily - more during mass tourism - with fewer than 270 Police Officers.
Of significance in Waterbury is the excessively successful brass industry of past decades, the Flood of '55, Holy Land, and the great Italian Festivals. There are 2 noteworthy Italian festivals in Waterbury - the Pontelandolfo Community Club's Festa di san Donato, and the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Both are largely feasts.
No festival in New England can rival the Italian festivals of past which were catalyzed by the Aviglianese population of the City. According to a local newspaper, the festival enjoyed over 1.2 million visitors per day for each of the 4 days of the event. This was truly a festival, with food from dozens of vendors, live music at the carousel, a grease pole event, contests, dozens of amusement rides, fireworks each night - culminating to the highlight of the summer, the best and longest lasting fireworks display anywhere. The location - Lakewood Park - borders the Pontelandolfo Community Club, host of the Festa di san Donato, and was typically held within 2 weeks of the "Ponte Feast". Many people often confuse the 2, but the Aviglianese festival was held at Lakewood Park and hosted by the Italian Heritage Society, and the Ponte feast is held and hosted by the Pontelandolfese people. The festivals concurred for at least 12 years.
The Festi di san Donato attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, and promises to continue that tradition indefinitely. The Aviglianese Italian Festival was discontinued largely due to ethnic tensions which were created by scattered groups of thugs, and a largely unsupportive Mayor. The festival left Lakewood Park for Hamilton park for 2 years, then moved out to Lake Quassapaug, but neither event matched the success of the original location, mainly since many of the people of Avigliano descent lived near Lakewood Park.
Of significance in Waterbury is the excessively successful brass industry of past decades, the Flood of '55, Holy Land, and the great Italian Festivals. There are 2 noteworthy Italian festivals in Waterbury - the Pontelandolfo Community Club's Festa di san Donato, and the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Both are largely feasts.
No festival in New England can rival the Italian festivals of past which were catalyzed by the Aviglianese population of the City. According to a local newspaper, the festival enjoyed over 1.2 million visitors per day for each of the 4 days of the event. This was truly a festival, with food from dozens of vendors, live music at the carousel, a grease pole event, contests, dozens of amusement rides, fireworks each night - culminating to the highlight of the summer, the best and longest lasting fireworks display anywhere. The location - Lakewood Park - borders the Pontelandolfo Community Club, host of the Festa di san Donato, and was typically held within 2 weeks of the "Ponte Feast". Many people often confuse the 2, but the Aviglianese festival was held at Lakewood Park and hosted by the Italian Heritage Society, and the Ponte feast is held and hosted by the Pontelandolfese people. The festivals concurred for at least 12 years.
The Festi di san Donato attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, and promises to continue that tradition indefinitely. The Aviglianese Italian Festival was discontinued largely due to ethnic tensions which were created by scattered groups of thugs, and a largely unsupportive Mayor. The festival left Lakewood Park for Hamilton park for 2 years, then moved out to Lake Quassapaug, but neither event matched the success of the original location, mainly since many of the people of Avigliano descent lived near Lakewood Park.
When Italians Were Slaves in WaterburyIn an article, titled Not Quite So Bad, "The prosecution of several Italians in Waterbury a short time ago brought to light the fact that there is an agency in that city for the purpose of Belling the labor of Italians to contractors. They are sent out in charge of an interpreter, who is connected with the agency, and who, deducts a percentage of their wages as payment to the agency for selling them. Yet we foolishly imagined that slavery was abolished in this country." - New Britain Independent. Waterbury Evening Democrat, November 5th, 1888. |
Waterbury Evening Democrat, October 23rd, 1894
Waterbury Democrat, July 11th, 1896
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Old Italian Criminals in Waterbury"Three Italians at Waterbury have been held for trial on a charge of killing fish by the use of dynamite. The cases were worked up by the Connecticut Association of Farmers and Sportsmen for the Protection of Game and Fish."
Willimantic Journal, June 28th, 1889
"A SECTION BOSS SHOT IN THS STOMACH BY AN ITALIAN LABORER.
Waterbury, Conn., August 12th, A. B Cushing, section boss of the Meriden - Waterbury - Cromwell railroad, was shot by an Italian this afternoon. Cushing was superintending a gang of laborers who were putting in a awitoh at tbe faotory of Benedict & Bnrnham. The Italian, who was not one of the workers, had been seen hanging around all day and making more or less trouble. Cushing attempted to drive him off, when the Italian drew a revolver and snot him in tne stomach. The Italian, whose name is Luigl Prenete, was captured by Irish Officers O'Brien and Waller. Prenete says Cushing assaulted him and that he drew a revolver to intimidate. He claims that Cushing grabbed the revolver, and because he did so it was disoharged. Prente is about twenty-two years of age. Cushing is a single man 21 or 22 years old, and lives at the Arlington in Meriden and is a popular man." The New Haven Daily Morning Journal and Carrier, August 13th, 1889 
Excited Italian Depositors.
Waterbury, Conn., Feb. 10.—What at one time threatened to be a serious riot was caused here by the closing of the Italian bank. After a determined effort on the part of the police the mob was dispersed. The Laramie Republican, February 10th 1894 
FAILURE LEADS TO A RIOT.
Italians at Waterbury, Conn., Causa Trouble Because of a Bank Suspension. Waterbury, Conn., Feb. 9.— at one time threatened to be a serious riot Mas caused here to-day by the closing ol the Italian Bank. A number of Italians Mho had money deposited in the institution gathered outside its doors, angrily demanding admittance and their money. Getting neither, they began to form plans for a forcible demonstration of their and ispleasure and were about to begin operations when a number of citizens, headed by tbe town po- lice, arrived on the scene. Alter a determined effort on tbe part of the po- lice and their supporters, the mob was dispersed. Several persons are said to ha ve been injured, but none seriously. The Italians are still threatening to make trouble. Watertown Republican, February 14th, 1894 
"There are two murderers at the jail awaitidg trial Joseph Colombe, who beat his wife to death in Bethany, aud .Joseph Calo, who mortally stabbed a fellow Italian at Waterbury. Colombe spends his time paciug up and down his cell like a caged beast. Calo, who is Colombe's cellmate, spends his time paciug and yawning aud chouing some Italian song."
Waterbury Evening Democrat, December 24th, 1895 
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