In 1910; Indianapolis had the smallest foreign stock population of any city north of the Ohio River; and city historians merely ignored the presence of the ethnic communities. In the 1920s; the Hoosier capital supposedly lacked a cosmopolitan character; and the Ku Klux Klan gloried in the slogan "100% American." However; the size of a community does not indicate its significance in municipal life. Rather; immigrants and their descendants make a difference because of their talents and available local opportunities. Residents of Italian origin have contributed mightily to Indianapolis's economy; culture; and professional and religious life. The first to arrive were the Sicilians who developed the city's fruit and vegetable trade and the Friulani who engaged in terrazzo-mosaic tile work. Early immigrants became grocers; shoemakers; tailors; and barbers. Later; primarily after World War II; many American-born of Italian descent moved into Indianapolis; excelling in business and professional fields; including law; medicine; and education. The community has continued to grow; adding to its numbers the Italian-born but married to American military or engaged in skilled labor in carpentry; tailoring; salesmanship; and food preparation.
#18056743 in Books 1997-12-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x 2.00 x 6.14l; .0 #File Name: 0728602415494 pages
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