Loggia Glen Cove No. 1016 Order Sons of Italy in America

LOGGIA 1016 HISTORY

The Beginning | Loggia 1016 is Founded | Loggia 1016 Florishes
The Beginning
Four and a half million Italians entered the United States between 1880 and 1920 contributing to the growth and vitality of our "Nation of Immigrants." Prior to 1880 the majority of immigrants entering the United States had come from northern and western Europe. The new arrivals, who were primarily Italian, Jewish and eastern European, frequently found America to be less than hospitable. Many of those who had arrived in America earlier claimed that the new immigrants were less skilled and less able to adjust to their new way of life. Although historians have shown there was no basis for these claims, Italians were frequently faced with overt discrimination in the job and housing markets, by governmental agencies, social welfare organizations and even in educational and religious institutions.

To help deal with their difficult circumstances and to maintain their culture and traditions the new immigrants formed social clubs and mutual aid societies. The Order Sons of Italy in America was formed by Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro with the assistance of Giuseppe Carlino, Ludovico Ferrari, Antonio Marzullo, Robert Merlo and Pietro Viscardi in 1905. The national site of the Supreme Lodge was in Manhattan until the mid 1950s when it was then moved to Philadelphia. In 1981 the office of the Supreme Lodge was relocated to its current location in Washington, DC. A history of OSIA can be found on the national site at https://www.osia.org/culture/index.php. A history of Italian imagration is available on the United States Citizenship site.

Loggia 1016 is Founded
In the late 1800's and early 1900's Glen Cove was a small city surrounded by large wealthy estates that populated Long Island's "Gold Coast." Skilled Italian workers moved to Glen Cove to work on the construction and maintenance of these estates. Many of the Italians who first settled in Glen Cove came from an area east of Naples, in the Italian province of Avellino, and in particular, the City of Sturno. Angelo Cocchiolo and his family where among the group who came to Glen Cove from Sturno. They arrived in 1899 after receiving favorable correspondence from friends and relatives who had already established themselves in the Glen Cove area. Twenty years after arriving, the Cocchiolo family opened a landmark restaurant in the Orchard section of Glen Cove called Stango's. Stango's restaurant was next to the Orchard House which was the center of the Italian community prior to the Second World War. The Orchard House served as a residence for new Italian immigrants and a place for social gatherings and community meetings. By 1920 the Italian community in Glen Cove had reached a sizable population.

On April 10, 1920, Long Island's first OSIA lodge, Loggia Glen Cove, was formed in City of Glen Cove by Giuseppe A. Nigro. Guiseppe immigrated from Sturno when he was a teenager and within a few years time opened a coal and lumber yard in Glen Cove. Joining Giuseppe were ten other Italian-Americans: Charles Anzalone, Carmine Caggiano, Vincent Gambino, Angelo Genova, Antonio Grazioso, Domenick Izzo, Arcangelo Macedonia, Pasquale Nigro, Giuseppe Sanfratello and Giuseppe Trimarchi. Instrumental to the inception of the lodge was Carmine Cacchiola who was was also active in the New York State Grand Lodge and was the OSIA National Deputy for the State of New Jersey. The ceremony to officially open the lodge was held in the Orchard House and was attended by the Italian ambassador, the Mayor of Glen Cove and other dignitaries. Members of Loggia Glen Cove have been a catalyst in the formation of other OSIA lodges on Long Island and a number of the region's lodges trace their roots back to Loggia Glen Cove. From the start Loggia Glen Cove welcomed women into its ranks and many of the women in the lodge have held and currently hold leadership positions.

Loggia 1016 Florishes
While the basic tenets of the organization have remained constant over the years, the lodge has also addressed the current needs and wishes of its members. Early in the lodge's history there was a focus on promoting and assisting members in gaining American citizenship. Immediately after World War II, the lodge membership made an effort to assist Italy recover from the war. In 1948, Loggia 1016 led a local effort to bolster the Christian Democratic Party in Italy as the Communist Party gains were viewed with increasing concern. Other groups and organizations followed the lodge's lead in aiding the Christian Democrats during the Italian elections.

Over the last 80 years Loggia Glen Cove has had many homes in Glen Cove. In 1948 the Sons of Italy Hall was built on Cedar Swamp Road but four years later the building was destroyed by fire.

In 1985 members of the lodge purchased two buildings so that they would again have their own facilities. These adjoining buildings, located at 69 Glen Street, were refurbished by the members and now serve as headquarters for the Order Sons of Italy in America Loggia Glen Cove. General member meetings and officer meetings are each held once a month. Committee meetings, educational and cultural programs and social activities and events take place in the hall throughout the year.

Today Loggia Glen Cove continues its proud tradition of contributing to the community, fighting Italian defamation and preserving Italian culture and tradition, while the vitality of the lodge is sustained by members new and old representing different generations of Italian-Americans.
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