ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS

The Changing Geography of Italian Immigrants in the
United States: A Case Study of the Ironbound Colony
Newark, New Jersey
by William J.E. Bolen, Ph.D.

Dissertation Director:  Professor Peter 0. Wacker

Geographical change over time and the impact of Italian immigrants on transforming the cultural landscape are the major themes of this dissertation, intended to fill a void in geographical knowledge on immigrant groups.

The mass exodus of millions of people from Italy to the U.S. and the group's propensity for urban destinations are considered from a masco-perspective, while an "urban village" colony is explored at a micro-scale. Newark, New Jersey, and its industrialized Ironbound district are targeted for in-depth analysis. 

The Ironbound colony is reconstructed both in terms of economic and demographic factors, and an attempt is made to evaluate the human aspects of daily life in a
"Little Italy" at the turn of the century.   Primary source materials, including city directories, manuscript census returns, and newspapers are used extensively. Italians/ as a group, were not found to be living under any worse conditions than other ethnic groups in the study area about the turn of the century.  Moreover, the hypothesis that industrial opportunities alone "pulled" Italians into the Ironbound was not substantiated.  Most Italian immigrants were employed in service or construction oriented occupations.

A growth model is used to trace colony development and the process of neighborhood change is explored wherein Italians displaced the earlier Irish and were in turn succeeded by other, groups.   Paradoxically, the colony was reported to be a "nice" place'' in which to live, but turnover rates approached 90 percent.   It served as a "staging area" that was viable only as long as new immigrants replaced those moving on.

Transported cultural traits, including attitudes toward education, religion, public health, and intergroup relations are considered in terms of geographical change. Transformation of the cultural landscape is investigated in terms of toponyms, architecture, and other relicts dating from the period of Italian dominance.  Emphasis again is placed on little used primary materials such as building permits, deeds, and assessment records.  A major conclusion of the study is that Italian immigrants over time did indeed impart a portion of their culture on the landscape in this country.