The Lost Neighborhood Blog

Our First Meeting - 12/19/07

On December 19, 2007, we had our first meeting as a whole group. We discussed the purpose of the project and possible topics that we could research. We examined replicas of documents from different time periods to see which we liked best. Our group was divided into three separate sections, and we were assigned to a certain box of documents. The three boxes included documents on how Jamestown Public Schools (JPS) dealt with or handled World War I, Immigration and lastly, behavior problems and Special Education students. As a result of studying these documents we discovered that Jamestown was and still is, populated by a large number of Italian and Swedish people.

This discovery brought up the topic of the Lost Neighborhood, a ghetto (a section of a city that is thickly populated by members of an ethnic or other minority group) that was populated by a majority of Italian people. With more excitement of the topic our project grew larger and larger. Questions raced through each of our heads and we were determined to answer them. Why did this happen? Who caused it? Was it a result of the conflicts between the Swedish and Italians? No one in our group knew the answers...but we would soon find out.

Our Second Meeting -1/9/08

On January, 9, 2008, we revisited topic selection. We wrote down the possible topics on the board and took a group vote. It was unanimous that we wanted to research the Lost Neighborhood of Jamestown. We decided on this topic because it happened right here in Jamestown. Also another reason we wanted to do the Lost Neighborhood was because we still know of people who lived during that time who could possibly give us more information, even teachers here at Persell. Some of us thought it would be interesting to see what Jamestown was like before we were born. What were the people like? What jobs or careers were available? Most of all, we wanted to know wanted to know why the Lost Neighborhood was destroyed.

Our Third Meeting - 1/24/08

On January 24, Mrs. Pam Brown visited us again. We observed pictures that Mr.Kresge had received from Mr. Robert Johnston of the Trolley 93 Project. These pictures were of the Lost Neighborhood. Using these pictures, we determined that the approximate location of the neighborhood was near the current Brooklyn Square. We then observed an older Sanborn map of Jamestown to clarify this. It was interesting to see what Jamestown looked like so long ago. Looking at the Sanborn map we noticed some streets that are now non-existent, or different than they were at that time.

You can view the individual photographs sent by Mr. Johnston, as well as the Sanborn map, at our photos page. Click “View Slideshow” to see them all.

Our Fourth Meeting - 3/3/08

When we met again, we started creating a website of the Lost Neighborhood. We took all the information we had received from Mrs. Pam Brown and turned it into something for everyone to see. Our Lost Neighborhood Home page gives you a little background information on the Lost Neighborhood. The Photos page shows pictures of the Lost Neighborhood, there are pictures of houses, churches and counter stores. The blog page talks about what the we have been doing during the archive and what has been happening each time we meet. The Links and Thanks page thanks the people that have helped us create this website and the links are websites that have helped us gather information on the Lost Neighborhood. We hope that this website will give kids an insight to the past of Jamestown and the Lost Neighborhood.

In the Library - 3/10/08

In the library, while the rest of the students work on a separate research project, we have been working on our website about the Lost Neighborhood. We gathered photographs of the Lost Neighborhood, and we have made blog entries to keep people up to date on where we stand with this project. We must take turns working on the site, so in-between we are working on an abbreviated version of the research project. We are making great progress and hope to have our website completed soon.

Our Pre-Research Hypothesis - 3/11/08

After reading about the Lost Neighborhood on the marker in Brooklyn Square we hypothesized that the demolition of 150 buildings, the displacement of 125 active businesses and the forced movement of 100 families out of their homes was both unnecessary and a travesty for the people who worked and lived in that area. The urban renewal project may have meant to improve Jamestown, but they could have made Jamestown better in other ways without moving dozens of American-Italian families and businesses out out of the area. The urban renewal project helped franchises to spread to Jamestown, boosting their business. On the other hand, it hurt small, family owned and run businesses and the families living there.

Trip to the Fenton - 3/13/08

We are taking a field trip to the Fenton Museum, the local history center, to learn and ask questions about Jamestown’s Lost Neighborhood. We have several questions to ask including the urban renewal project and short and long term effects of the destruction of the many homes and businesses of the Italian-American Neighborhood. We also want to know what exactly the lost neighborhood was.

Discoveries at the Fenton - 3/13/08

Today our group traveled to the Fenton History Center. We researched through their collection of documents, photos and maps. We found helpful information in an article by Norman Carlson that detailed the early history of Brooklyn Square. We learned that the demolition of the project started with The Gifford Building in May of 1969. There were also various photos showing buildings before, during and after construction. While at the Fenton, we developed new theories of what happened to the Neighborhood that we wish to explore soon.

One thing that we noticed was how beautiful many of the building were that were torn down. Mrs. Brown of the Jamestown Public Schools Records Department told us that the prevailing thought from the late 1960’s until the country’s Bicentennial year in 1976 was that anything “old” was of no value. For this reason, older buildings were torn down, replaced by buildings with architecture we all considered to be much uglier. This pattern stopped as the past became important during the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Another thing that we took interest in was the clash between the Swedes and the Italians of Jamestown at the tie of the Lost Neighborhood. We are not sure why these two ethnic groups did not get along, but it is obvious from our research that there were major conflicts. Our principal and avid golfer, Mr. Phil Cammarata, spoke about how Italians in Jamestown were not permitted to join Moonbrook Country Club, a local golf club. He also spoke of an Italian person who was the first Italian to join and was then shunned by the Italian community for doing so. We wonder if this clash played any role in the tearing down of the Lost Neighborhood, as it was largely an Italian population that lived there.

We also discovered that the Lost Neighborhood seemed to be an area in economic decline. We discussed whether the Italians of the area would have had the political and economic power to save their neighborhood, allowing it to become an easy target for “urban renewal.”

We are very grateful to the Fenton History Center for sharing their collections with us!

The Post Journal Articles - 3/18/08

Today we received several articles from the Jamestown Post Journal about the Lost Neighborhood. We obtained information about businesses from the past. such as the electric company that was owned by a resident of brooklyn square. The residents electric company went out of business when the city opened their own. Also we learned about how the Urban Renewal Project would impact the city. It was proposed that in Brooklyn Square a senior housing development and a super market. It was very interesting to the group that none of this exists today and that it is completely different.

Stan Lundine Interview - 4/11/08

Today we had the honor of interviewing Mr. Stan Lundine, previous Mayor of Jamestown and Lt. Governor of New York State. He shared more of the political side of the Urban Renewal Project. He also told us that the project was started after an offer from a local factory, Watson Manufacturing promised to build a factory similar in size to cummins engines and provide hundreds of jobs throughout the city. This offer fell through when the project was completed because the company was financially struggling. We were all shocked when we heard St. James Church was actually in support of the urban renewal project that was destroying the neighborhood that almost all of its members lived in. This was because if the project proceeded the church would receive a new structure. The whole interview can be viewed on the Guest Speakers Page. We were thrilled that Mr. Stan Lundine could add his view of the project to our research.

Raffa and Proctor Interview - 5/5/08

Today we had the joy of listening to two previous members of the lost neighborhood: Mr. Tony Raffa and Mrs. Carm Proctor. The answered several questions the group had, adding a lot of information to the project. The entire interview can be viewed on the Guest Speakers Page. We enjoyed listening to their views on the Italian vs. Swede conflict. Also the memories of the community being so close and that neighbors were so trustworthy was heartwarming. Nobody locked their doors because everyone looked out for everyone else. They also told how saddening the relocation process was because they were being moved from family, friends and also St. James Church. The whole interview opened up the groups eyes to how important the neighborhood is to their heritage.

Recently we had James Auria come and guest speak for us. He talked about some of his personal experiences and his outlook on the demolition of the lost neighboorhood. He explained how everyone in the lost neighborhood were very trusting of each other. An example that he gave was that store owners down in the Brooklyn Square wouldn't make you pay for your groceries until the end of the week and the owners would keep track of what you owed in a black book. As the interview went on we noticed that some of the opinions Mr. Auria expressed were in opostion to some of the opinions that Mr. Raffa had on the lost nieghborhood being demolished. Mr. Raffa thought that the destruction of Brooklyn Square had a negative affect on the residents living in Brooklyn Square, while Mr. Auria that it had a positive affect on the buisness and the community as a whole. Now it is up to us as a group to try to figure out if the community is more important or the residents living there were.

When we first started the Lost Neighborhood project, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew of the Lost Neighborhood was the marker in Brooklyn Square showing where the Neighborhood had been. I didn't really expect to get much out of it except for maybe some extra work; but I really did end up with a lot more than just that.

The Lost Neighborhood Project has really moved me and people around me. I used to be incapable of really understanding how much things, such as this, mean to people who really care. We have talked to many people and brought them to tears because of what we've done. What means so much to them, now means so much to me, and I would have never guessed that I would be a part of something like this. I have learned to look at other peoples opinions instead of just going along with one. When you dont know the story as a whole you can never really assume anymore. You have to know the facts and you have to hear them from more than one person until you believe them. I really have enjoyed being a part of this and I hope that the seventh graders coming up enjoy it and learn as much as I have. Thank you so much Mr. Kresge and Mrs. Johnson for helping us bring back the past.

Throughout the process of our whole Lost Neighborhood project, I have learned many valuable lessons about what the neighborhoods significants was and how much it meant to the citizens who lived there. Also, myself and the rest of the group have learned many essential lessons that we will be able to use in our lives. What the lost neighborhood used to be was a tight community of people who interacted with each other each day. When they were told that they had to leave their homes, it was a devastating time for everyone who occupied that area. We as historians wanted to preserve their past memories through this project as best we could. As a group we had to listen to everyones opinions so that we could collect the best information to make this project accurate. I would like to thank Mr. Kresge and Mrs. Johnson for aiding us in this project along with Mrs. Pam Brown and all of the former lost neighbor hood residents who came to speak us. The Neighborhood will be able to live on and be remember by wide span of people in and around this area.

While working and researching with the other kids and teachers of the Lost Neighborhood group, I have been taught a lot. I have learned so much from this experience and I am honored to be part of this group. When I first started this project I didn't know how much that the neighborhood ment to all the people that used to live there. We also heard many points of views of this time in Jamestown and learned that some people were completely devastated about this happening, and some thought that it was for the best. We have learned what it is like to be real historians and really preserve the past. We didn't sit in a classroom and listen to a teacher tell us about it. We researched, interviewed people and went on field trips to learn more about it our selves. For once, our teachers didn't know any more than what we did. We learned that so much has changed since the time of the lost neighborhood. Parents would send their seven year old kids or younger, to buy groceries. Families would leave their doors unlocked when the left their homes too. When interviewing all the people that we did, we could tell how much that the Lost Neighborhood ment to them and how happy they were to be able to pass it on to us. I would like to thank Mr. Kresge, Mrs. Johnson , Mrs. Pam Brown, all of the residents of the Lost Neighborhood, and everyone who expressed an interest in this project and encouraged us to continue and present it in various places. Because we are passing this project on to the new seventh graders, we hope that they discover how lucky they are to be able to do something like this. It is because of the young people of today that hopefully now, the Lost Neighborhood will live forever.

Throughout this process I have learned many things that I wouldn't have even heard of if it had not been for the Lost Neighborhood Project. The project has taught me many technical skills such as, how to manage a website, blog, my time and how to work and communicate with my peers. I have learned so much more in addition to the technical side, I have been a part in preserving the history of my town. The lost neighborhood has taught me how to interact with people that the neighborhood means the world to. To these people the neighborhood was the shinning moment in there lives and I have grown to appreciate that to a level that I didn't even know existed. Through the duration of our time working with the lost neighborhood and its residents I found out the Neighborhood was a place like none other with the type of relationships that existed there. Knowing that this is something that my generation will probably never experience learning about its existence proved to be quite the valuable lesson and this project is something that I will never forget because it has taught me so much. Of course this project wouldn't exist had it not been for Mr. Kresge, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Pam Brown and the former lost neighborhood residents that have given there time to help make our project a success and for that I thank them all.

When we first started the Lost Neighborhood project, I really wasn't sure what to expect. The only thing I knew about about the Lost Neighborhood was the marker I had seen in Brooklyn Square showing where the neighborhood had previously been. Honestly, when I first heard about the project I really didn't expect to get much out of it expect for maybe a little extra work, but it turned out that I got a lot more rewarding experience than I could have ever imagined. Throughout all of the interviews, I began to realize how much the Lost Neighborhood meant to all of the Italian American families living there at the time. I also realized how much time has changed in the years past. Sometimes, you will live your entire life a house away from someone and will never say a word to them. I can't imagine how many people will go a good amount of their life and never know who their neighbors were. I am happy to say that even though time has passed the lost Neighborhood will not ever be forgotten but preserved forever. Thank You so much to Mr.Kresge and Mrs.Johnson for all of the help they gave us the year. You both really helped us a lot and we could not have achieved any of this without you!! :)

During the Lost Neighborhood project I learned many things such as how to listen to many different points of view at a time. The project has also taught me how to make and manage your own website. Ths as a harder concept because there were many people in many different classes. Alll people needed to write what their class did during the period, which was time consuming for everyone. Meeting all of the people that lived in the Lost Neighborhood was touching. Seeing all of the want for the neighborhood to be back and the anger that waswelled up inside them was really touching. I am very glad to be a part of this project. Learning about the neighborhood was one ofthe greatest things that has happened in my life.

The Lost Neighborhood project has meant a lot to me. For starters, I learned a lot about the neighborhood in general. Before this project I hadn't even heard of the lost neighborhood. No I know of the hardships people went through moving from there and how loving each member of the neighborhood felt for eachother. This project didn't only teach me about a place but about how to act towards others. The community they lived in was so caring they didn't even have to lock the doors. If we could act that way, maybe there would be less violence ion the world. Also, I learned about how to make a site and how to make interesting peices out of information I have. All and all, this project has taught me about how to preserve the past, but also how to act in the future.

For the past 5-6 months of participating in the Lost Neighborhood Project I have learned many skills that may not benefit me at this moment but I know I will use them in the future. I have learned new communication, interviewing and speaking skills ever since this project. I have communicated with the 14 other members of the group and other people. We have had several interviews and chances to speak out in front of people. Also I never really understood why to value the old but I really do now. I somewhat understand what the citizens of the Lost Neighborhood went through during Urban Renewal. Those people lost their homes, stores, businesses and neighbors just because someone wanted the new. This project has really changed my perspective on preserving old and the phrase "Out with the old, in with the new." Also this was a great opportunity and I am really glad this was a replacement to my research project. Now I really can say, I am a historian.

We have been working on the Lost Neighborhood Project for the past 6 months now, and as a group we have gained many skills. Some of the skills that we have acquired consist of communication with others outside of the classroom, how to listen to every side of a question and not to be bias and take one persons side. In addition we have talked to many people that have experienced first hand the government taking away their homes and how they used to live. Over the past interviews and photos we've seen this has become a lot more than just a project its become an experience that I am proud to say I'm a part of. From the families to the stores in Brooklyn Square I feel like I'm a part of all of it and to me it was never lost. In fact the Lost Neighborhood b was just miss placed for a little while and needed a few students back to life to tell the stores of those who lived there. In the end I am honored to have been able to have this opportunity and give generations of students a reference to the way Jamestown once was so many years ago.

I would just like to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication to this project. I have watched as you've developed analytical thinking, technical and public speaking skills. Your maturity is reflected in the respectful and kind way you have listened and spoken with folks from a different generation. Please always remember and never forget the impact that you have had not only on the Lost Neighborhood folks, but this entire community. Best wishes to all of you as you continue your education at the high school. Remember - there are a lot of projects yet undiscovered here in the archives. I would be happy and pleased to work with any of you! Sincerely, Mrs. Brown

Over the past 6 months we have been working on the Lost Neighborhood Project. We, as students have learned many things such as what the Lost Neighborhood is, but also how to work as a team. We have also learned to listen to both sides of stories and not to judge something the minute we see or hear it. We have interveiwed many citizens that were from the Lost Neighborhood and the more we learned, the more I felt that I was apart of the neighborhood. That I had actually been there and lived it. It was an emotional project, but at the same time it was exciting. Having the privlage to get to do something like this is like no other. It was a truly amzing experience that I will never forget.

During this endeavor that we, the Archive Group, had taken on, I learned so much. At first when the topic “The Lost Neighborhood” was brought up, I was clueless as to what it was dealing with. I thought it was about a group of people that all of a sudden disappeared, but I found it was about family, friendship and lives being taken away (not literally). What I mean by lives is there daily routines, their friends and what the life they adapted to. I didn’t get the whole gist of the event until Mr.Raffa came to our school and spoke to us. The thing that really tore my heart out was when he spoke of how the community was like a family. Everyone knew and trusted each other so much that they didn’t need to lock their doors. Along with it making me sad, it made me jealous. After I heard how enjoyable and the warmth shared between the people of the neighborhood I wanted to be apart of it. Today, I don’t even know who my neighbors are. I treat them like strangers and take precaution around them. Not because I think they are dangerous but simply because I don’t know a single thing about them. I grew angry with the Urban Renewal Project because it was the main cause neighbors don’t interact with each other like they used to. Technology and the obsession with making our lives as easy as possible also contributed. But on the other hand, buildings were getting old and progression with the society was needed. I guess all in all, I learned that in order for success and progression to occur, sacrifices would have to be made.