In the early 1900’s, a large number of Italians migrated to California
and settled in San Francisco’s Italian Quarter (now known as North
Beach). After the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, a large group of
Italians relocated across the bay to Oakland.
The history of the Colombo Club began at this time at a rock quarry
in Oakland (presently Rockridge Center). Many Italian immigrants worked
at the quarry and lived across the street in the company boarding house.
The quarry was later known as the Oakland Paving and Quarry Company.
Most of the quarry workers were
single men who had freshly arrived from the “old
country” and were extremely homesick. After work and especially
on Saturday nights, across the street from the quarry, a Mr. Lovisone
and his family would let the boys use their basement to play cards and
exchange stories. These early beginnings, “the quarry fellowship
get-togethers” were an effort by the men to create friendships
and establish a social network with their “paesani” (friends
and family) much like they had in Italy. As these men married, they would
gather their families together for dinner and dancing and reminisce about
their native Italy. This was the beginning of the Colombo Club.
In 1920, a group of men formed the Colombo Club and purchased property
in Oakland at 49th and Broadway. The Club was incorporated in 1922. By
1949, the Club had outgrown the building and looked for a new home. The
sale of the building, plus bank loans and member loans, provided the
necessary funds to purchase the land and begin construction on our present
building on Claremont Ave. which was completed in December 1951.
Today, the Colombo Club is recognized
as one the largest active Italian social clubs in the United States.
Firmly committed to the ideals of our founding fathers, we strive to
provide our “famiglia” and
their guests with social activities that honor our heritage and preserve
our traditions.
The gatherings of the original group of
men who longed for companionship and a connection to their homeland,
has grown to a fraternity of 900 members, dedicated to preserving the
Italian culture while expressing gratitude to be considered citizens
of the greatest country in the world; the United States of America.
