Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2015 02 09

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4 Joe in 1898, John in 1902, and Louise in 1909. During the 1914 strike violence, gunfire from the Hecla Mine aimed towards downtown Louisville threatened residents of Little Italy in particular. This led to evacuations of women and children. According to information at the Louisville Historical Museum, the Rizzi children traveled to the Wellington area to live with their mother’s parents until the danger passed. Tom Rizzi worked as a coal miner in Louisville. By the time of the 1920 census, Tom and all three of his sons were working as coal miners, and all four of the children were still living at home. By the time of the 1930 census, Tom was still working as a miner, but all three sons had left home, leaving only Louise living with Tom and Jennie. In 1940, only Tom and Jennie were living in the house (although Jennie’s brother also lived on the property, as discussed below). Louise Rizzi married Louisville resident William Brown in about 1930 and they had two daughters. William died in 1948. Louise and her two daughters then moved in with her parents at 1401 Cannon. In 1951, Tom Rizzi conveyed ownership of 1401 Cannon to his daughter, Louise Rizzi Brown. Jennie and Tom Rizzi died within four months of one another in late 1954 and early 1955. Records show that relatives of both Tom and Jennie Rizzi also lived in Little Italy, in houses all around them. In addition to the surnames of Rizzi and DiGiacomo/James, other relatives with such surnames as Carpanzano (Carpenter) and Rappa also lived in the neighborhood. The familial relationships among many of the neighbors in this area no doubt contributed to the tightknit aspect of Little Italy. The following photo from c. 1928-29 shows the back of the Rizzi house at 1401 Cannon on the right. The family shown is the Bosko family, who lived next door at 1409 Cannon. The Bosko house is on the left.