Kansas City Italians

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Kansas City Italians KC Italians is the page for everything Italian in Kansas City. We need to change that because we are losing valuable history every day.

The goal of KC Italians is to preserve the history and culture of the Italian-American community in Kansas City and promote Italian-American businesses, clubs, & events. Sadly most of the history of the Italian-American community in KC has been overshadowed by the more colorful elements. Another reason for www.KCItalians.com is to unite the Italian-American community. We are all so spread out and that makes it hard to stay in the loop. Please help spread the word about KC Italians by telling your friends and family.

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ! ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ•: ๐‰๐จ๐ฌ๐ž๐ฉ๐ก ๐‘. ๐ƒ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐œ๐จJoseph R. Damico was one of the earliest Italian settlers in...
10/08/2026

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ!

๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ•: ๐‰๐จ๐ฌ๐ž๐ฉ๐ก ๐‘. ๐ƒ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐œ๐จ

Joseph R. Damico was one of the earliest Italian settlers in Kansas City and became one of the first leaders in the growing Italian community. Often referred to in newspapers as the โ€œKing of Little Italy,โ€ Damico was known for helping newly arrived Italian immigrants adjust to life in America.

He worked as a railway contractor, served as an interpreter for several Kansas City courts, and was a member of Kansas Cityโ€™s original volunteer fire department. Many Italian immigrants turned to him for help with citizenship papers, marriage licenses, and other important documents and legal matters. He strongly encouraged his fellow countrymen to become American citizens and take part in civic life.

In 1898, Damico founded the Young Italian-American Society. In 1909, he suffered serious injuries after falling from a building during a fire. He remained in poor health for several years before his death in 1913.

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ! ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ”: ๐๐š๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ Today, we honor the patriotism of Italian Americans in Kansas City...
10/07/2026

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ!

๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ”: ๐๐š๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ

Today, we honor the patriotism of Italian Americans in Kansas City. While we take great pride in our Italian heritage, we are equally proud to be Americans. I recall my grandmother telling me that her own grandmother refused to return to Sicily for a visit because she feared she wouldn't be allowed back into the United States. This story taught me the true meaning of the "American Dream" and why many in my family chose to leave the country and the family they loved so much behind. Italian Americans proudly served their country during wartime, with many Italian immigrants gaining U.S. citizenship by fighting in World War I. According to The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), over 1.5 million Italian Americans answered the call to defend their country during World War II, even if it meant fighting against relatives still living in Italy. The number of Kansas City Italians who served their country during World War II was impressive. Of the 695 families registered at Holy Rosary Parish during World War II, 673 men and women served their country. This number transcends the national average of Italian Americans who served during World War II. Who was the first person in your family to serve in the U.S. military?

The following excerpt is from "The Italians in Missouri," written by Giovanni Schiavo in 1929:

"To their country of adoption, the Italians have shown the greatest devotion. During the war Kansas City's Little Italy contributed its contingent to the Expeditionary Force, leaving its own toll on the battlefields of France. Today the Italians have formed a post of the American Legion known as "Manfer-Camp Post." Mr. Charles Passiglia and Mr. P. Lapetina were the organizers.
Towards Italy the Italians have the love that sons can have for their mothers. Towards officials of the Italian Government they have the respect due to their office. The Italian colony of Kansas City, as a matter of fact, is one of the most patriotic in the whole United States. There is indeed no Italian cause in need of assistance to which the Italians of Kansas City do not contribute with their money and their time. There are in the city today four Italians who are life members of the Italian Red Cross. They are Dr. Laurenzana, Mr. V. Cipolla, Mr. V. Scudiero, and Mr. A. Monachesi.โ€

This photo was taken on October 30, 1921, at Holy Rosary. General Armando Diaz of Italy, along with his staff and members of Kansas City's Italian-American community. Do you recognize a family member?

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ! ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ“: ๐…๐ซ๐š๐ง๐ค ๐๐š๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐žFrank A. Basile was one of the earliest Italian immigrants to set...
10/06/2026

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ!

๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ“: ๐…๐ซ๐š๐ง๐ค ๐๐š๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ž

Frank A. Basile was one of the earliest Italian immigrants to settle in Kansas City and became one of the most important leaders in the growing Italian community. Arriving in Kansas City in 1884, Basile devoted much of his life to helping newly arrived Italian immigrants find work, housing, and financial stability as they adjusted to life in America.

Basile established a bank, steamship agency, and Italian grocery store at 601 E. 5th Street, later moving the businesses to 520 E. 5th Street. He also worked as a railroad employment agent, helping bring thousands of Italian immigrants to Kansas City for work on railroad construction projects throughout the country. Many laborers returned to Kansas City between jobs and eventually made permanent homes in the city because of the opportunities and support found within the growing Italian community.

Through his businesses, Basile served many newly arrived immigrants, offering banking services in the Italian language, imported Italian goods, and assistance securing travel and employment. He became widely known as a trusted friend of Italian immigrants, many of whom relied on him for guidance and financial help.

A devoted member of the community, Basile also pledged the cost of the altar dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua at Holy Rosary Church. Frank Basile died during the 1918 influenza pandemic, but his businesses continued under the management of his family for many years afterward.

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ! ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ’: ๐Œ๐š๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐€. ๐“๐ซ๐จ๐ณ๐ณ๐จ๐ฅ๐จBorn in Castrolibero, Italy, Marion Trozzolo was an innovat...
10/05/2026

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ!

๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ’: ๐Œ๐š๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐€. ๐“๐ซ๐จ๐ณ๐ณ๐จ๐ฅ๐จ

Born in Castrolibero, Italy, Marion Trozzolo was an innovator, entrepreneur, educator, and visionary whose ideas left a lasting impact on Kansas City. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1927 in search of a better life and later served in World War II, earning both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

After the war, Trozzolo earned degrees in philosophy and business administration from the University of Chicago before moving to Kansas City in 1951 to teach business and economics at Rockhurst University.

In 1957, he founded Laboratory Plasticware Fabricators and was the first manufacturer of Teflon-coated cookware in the United States. In 1961, he introduced the โ€œHappy Pan,โ€ an invention that changed kitchens across America. An original Happy Pan is now part of the collection at the Smithsonian Institution.

Trozzolo was also the visionary behind Kansas Cityโ€™s River Quay entertainment district. Beginning in the late 1950s, he purchased and restored historic buildings near the City Market, helping transform the area into a thriving destination of restaurants, shops, galleries, and nightlife. Officially launched in 1972, River Quay quickly became one of Kansas Cityโ€™s most popular entertainment districts.

Known for his creativity and promotion, Trozzolo imported red double-decker buses from Great Britain to advertise River Quay throughout the city with the slogan, โ€œCome Seeโ€ฆ The River Quay.โ€

During the presidency of Ronald Reagan, Trozzolo also produced Teflon-coated commemorative items honoring the so-called โ€œTeflon President.โ€ He later donated a special Teflon coating for the fence surrounding the home of President Harry S. Truman in nearby Independence, Missouri.

Beyond business, Marion Trozzolo was a devoted husband and father of seven, an inventor, a professor, and a community builder whose influence can still be seen throughout Kansas City today. He passed away on June 30, 1992.

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ! ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ: ๐Œ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ž ๐–๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐  & ๐‹๐จ๐š๐ง ๐€๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐œ๐ข๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐งThe Middle West Building & Loan Associ...
10/03/2026

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ!

๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ: ๐Œ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ž ๐–๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐  & ๐‹๐จ๐š๐ง ๐€๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐œ๐ข๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง

The Middle West Building & Loan Association was formed by Vincenzo Cipolla in 1924. Its purpose was to lend money to Italians in Kansas City for businesses and homes when they couldn't get financing from other lending institutions.

They faced adversity but found a way to succeed on their own. This truly is the secret history of Kansas City's Italians - the part of our history that isn't sensational enough to make the news. Honest, hardworking, family-oriented people who struggled to make it in their new country and succeeded. Today, we honor them!

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ!๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ: ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ง๐ญToday is the first day of ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นItalian American๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Heritage Month,...
10/01/2026

๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Š๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ!

๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ: ๐ˆ๐ญ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ง๐ญ

Today is the first day of ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นItalian American๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Heritage Month, and we honor every Italian who journeyed to America from Italy! We wouldn't be Italian Americans if not for our family members who braved the journey to America. They immigrated to a foreign land where they were treated poorly. They made this sacrifice so that their children and their children's children would have opportunities and freedoms not available in Italy. We are lucky because not only do we have Italian roots, but we live in the best country in the world!

Please post pictures and tell us about your family. Who was the first person in your family to come to the US? Where is your family from? October is my favorite month!!

Honor the legacy of those who came before you by adding their names, photos, and ancestral towns to the Kansas City Italian Immigrant Wall of Honor!

https://kcitalians.com/la-famiglia/

This map was printed in Kansas City's "Future" magazine on 05/31/1935.

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

๐Ÿ“ธ Help us tell the story of Kansas Cityโ€™s Little Italy!Weโ€™re currently collecting historic photos and videos for the doc...
10/01/2026

๐Ÿ“ธ Help us tell the story of Kansas Cityโ€™s Little Italy!

Weโ€™re currently collecting historic photos and videos for the documentary The Neighborhood: Kansas Cityโ€™s Little Italy.

Do you have old family photos, neighborhood pictures, events, businesses, or memories from Kansas Cityโ€™s Little Italy? Weโ€™d love to see them!

Especially looking for photos from Columbus Park and the surrounding Italian community. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

If you have something to share, please send it our way! Your photos could help bring these stories and memories back to life on screen. โค๏ธ

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Celebrate Italian Heritage Month with us! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นJoin us Saturday, October 10th at Columbus Park for the Carl J. DiCapo It...
09/30/2026

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Celebrate Italian Heritage Month with us! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Join us Saturday, October 10th at Columbus Park for the Carl J. DiCapo Italian Heritage Festival! ๐ŸŽ‰

Enjoy an afternoon filled with Italian food, live music, family fun, and community, all while celebrating Kansas Cityโ€™s rich Italian-American heritage. โค๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’š

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Admission & parking are FREE!
๐ŸŽถ Noonโ€“7 PM
๐Ÿ“ Columbus Park
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ 50/50 cash raffle
โค๏ธ 100% of the profits benefit The Salvation Army

Bring the family, bring your friends, and come celebrate Italian heritage with us! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

What to expect

October is Italian-American Heritage Month, a time to honor our rich cultural history. Letโ€™s kick off this month by coming together to raise funds for charity and celebrate the legacy of one of Kansas Cityโ€™s great Italians, Carl J. DiCapo. Join us for a day filled with music, food, and fun! Donโ€™t miss the chance to participate in our 50/50 cash raffle. Admission and parking are free, and every penny raised will support The Salvation Army. Come out and join us!

Today, weโ€™re celebrating a very special milestone in Kansas Cityโ€™s Italian community โ€” Jerry Cosentino is turning 100! ๐ŸŽ‰...
09/28/2026

Today, weโ€™re celebrating a very special milestone in Kansas Cityโ€™s Italian community โ€” Jerry Cosentino is turning 100! ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

From opening his very first store in 1948 to building a family of stores that continues to be part of our community today, Jerryโ€™s hard work, vision, and dedication have left a lasting mark.

Today, weโ€™re looking back at some of the moments, milestones, and memories that have been part of his incredible journey.

Please join us in wishing Jerry Cosentino a very Happy 100th Birthday! โค๏ธ๐ŸŽ‚

Hereโ€™s to 100 years of memories, family, hard work, and community!

What a day at the K! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นโšพ๏ธ๐Ÿ’™KC Italian Heritage Day brought our community together to celebrate Italian culture, family, a...
09/27/2026

What a day at the K! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นโšพ๏ธ๐Ÿ’™

KC Italian Heritage Day brought our community together to celebrate Italian culture, family, and tradition at the ballpark. So many familiar faces, Italian pride, and a great day cheering on the Royals!

Grazie to everyone who came out and helped make Italian Heritage Day so special. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นโค๏ธ

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1600 Baltimore Ave. Suite 102
Kansas City, MO
64108

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