1

With the mass exodus of Europeans to North America and the costly means of communication with loved ones in the old country, most immigrants to Trail inhabited areas of town that offered reminders of home. This was especially true for the Italian community, who occupied the "Gulch," an area west of the downtown sector.

2

Eastern end of gulch
1898
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives

3

The "Gulch" is a unique part of Trail, not only because of its physical characteristics, but also because it was the historical setting for the foundation of Trail's large Italian community.

4

Dublin Gulch taken from Warfield Flats looking south-east
1900
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives

5

First called Dublin Gulch, the Gulch is a narrow valley created by Trail Creek as it comes out of the Rossland Mountains It was part of the Columbia and Western Railway's land grant and as early as 1896 was being settled by squatters who erected small shacks, planted gardens, and raised chickens on unpaid-for land.

6

Dublin Gulch from the west
Mid-1900s
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives

7

After incorporation, the area was taken into the City and the land sold to the squatters to legitimize their occupancy. Early residents obtained their water from Trail Creek. The conditions were very unsanitary and residents of the area were susceptible to disease.

8

Water wheel on Trail Creek at the head of the Gulch
1906
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives

9

When the first Italian immigrants came to Trail they settled in the Gulch, planting the seed for Trail's Italian community.

10

The Montana, an early hotel of the Gulch, built by Issaco Georgetti
1902
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Cristoforo Colombo Lodge Fonds, Trail City Archives

11

On April 5, 1905, a group of Italians banded together to form the Cristoforo Colombo Lodge, a benevolent society for the Italian immigrant.

12

First parade of the Cristoforo Colombo Lodge Society, in front of Kootenay Hotel
1911
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives
Mrs. G. Landucci
Cristoforo Colombo Lodge

13

Its purpose was to assist members in times of sickness or death and it became the center of the Italian community's social activities.

14

Colombo Lodge: Funeral of Mr. Felicia "Tombino" Santini at St. Francis Church
1922
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives
Don & Lorna Nutini

15

The Colombo Lodge, still in existence, celebrated its 100th year in 2005.

16

Other Italian organizations were formed later for similar reasons.

17

Second annual banquet of Italo-Canadese Society
27 March 1935
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives

18

Italian immigration to Trail increased after World War I and the community doubled in size after World War II.

19

"The Gulch," Rossland Avenue, Trail
Summer 1943
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives

20

The Gulch gradually changed in character as Italians chose to live in other parts of the city. Today, the Gulch bears little resemblance to the original home of many of Trail's Italians, but its history forms an important link in the development of Trail.

21

To a large extent, the Italian inheritance was one of poverty and lack of a formal education. Early immigrants were motivated by survival and exhibited ambition and a solid work ethic. They quickly established roots in this new land, making names for themselves in all aspects of life. Businesses flourished and many went on to become successful sportsmen, politicians, and businessmen.

22

Lauriente's store in the Gulch
1914
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives

23

City Bakery staff
19 March 1921
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Angelo & Louisa Pellizzari
Cristoforo Colombo Lodge

24

Daloise Grocery store, east end of Gulch
1955
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives

25

Tonelli Grocery Store (Venetian Grocery), Rossland Avenue
Circa 1925
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Trail City Archives

26

Workmen's Meat Market staff, east end of Gulch
1920-1935
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Cristoforo Colombo Lodge Fonds, Trail City Archives

27

The Italian language, along with many dialects, was heard throughout the Gulch and the many homes within it.

28

Mario "Spuds"Pagnan on speaking dialect in growing up.
30 January 2008
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Mario "Spuds" Pagnan
Rose Calderon
Greg Nesteroff

29

The language barrier was often difficult, for children especially.

30

Louisa Pellizzari on adjusting to life in Canada.
17 March 2008
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Louisa Pellizzari
Rose Calderon

31

But, they mostly shared a compulsion to preserve their Italian culture in a new land. Cooking, baking and wine-making are traditions still maintained and passed down to this day.

32

Louisa Pellizzari (in Fruilano) - Canning peaches.
17 March 2008
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Louisa Pellizzari
Rose Calderon
Franca Forbes

33

Angelo Pellizzari on wine-making.
17 March 2008
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Angelo Pellizzari
Rose Calderon

34

Angelo Pellizzari discussing the wine-making process.
17 March 2008
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Angelo Pellizzari
Rose Calderon

35

Wine press, handmade
1951
Trail Museum, Trail, British Columbia


Credits:
Trail Museum

36

Grape grinder, handmade, side view
1951
Trail Museum, Trail, British Columbia


Credits:
Trail Museum

37

Grape grinder, handmade, top view
1951
Trail Museum, Trail, British Columbia


Credits:
Trail Museum

38

Excerpt from the Bressanutti Family Story, Trail of Memories:


"As tradition, Italians drink wine. So, every September was wine-making season, and from the grapes comes the mash. From the mash comes Grappa, which is an alcohol-like "moonshine." It was illegal to make Grappa, but everyone did. When I look back, it was a very big secret. All the blinds were drawn so as not to arouse suspicion, but the stoves had to be lit to make it, and the chimneys were billowing smoke at odd hours. It was made solely for their own use, not to sell."

39

Many people today across Canada identify Trail with this Italian heritage, particularly the Italian meal. Trail is renowned for its Colander Restaurant, which serves a four-course Italian dinner of salad, authentic spaghetti and meatballs, chicken and jo-jos and of course, dessert. This tradition began in the 1920s in the old Kootenay Hotel located in the Gulch and continues to be carried on today.

40

Lodi Forte recounting how her mother founded the tradition of spaghetti and meatballs in Trail.
4 March 2007
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Lodi Forte
Rose Calderon
Greg Nesteroff

41

Kootenay Hotel
1912
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Cristoforo Colombo Lodge
Trail City Archives

42

Bar of the Kootenay Hotel
1926
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Cristoforo Colombo Lodge Fonds, Trail City Archives

43

Staff outside Kootenay Hotel
1930s
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Cristoforo Colombo Lodge Fonds, Trail City Archives

44

The Italian culture, while still prevalent when browsing the surnames of many Trail residents, is only now beginning to dwindle as new generations assimilate further and further into Canadian and Western society. The first generation Italians continue to cook, bake and speak their language, however as time passes and people age, the distinctive Italian presence in Trail is slowly beginning to fade.

45

Louisa Pellizzari on carrying on with Italian traditions.
17 March 2008
Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Louisa Pellizzari
Rose Calderon

46

The Gulch was not the only area that people of similar nationalities flocked. Trail at one period of time, had a large Scottish community. Little Scotland was on the down river end of the East Trail.

47

Little Scotland: East Trail at Fourth Avenue and McLean Street
1938
Little Scotland, Trail, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Vancouver Public Library