Davis in Tucker County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Davis Lunch Room
An Immigrant Family Served in War and Kept Davis Fed
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 24, 2024
1. Davis Lunch Room Marker
Downtown Davis businesses included several owned by immigrant families whose descendants are still residents today. The building at 346 William Avenue once housed the Davis Lunch Room, which belonged to James and Lucy Quattro, and opened in 1942. James first came to the U.S. from Italy in 1904, and returned to Italy to marry Lucy in 1913. She immigrated in 1916. They owned a small farm in Coketon, and James mined coal. After nearly three decades, they opened the restaurant. When it opened, the U.S. had already entered World War Two. While the couple had three sons and a son-in-law serving the U.S. overseas, the restaurant also became popular with soldiers training at nearby Dolly Sods. It is unclear what the building was during the timber era, but it has also housed a phone company, ski shop, beauty salon, and others.
(Captions):
James and Lucy Quattro were born as Concezio Quattrocchi and Lucia Leopardi in 1884 and 1894. This photo (right) is from their wedding in Sulmona, Italy, on December 4, 1913.
Lucy's granddaughter, Mary Quattro, grew up in Davis and provided many photos for this panel. In a white dress
this page online
James Quattro first came to the U.S. in 1904 on the German ship Prinzess Irene (right). He returned to Italy several times, including to serve briefly in the Italian Army, and in 1913 to marry Lucy. In 1916, Lucy emigrated on the Dante Alighieri, which also brought DiBacco family members across the Atlantic.
Three of James and Lucy Quattro's sons (left) served in World War Two: Alfred (left) and Ernest (center) in the Navy; and Guido (right) in the Army.
Few photos exist of the Davis Lunch Room, but here (right), it is recognizable by its name on the window and the tin siding on its upper floors, pressed to look like stone blocks - a popular 1930s and 40s building treatment.
Standing in front of the restaurant are Lucy Quattro (center), daughter in law Rose (left), who married Lucy's oldest son, Guido, and Lucy's youngest daughter, also named Lucy.
To the right of the restaurant, in the same building, was a bar called Jim's, one of several bars in Davis. During the timber
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 24, 2024
2. Davis Lunch Room Marker
Photo credits: \SS Prinzess Irene | prinzessirene.com; all others | Mary Quattro and the Quattro family
Layouts and text by David A. Vago Historic Resource Planning & Design
Erected 2023 by The West Virginia Humanities Council, Friends of Blackwater and Davis West Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 39° 7.748′ N, 79° 27.837′ W. Marker is in Davis, West Virginia, in Tucker County. It is on William Avenue (West Virginia Route 32) east of 4th Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 346 William Avenue, Davis WV 26260, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eagles Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Verzi's Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pennsylvania House (within shouting distance of this marker); Inside The Sawmill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Blackwater Hotel (about 300 feet away); From Forest To Sawmill (about 300 feet away); Myrtle Mae (Hockman) Shrader (about 300 feet away); A Growing And Evolving Industry On The Riverbanks (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Davis.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
