Tremι / Lafitte in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Sicilian Immigration to Louisiana
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1891 Massacre and Lynching of Italians
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 3, 2025
1. Sicilian Immigration to Louisiana side of marker
Sicilian Immigration to Louisiana. From the 1870s till 1920, approximately 3,000 Sicilians per year immigrated to America via New Orleans. They worked on plantations, railroads, and docks; soon becoming entrepreneurs in importing. shipping. farming, and retail. A New Orleanian of Sicilian descent, Joseph P. Macheca, ran a shipping company and owned premium dock space in New Orleans. In the 1880s, the port was rapidly expanding. Other business executives wanted Macheca's dock space contract with the City of New Orleans.
1891 Massacre and Lynching of Italians. Police Chief Hennessy was assassinated on October 14, 1890. Despite the many people of interest, the City council awarded the Committee of Fifty $15,000 to push for conviction of Italians including Macheca. Eleven men were tried and none found guilty. The next day the Committee of Fifty organized a mob of 5,000 to break into the prison. Eight Italians were massacred and three were lynched. In 1892, President Harrison expanded Columbus Day to inspire Americans to accept Italian Immigrants.
Erected 2024 by Order Sons and Daughters of Italy and The Marsala
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Immigration • Law Enforcement.
Location. 29° 57.755′ N, 90° 4.176′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in Tremι / Lafitte. It is on Essence Way near St. Ann Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 799 Essence Way, New Orleans LA 70116, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s River Parishes. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, on the Gulf Coast, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mahalia Jackson
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 3, 2025
2. 1891 Massacre and Lynching of Italians side of marker
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, July 3, 2025
3. Sicilian Immigration to Louisiana / 1891 Massacre and Lynching of Italians Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 675 times since then and 226 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2025, by Gianluca De Fazio of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
