In 1857, the first Italian to come to the Walla Walla area was Mr. Francesco Orselli, who was stationed at Fort Walla Walla as a member of the U.S. Cavalry, Company T, 4th Infantry. He immigrated from Lucca, Italy.

In 1876 with Pasquale Saturno's arrival, a large influx of Italians began coming to Walla Walla. He was followed by Frank Villa, an orchardist, in 1878, and Joe Tachi in 1880. Joe's two nephews, Anthony "Tony" Locati in 1886 and John Arbini in 1890 came from Lonate Pozzolo, Italy (near Milan). Tony Locati was responsible for recruiting most of the large, local Locati families to Walla Walla. John Arbini helped organize and became the first president of the Walla Walla Gardener's Association produce house, which is still in existence today.

Other Italians arrived with increasing frequency: Luigi Rizzuti from the Calabria region and Carlo Bono, Joe Tachi's brother-in-law, came in 1886; Joe Colombo in 1888, Natali Magnoni (Manuel) in 1890, Frank Allessio in 1893; and Carlo Ponti, Pasquale "Charley" Criscuola, Michele Curcio and Leonardo Rizzuti in 1895.

Other significant arrivals included: Angelo Locati, Pietro Sacco, Joe Spagnuolo (Spanish), and Joe Pratto from 1910 to 1911; Angelo Columbo and Nick Manaro from 1901 to 1911; L.B. Pica, A. Torretta, Angelo Locati, Ceasar Ponti, Vitorio Toppano, Pasquale Criscuola, Gennaro Criscuolo, and Manuel Deccio in 1915, to name a few. From 1895 through 1915, the largest numbers of Italians arrived in Walla Walla.

By the end of 1915, over 120 Italian gardeners were living here. Today many of their grandchildren still farm the lands they began cultivating in the early 1900s.

In 1915, the Italians built their own church, St. Francis of Assisi, which is still attended today by a majority of parishioners of Italian descent. In 1916, they built their own produce house, Walla Walla Gardener's Association, which is the oldest produce house west of the Mississippi still functioning under its original charter.

Because the majority of early Italians wanted their children to achieve a better life through education and integration of the American culture, most families no longer spoke the Italian language nor taught their children the old-world Italian traditions. However, today's Italian community has resurrected some of their ancient traditions to share their rich heritage with their children and others. Thus, we've come to enjoy the annual Italian Festa's that are major events in the Walla Walla community.

We are also pleased to announce the completion of the restoration of the second oldest original Italian home in the valley, The Saturno Farmstead.  Situated at Fort Walla Walla Museum Complex, housed several generations of families.  It has been furnished with many original pieces and stands as a tribute to the early Italian community.