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Island History -
Located at the southern end of a
former quarry access road, these houses were once quarry barracks.
The ravine used by the Huntington Quarry Railroad is just to the
west and the Eratus Huntington House borders the property to the
east.
Cottage #1 is one of the larger
houses built by the Norman Kelley and Company for its quarry
workers along this land. in 1873. The history of one of its
later occupants, Joseph Maiani, is typical of that of many other
quarry workers. He was recruited by a relative who already worked
on the island to come here from San Moreno, Italy, in 1928, with
the promise of a good job in the quarries. He raised a family here
sending his children to St. Michael's Catholic School. The family
raised a small brood of chickens for their eggs and meat, and
raised most of their own produce in a small plot near the cottage.
Other families used a community plot near what is now the post
office. They patronized "Tommy's" store for olive oil, penny
candies, and sundries, and the Steam Boat Dock for staples such as
flour, sugar, feed, and fuel. Except for staples and occasionally
meats, they were practically self sufficient and looked to their
own ethnic enclave for entertainment and social contact.
Cottage #2 was occupied by an
Italian family by the name of Fittilini in 1920. Mr. Fittilini
worked as a laborer for the KIL&T Co., but in addition made and
mended boots and shoes in a small work shop in this home. One
source suggests that his primary clientele was drawn from the
families of other workers in the nearby Italian enclave. This was
another house built in 1873 by the Norman Kelley and Company
Quarry for its workers.
Cottage #3,
another Norman Kelleys and Company house built in 1873, is perhaps
best known for the Milli family that lived here from 1908 to 1912.
They were of Hungarian origin and established a more permanent
life on the island than many other quarry workers. With a growing
family to accommodate ( nine girls and 1 boy) they later moved to
the larger quarry house.
Cottage #4
is identical to cottages #2 and #3. Sometimes these buildings were
little more than bunk houses were single workers lived, as many as
six to eight in one house.
Cottage #5,
a simply constructed house was built in 1873 by the Norman Kelley
and Company quarry for its workers after Mr. Kelley had purchased
the William S. Webb quarries. Its larger size than the others on
the lane suggests that it was intended to house those workers with
larger families. Generally the house rented for $5.00 per month.
Many different families rented here in its long period of use.
Their origin followed the different waves of ethnic immigrants
that came to the island seeking the many available jobs during the
period of optimum growth of the quarry industry here; Irish in
1880, Hungarian/Slavic in 1900, and Italians in 1910. The only
known family reported as living here is that of Mauser in 1920.
Source:
"The National Register Inventory
for Kelley Island" by Kevin and Betty Pape
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