Top 20 Ethnic Clubs in Erie 1952

Listings from the 1952 Club Directory.

There were a number of clubs that catered to the various ethnic groups in Erie in 1952 which are better known by their nicknames. A few that come to mind are the PP Club, the PNA Club and the CYS Club. And let's not forget the Hooksie Dooksie!

Pratola-Peligna Society: The PP Club. 1601 Plum St., Erie, PA. The club had 450 members including social and beneficial. Annual dues were $12 for beneficial and $1 for social members. Officers included John Gamble, Albert DiLoreto, Nick Bianchi, Patsy DiLoreto, Oliver Franz, Louis Semintilli, Louis Benacci and Gino Cargiole.

American Jugo Slav Club. 136 West 17th St., Erie, PA. Officers of the club included Harry Christensen, Philip Marnella and Robert Fischer.

Arbeiters Gesang Verien Club: Arbeiters Club. 324 East 18th St., Erie, PA. The club had six bowling lanes. Annual dues were $1.20. Officers included Joseph L. Nies, Theodore Monahan, Michael Nowak and E. Andrick.

Calabrese Club di Monte Carmelo: Calabrese Club. 509 West 16th St., Erie, PA. Officers of the club were Jack Fatica, Patsy Fratto, Anthony Presogna, Joseph DeFazio, Anthony DeFazio, Nick DeLaura, Dan Presogna, Ted Chimenti, Joseph Pillitieri and Louis DeLaura. The club had eight bowling lanes. Annual dues were $12 for regular and $3 for social members. Activities included bowling leagues and floor shows.

Cesare Battisti Club, 301 German St., Erie, PA. Officers included Paul DeDionisio, Frank Damico, Armand Chimente, Anthony Chimente, Al. DeDionisio, Anthony Mando, Marc Alberico and Edward DeLuca. The club had 200 beneficial members, whose dues were $12 per year, and 300 social members whose dues were $1.20 per year. Initiation fees were $5-10 depending on age.

Circolo Nazionale: National Club.

Community of Young Staroobriadcy: CYS Club. 155 East 2nd St., Erie, PA. Officers included Fred Simon, John Petroff, Fred Orloff, Charles Pancerev and Matt Federoff. The club had 900 members. 

Danish Club, 1114 West 8th St., Erie, PA. Officers included Peter Larsen, Harry Sorensen, Wylie Hansen and Andrew Nielsen. the club had 400 members and annual dues were $1.

Graeco Americus Society. 1511 Peach St., Erie, PA. Officers included Charles Ramandanes and Gus Katos.

Gwardja Huzarow-Karzmierz Pulaskiego i Tad. Kosciuski: Huzars Club. 1120 East 10th St., Erie, PA. Officers included Adolph Prawdzik, Edward Maciukiewicz, Paul Lipiec, Joseph Dworakowski, Edwin Slupski and Joseph Zielonka. Incorporated in 1935. The club had 900 members. Annual dues were $4.20 for beneficial and $1 for social members. Activities included bowling and softball leagues and dancing.

Holy Trinity Portugese Association: Portugese Club. 1043 West 5th St., Erie, PA. Officers included Harold Fratus, John Costa, Anthony Costa, Joseph Viera, Carlo Santo and John Maio.

Lithuanian Alliance of America, Lodge No. 216. 806 Parade St., Erie, PA. Officers included Anthony Matulevick, John McShane, Joseph Zdunski, Catherine Matulevick and Joseph McShane. The club was incorporated in 1946. The club had 1,426 members. Annual dues were $1.

Nuova Aurora Society. 1518 Walnut St., Erie, PA. Officers included Simone Fromzaglia, Elmer Mazzei, M. J. Leone, Anthony DiCorpo, Leon DiCecco, Frank Necci and Dan Carbone. Incorporated in 1907. The club had 2,200 members. Activities included mushball, baseball and bowling leagues.

Polish National Alliance: PNA Club. 557 East 21st St., Erie, PA. Officers included Vincent Chrostowski, Joseph Rogers, Walter Kanonczyk, Joseph Kozlowski and Edmund Cieslak. Incorporated in 1936. The club had 1,500 members. Activities included a drum and bugle corps, bowling, dancing and a slow pitch league.

Polish National Club. 2114 Wallace St., Erie, PA. Officers included Joseph Wisniewski, Edmund Olszewski, Paul Kita, F. Benes and Frank Martyna. Incorporated in 1918. The club had 275 members.

Polish Sharpshooters Club. 650 East 12th St., Erie, PA. Officers included Joseph Lewandowski, John Cleramadzki, Snelly Sandusky and Andy Desser. The club had six bowling lanes.

Russian American Club. 262 East 3rd Street, Erie, PA. Officers included John Mickol, Alex Puchinsky, Stanley Lata, Nick Maly and Daniel Zuk. The club had 750 members.

Slovak National Club. 902 Hess Avenue, Erie, PA. Officers included William Galla, Michael Bules, John Krkoska, John Bebko and Stephen Duska. 

Slovak Social Club. 902 Pennsylvania Avenue, Erie, PA. Officers included Anthony Samol, Francis Palkovic and John Duska. Incorporated in 1942. The club had 500 members. 

Societa Dimutuo Soccorso di Pennapiedimonte: Penn Club.

Societa Nazionale Dimutuo Soccorso Dimontenero Valcocchiaro Club: Monty Club.

Thadeus Kosciuszko Branch No. 610: Polish Falcons Club. 602 East 19th St., Erie, PA. Officers included Joseph Walczak, Leo Hokaj, Ed Zasada and Joseph (Gardner) Ogrowczyk. The club had six bowling lanes. Annual dues were $3.

Ulpia Traiana Society: Roumanian Club. 1133 Pennsylvania Avenue, Erie, PA. Officers included Florian Hada, George Romocea, John Gaspar, Thomas Radu, Tom Jackson, Jacob Luca and Charles Dumbravo. Incorporated in 1906. The club two bowling lanes and 450 members.  

If you have more information about these clubs circa 1952, or know of any ethnic clubs that I have forgotten to list, please send me an e-mail. Surely one of you has old membership cards tucked away somewhere.

Find more historic photos and and a fun Erie history blog at: Old Time Erie