Marin County

Italian-Americans have been a major part of Marin County’s history and culture for over a century. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, many Italian immigrants from Lonate Pozzolo and other areas of Italy and the Swiss Ticino Canton made their way to San Rafael and other towns in the Bay Area.The first Italians in San Rafael found work at McNear’s Brickyard, which had been producing bricks at San Pedro Point since 1868. Many lived in bachelor quarters on the McNear property. Friends and relatives followed, and soon McNear’s had a crew of hard-working Lonatese, including Tony Rostoni, Dominic Arbini and Frank Locati. Italian-Americans opened grocery stores, butcher shops, bakeries and bars. Some of the men, including John Zaro, Peter Turrini, Anibale Egisti and Pasquale Rossi, worked as gardeners on the estates of Marin County’s wealthy elite. Caesare Bettini became the beloved head gardener at the Gerstle Estate. Mario Soldavini took over the position when Bettini retired.

Women who had worked in silk factories in Lonate found factory jobs at the Carson Glove Factory. Other women worked in local shops or took jobs as domestic workers. Paulina Pina Franzini served for decades as a cook and caretaker for Louise Boyd. The bachelors needed housing, so some women took in boarders and did laundry. Over time the younger generations became Americanized. Milanis, Arbinis, Brusatoris, Zanonis, Canzianis and many other descendants of the original Italian settlers have contributed immeasurably to San Rafael’s development. Eleanor Garatti, whose parents sold ravioli and salami in their grocery store on B Street, brought home Olympic medals for swimming in 1928. Ceasare Bettini’s son, C. Paul Bettini, became San Rafael’s mayor from 1965 to 1979. Not only did Italian-Americans bring their culture, but also their work ethic to Marin County. Through their hard work and dedication to their craft, they were able to create and sustain businesses that have become part of the fabric of San Rafael and the surrounding area. The Gruppo Lonatese was formed to promote closer ties with Lonate Pozzolo and to restore Albert Park, a run down park in San Rafael. Through hard work and many garage sales and polenta dinners, the group raised funds to restore the park. In 1997, the Lonatese Gardens were completed in the park. The gardens cost $200,000 and most of the funds came from individuals and local businesses, including Ghilotti Construction and McNear’s Brickyard. The Italian-American culture in San Rafael and Marin County has been a major part of the area’s history and culture for over a century. From their hard work and dedication to their craft to their contributions to the community, Italian-Americans have made a lasting impact on Marin County.