The Trentini Experience

According to historical accounts, during the mid to late 1800's many areas of Trentino experienced sickness, hardship, and severe economic conditions. In the 1850's, disease wiped out potato crops and mulberry bushes, a primary food source for silkworms. In turn, silkworms, the heart of a centuries old industry and economic staple, were destroyed and the industry was severely damaged. In addition to this devastation, in 1882 and 1885 the region suffered from heavy rain, floods, and landslides, resulting in further destruction of crops and trees.

In 1867 Austria and Hungary united under the leadership of Emperor Franz Josef. Over 51 million people lived in the 675,000 square kilometers of the empire. The two largest ethnic groups were Germans (10 million) and Hungarians (9 million). There were also Poles, Croats, Bosnians, Serbians, Italians, Czechs, Ruthenes, Slovenes, Slovaks and Romanians. Overall, fifteen different languages were spoken in the Austro-Hungarian empire. As a result of the ethinic unrest and disatisfaction with the government, the Empire decided to allow those not happy with this arrangement to emigrate to the United States. Between 1820 and 1920 over 3.7 million people emigrated from the Austrian-Hungarian Empire to the United States.

The combination of economic hardship, enviornmental devastation, disease, and ease of immigration sparked a significant exodus from the Trentino  area around the turn of the century.  Many Trentini people fled to the United States, as well as South America (received the bulk of the immigrants), to seek better lives. A common departure point was the city of Trento. From there, an emigrant could travel to the ports of France (Le Havre, Cherbourg), England (Southampton), or Italy (Genoa), to begin their journey. During this time, Trentino remained under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and all Trentini immigrants traveled with Austrian passports. This circumstance helped them avoid much of the discrimination suffered by other Italians.

Of the Trentini that immigrated to the United States, many settled in the mining towns of southwest Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. These destinations were likely the product of heavy advertisements in foreign newspapers by U.S. mining companies, which promised jobs and opportunities for property ownership.


A Common Route

Below is an outline of what Ben Mattivi's journey would have likely encompassed.  His travel experience was probably typical of other Trentini journeys.


From Baselga di Pine`-Tressilla to Trento 

Tressilla is less than 20 kilometers from Trento. Although this seems to be a short distance, Tressilla lies on the plateau of the Dolomites and sits at 972 meters (3,188 feet) above sea level, while Trento lies at 194 meters on the flat ground of the Adige River valley. Based on this information, and the likelihood that only a windy, cobblestone road existed,  travel between the two probably took most of one day.


Trento to Le Havre, France

In the 1880's, Trento became a major railroad center and became a "jumping off" point for Trentini immigrants, as well as Austrian, Yugoslavian, Romanian and other ethnic groups. Le Havre was a major French port for Transatlantic liners. It is about 1300 km from Trento and probably a 2-day train ride during the turn of the century. In total, the initial trip took approximately 3 days.


Le Havre to New York City

By steamship this leg of the trip is estimated to have taken 5-7 days. It was an arduous journey and likely felt much longer to ther steering/third-class passengers.


New York to Silverton, Colorado

The time frame for completion of this final leg is unknown, but likely taken the bulk of a week by train.