When our Greek ancestors left their rural villages to escape poverty and pursue opportunities in America, they entered strange and bewildering new worlds in cities such as Chicago and New York. Those who left first, the “pioneers,” paved the way to assist their compatriots who followed. They learned rudimentary English, found employment and housing, and determined how to navigate legal systems and political alliances. They became the primary “links” in the ever-evolving chain of migration.

One such pioneer was Nicholas Calamaras. He and three brothers were among the earliest men to emigrate from the mountaintop Spartan village of Anavryti. In 1895, they made their way to Bordeaux, France, and from there to New York City. Through ingenuity and industriousness, they accumulated enough money to start their own businesses, send money home, and bring family members to the U.S.

Nicholas, however, went one step further. In 1914, he founded and funded an organization to assist newcomers in the bustling New York Greek community: The Greek-American League.

There were many such organizations formed wherever Greeks settled. All aided newcomers by forming the nexus of the immigrant community: organizing a church to practice their Orthodox faith, learning English, catching up on news of their villages, arranging marriages for their sisters/daughters/nieces. However, the Greek-American League – which Nicholas led for 20 years – took one major leap forward: it represented its members in the political arena.

While operating his tiny candy shop in Manhattan, Nicholas was a tireless advocate for the Greek community, extending his influence to local, state and even national politics. Between 1912 and 1934, he worked to support political candidates favorable to Greek issues: law enforcement, business permits, employment, immigration, deportations, export permits, and more. Purporting to represent hundreds of thousands of individuals, churches, businesses and publications, he wielded political power that demanded respect. Although Nicholas did not hold public office, his influence was acknowledged by politicians both locally and nationally until his death in 1939.

Nicholas’ story and the work of The Greek American League would have been lost to history had it not been for two generations of family members who retained his papers. Recently, Dean Calamaras discovered the collection and and set about to catalog and interpret the documents. His work has culminated in the historically important book, The Baron of Second Avenue: Nicholas Calamaras and the Archive of the Greek-American League, A Glimpse into the Greek Immigration Experience in New York.

This book is the first account of the activities of the Greek-American League. It displays the full contents of Nicholas’ archive – correspondence and legal papers 1912-1934, sorted by category, and the writer’s description of their social, historical and political context. Thus, the primary source information in this volume is priceless. Also included are: an annotated Index to all those documents, a separate index of over 100 Greek names appearing in documents, and a selection of pictures highlighting Nicholas’ life and achievements.

Although available on Amazon and at selected bookstores, this paperback book is most economically purchased on the author’s web site: www.calamarasbooks.com for $34.95 + $6.70 shipping.

This volume has enlightened my understanding of the impact of immigrants within their communities, and the power that can be wielded when they are organized and led by a person who is both indominatable and charitable. It is a fascinating read.

I am grateful to Dean for sharing his publication journey with me, and for giving me permission to write this post and print the list of surnames which appear in this book.

Alphabetical Index of Greek Surnames Cited In Documents
of the Greek-American League

Alexandrou K
Anagnostopoulos Argyrios
Anagnostopulos Sp
Antovick John
Apostolou John
Arapis John
Bellios Tom
Bilitsis P
Bilitsis Takis
Braun Thom
Calamaras George
Calamaras P
Calamaras Peter
Calamaras Speros N
Caparell Peter
Carrusula G
Catsanos N
Catsanos Nick
Chrisomalis Char
Chrisomalis P Theo
Chrisomalis William
Christin Em
Chrysomallis James Euth
Chrissomalis Ch
Chryssomallis Char S
Chryssomallis St
Clidas Thomas
Cokkalis Apostol
Cominos Nicholas
Constantino Jamis
Coumantaros NS
Couvaris Theros
Cumantaros George
Darmis John
Demas Demetreos
Dourakos Basiliki
Economakis Christ
Eleftherion Dimitrios
Eliopoulos Sotirio
Farmakis Jim
Fellouris John
Felluris John
Gamanos Calias
Ganos Milt
Garner Takis
Garnier Peter
Gavaris George
Georgiadis P
Gerakaris Louis
Ghotos Jack
Golesteano SM
Gregorakos John
Gregoriades GI
Gregory Steve
Kolias N
Laskas Em
Lelos Athanasios & son
Leras J
Macrides Christoforos
Macrides Margou
Macrides Mike
Macrides Timocles
Makridou Marionga
Mangel Gus
Manos Steve
Memar Ern
Mesologites CG
Michaelidis Bill
Morfogenis Bessie
Morghan Nick
Nastas John
Panafiotis
Papanastasiou
Pappadopoulos Apostollos
Pappadopoulos Nicholas
Pappanastatiou D
Pappas Nick
Pappas Steve
Pappas Thom
Pappatheodoru John
Paranikas Con
Pelitsis P.
Pottaris Bill
Rockas S
Rompos John
Scopas Tom
Spiropoulos Pan
Stamoulis Mathew P
Stefanides ID
Stelakos Panag Theo
Stratos Steve
Thebner Emanuel
Tinger Ch
Toskos Ioan
Touris SA
Tragas Louis
Triantafillakos Thom
Tsirikos James
Tsirikos Louis
Tsirikos Theodore
Varvalides Theo.
Vasiliadis C
Vasilades C
Vouros
Windisch Charles A
Zannos Arris
Zesefianos Panteles