Photographs and postcard of Villa Joe's in Coney Island
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Abstract
The collection documents the history of Villa Joe's, a family-run Italian restaurant that was located in Coney Island from 1915 to 1975.The photographs show exterior and interior views of the restaurant in 1965, an exterior view of the restaurant in 1955, and two group portraits showing the proprietors, Joseph and Fausta Palescandolo, their three children, and the restaurant staff, in 1922 and again in 1927.
Historical note
Villa Joe's was a family-owned restaurant in Coney Island that was located on West 15th Street. The restaurant was founded, owned, and operated by Giuseppe (later known as Joseph) and Fausta Palescandolo. Giuseppe Palescandolo immigrated to New York from Naples, Italy in September 1907 when he was seventeen years old. He initially lived in Manhattan and ran a restaurant located on 14th Street on the East Side. Around the outbreak of World War I, the Austrian-born owner of the building where his restaurant was located evicted him. In 1915, Giuseppe and Fausta took over Masaniello, an abandoned italian restaurant in Coney Island dating to back to circa 1875, and the Palescandolo family moved from Manhattan to Coney Island. In 1925, the Palescandolo's changed the name of the restaurant to Villa Joe's. As Villa Joe's, the restaurant also included a cafe chantant with an in-house orchestrina, comics, singers (all Neapolitan), and a speakeasy. Eventually, the restaurant was taken over other family members. First as Masaniello and then as Villa Joe's, the restaurant ran continually from 1915 to 1975. The building was later demolished.
Sources:
- Palescandolo, Frank J. Remembrance of a Restaurant: A Decameron of Dining. Lincoln, Neb.: Writers Club Press, 2001.
Scope and Contents
The Photographs and postcard of Villa Joe's in Coney Island consist of eight color photographic prints taken in 1965, three black-and-white photographic prints dating from 1922 to 1955, and one photographic postcard, circa 1932. The collection documents the history of Villa Joe's, a family-run Italian restaurant that was located in Coney Island from 1915 to 1975.The photographs show exterior and interior views of the restaurant in 1965, an exterior view of the restaurant in 1955, and two group portraits showing the proprietors, Joseph and Fausta Palescandolo, their three children, and the restaurant staff, in 1922 and again in 1927.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
Reproduction rights for the photographs have not been evaluated. For information on securing rights to publish or reproduce, please see the Brooklyn Historical Society Reproduction Rights Policy.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Photographs and postcard of Villa Joe's in Coney Island, V1992.014, Box number, Object ID number; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Frank J. Palescandolo, 1992.
Other Finding Aids
Item level description and digital versions of images from the collection are available for searching via the image database in the library. Please consult library staff for more information.
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Processing Information
Fully processed to the item level.
