Life was not easy for the Italian immigrants who help create the community, including Angelo Squicquero. Italian immigrants helped build the railroads that opened the area to industries. They helped build the roads, streets and houses. Some returned to Italy, but many stayed to work here and build the community.

They faced all the challenges of immigrants in a foreign land, including the language barrier. Because of all the difficulties, they formed the Sons of Italy Lodge 608 in 1916, just 25 years after Ellwood City became a borough.