99
years of service to the Italian American Community...

L'Italo-Americano
was founded in 1908 by Gabriello Spini, a learned Florentine, who wanted
to "Inform, Unite and Assist" the rising Italian American
community of Los Angeles. In 1924 Cleto Baroni, Spini's nephew, becomes
Associate Editor, and in 1933 assumes sole ownership and editorial responsibility
of L'Italo-Americano directing its destiny singlehandedly for 38 years.
In 1963 Gabriello Spini dies at age 89.
Mr.
Baroni, to ensure stability of service, sells L'Italo-Americano (1971)
to The Fathers of St. Charles (Scalabrinians) and Fr. Mario Trecco becomes
the new editor of the newspaper. Under Trecco's responsibility many
improvements are made to the existing format, and in 1980 L'Italo-Americano
acquires L'Eco d'Italia of San Francisco becoming the only Italian newspaper
on the West Coast. Two years later Cleto Baroni dies at age 85, after
65 years of service to the newspaper.
In
1983 L'Italo-Americano celebrates its diamond jubilee and in 1986 acquires
a more modern look by going tabloid size. Trecco remains in charge of
L'Italo-Americano until 1990 when Fr. Augusto Feccia becomes the new
editor. More improvements are introduced into the paper, such as the
upgrading of the computer system from Compugraphic to Apple MacIntosh.
In 1998 Fr. Feccia relinquishes the position of editor to Fr. Ermete
Nazzani.
Fr.
Nazzani's first decision is to call back Mario Trecco as editor. The
Fathers of Saint Charles in 1999 sell L'Italo-Americano to Mr. Mario
Trecco, who becomes sole owner and director.
As
of July 1st. 2004 L'Italo-Americano became the property of L'Italo American
Foundation, under the direction of Head Publisher Robert Barbera. Mario
Trecco remains the Editor of the newspaper.
