It's a small Central New York village tucked away in southern Herkimer County. The village of Frankfort is a friendly place about 2,500 people call home. Although the village was settled by Germans in the early 1700’s, many Italian immigrants began to make it their home at the end of the ninetieth century. In this week's edition of your hometown, our Brad Vivacqua brings us the story of his hometown, and how the area continues to have a strong Italian population today.

FRANKFORT, N.Y. -- It's only fitting that the Village of Frankfort was named after a man named Frank. Lawrence Frank, a German, first settled here in Southern Herkimer County in the mid 1700’s.

A number of German and Irish settlers followed, but in the late 1800’s something changed. Between 1880 and 1920, thousands of Italian immigrants from mainly the southern part of Italy, began descending upon the northeastern United States.

Many of them chose Frankfort as the place to call home. Both the town and the village became a popular area for industrial work, farming and the Westshore Railroad.

"When the railroads were very popular that brought the Italians to Frankfort, and they settled here and eventually they got into shops, and businesses of their own,” said Catherine Hext, town historian.

"The railroad was one of the key manufacturing businesses in our area. The Italians had a knack for working at those types of foundries. So, with the main hub here in Frankfort, that brought a lot of the Italians, once they crossed at Ellis Island, they just took the rail up here to Frankfort,” said Frank Moracco, Village Mayor.

In addition to work, some started organizations and clubs that continue to exist today.

In 1917, the Addolorata Society was started by a group of Italian women under the direction of Gabriella DePalma. A group of members continue to maintain a chapel and a prayer garden in the village today.

"It's the adoration of the Blessed Mother. That is actually what this organization is all about. And for many, many years, back in the fifties and sixties, we used to have many celebrations down here. And bring all the communities, the Italians, and everyone to gather and everyone would have just a wonderful time,” said Angie Caiola, Addolorata Society President.

The Saint Francis Society includes about 300 active members today. The club started in 1927 by a group of about 40 male immigrants from Oriolo Italy to honor their patron Saint Francis Di Paola.

Records indicate it remains the oldest Saint Francis society in the world. Every June, the club holds its annual Italian festival in its pavilion for the community.

"There's still the ancestors of the original members, and we even have some of the original members sons and daughters come here to our festival each year. And, they just think it's a great thing because it's still running, it's been 84 years now,” said Jon Feduccia, Saint Francis Society.

Aside from organizations, many signs of Italian heritage can be seen. Data compiled from the US Census shows roughly 45 percent of the people living in the village today claim to have Italian ancestors.

Meanwhile, the 2000 census ranked the Town of Frankfort fifth in the country for the highest concentration of Italians living among US towns.

"I think a lot of people even who have left, originally from Frankfort that have left this community and come back, and they come back because they feel like this is home and it shows,” said Moracco.

Of course, what would an Italian community be without great food and pastries? Well take just one quick stroll through the heart of this community and you'll find an abundance of good Italian specialties.

"If you think you've had some good Italian dishes elsewhere in your travels, I would love for you to try the Italian restaurants that we have here in our community. We're second to none. They can try to imitate us, but they can't duplicate us,” said Moracco.

"The hospitality is incredible. The Italians are noted for that. So, our homes are always open to our neighbors and our friends,” said Angie.

The Saint Francis Society is inviting the community to its annual Italian Festival on Palmer Street, June third through the 5th.