Last spring was the first time in decades the American flag was raised on the 70-foot pole.

After years of sitting idle, it’s among the first signs of life the Friends of the Duke of Abruzzi have brought back to the building at 401 McGillis Ave., named a historical landmark in 1983.

“The group met last year with the idea — ‘Why don’t we change what’s happening here?’ — with the possible plans on developing a community park,” member Bob Ketchum said.

In spring 2019, they began clearing the area next to the bocce courts for two or three picnic tables under the trees, in hopes of bringing in a swing set from the former Lincoln School north of Iron River.

JOHN HONZIK LOOKS AT the original wine press, where many gallons of wine were made and sold out of the basement at the Italian Society Duke of Abruzzi Hall in Caspian. Members say two train cars of grapes would be brought into Caspian each year for making wine locally.

“Then the suggestion was made to bring back the whole building,” Ketchum said, adding, “and so it began.”

The Friends now are raising funds to restore to the hall originally built in 1914 as a fraternal lodge by the Duca Degli Abruzzi Italian Society, formed in 1909 by Italian men living in Caspian. The only significant change made in more than a century is the yellow brick facade added in 1929.

The primary projects that need to be addressed immediately are replacing the roof and fixing a basement wall that has buckled.

“Either we save it or let it go,” said member Joe Fittante, whose father, Joe, served as president of the Italian organization for 45 years.

The dance hall, which holds about 200 people, still has its original tin ceiling and walls.

Duke of Abruzzi Hall in Caspian.

It also has a large kitchen that served many meals over the years, including the Columbus Day Convention celebrating its Italian heritage.

As early as 1914, members met on Oct. 12 and paraded through town carrying American and Lodge flags, ending up at the clubhouse for a feast and activities.

The Italian Society hosted the annual public event as a fundraiser. It also drew many former Upper Peninsula lawmakers over the years, including Dominic Jacobetti of Negaunee, Joe Mack of Ironwood and Jim Constantini of Iron Mountain.

“There was great food, music and lots of wine,” Fittante said. “So there weren’t a lot of sober people when they were done.”

A framed picture of the Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi, still is displayed on the bar.

Terri Castelaz/Daily News photos MEMBERS OF THE DUKE of Abruzzi Bocce League enjoy an afternoon of play at the courts in Caspian. Mike Fittante rolls while looking on are, from left, players Colleen Smetak, Leslie Foster and John Honzik.

Another authentic feature is the slide window in the basement door that allowed members to see who wanted to enter.

“In terms of 1920s Prohibition, it was a ‘speakeasy,'” Ketchum said.

Many gallons of wine were made and sold out of the basement.

“Two train cars full of grapes would roll into Caspian,” Fittante said. “Many other local residents also made their own wine.”

The original wine press still sits in the back near the dirt floor cellar, where they would hang homemade soppressa, an Italian aged salami.

DEBBIE FITTANTE SETS up for the Friends of the Duke of Abruzzi marketplace sale to raise funds for restoration of the building. The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the building east of McGillis Avenue between Morgan and Sawyer streets in Caspian.

“I started coming here when I was 6 years old to help my dad clean the sopressas,” Fittante said. He explained how when the meat is being cured, mold regularly needs to be wiped off with oil.

Many nights, the downstairs bar would be the site for playing smear and Morra, an Italian finger-counting game.

“I remember my dad coming home with a hoarse voice and thumb scarred from hitting the table so hard,” Fittante said with a laugh. “They would get loud and pretty soon they would be standing up.”

During the mining era, Italian workers would rent out rooms in the back of the lodge.

“The place has a lot of history — so many stories,” Fittante said.

Booklet from the 1971 annual Columbus Day Cnvention.

While the Society at one point had close to 400 members, it began to decline as Italians married other nationalities. Those applying for membership, he explained, needed to be at least half Italian descent to be considered. Any individual born in the region or outside of Italy with at least one Italian parent was eligible and would be recommended by two members before members voted on whether to accept.

Funerals were an issue as well. When a member died, other members were expected to walk from the funeral home to the cemetery and could be fined if they didn’t show up. Yet many couldn’t afford to take time off from work to attend a funeral.

“Back then that was a lot of money, so people started dropping out,” he said.

So what primarily was a social club for Italians morphed into more universal community use but still connected to the Italians.

“A lot of memories were made here,” Ketchum said.

Bocce, also known as Italian lawn bowling, has long been played in a grass court alongside the hall. Without a tape measure years ago, the men would use branches or goldenrod to measure for points.

“Many arguments evolved from using crooked twigs,” Ketchum said.

The Dukes of Abruzzi started a bocce league about 32 years ago, developing four courts.

The courts still see a lot of activity during the week, with eight teams of men and six co-ed teams, their members ranging in age from 20 to almost 90, Fittante said.

“Everyone gets along,” he said. “There’s a lot of camaraderie.”

The league does maintenance and upgrades when needed on the courts each year. They recently added backs to the bleachers and benches with plaques memorializing members no longer living.

That led to thinking about what to do with the building itself.

“We began with the idea of a memorial park,” Ketchum said, “and here we are, set to replace the roof.”

As part of the fundraising projects, the Friends have been doing “marketplace” sales in the building since the first week of July.

“We had tremendous support of our efforts,” said Debbie Ketchum, a member and sale organizer. “We aren’t willing to let the building go. It’s so worth saving.”

Once they start the roof project, scheduled for October, there is no turning back — they then have to save it, Fittante said.

They will continue with the marketplace-type sales from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through the end of October.

Organizers still are taking donations for the sale but ask that no TVs or older electronic items be submitted. Items can be dropped off at the white doors in the back of the building, which is between Morgan and Sawyer streets in Caspian. For more information, call 906-284-9733 or 402-312-2257.

The Friends are considering other fundraisers as well, including selling T-shirts and Dina Mia pizzas.

Monetary donations can be made to: The Friends of the Duke of Abruzzi, P.O. Box 204 or P.O. Box 214, Caspian, MI 49915.

“We have been talking about the possibility of moving the better-quality items to the Windsor Center in the winter months to keep funds generated,” Debbie Ketchum said.

The Friends of Duke of Abruzzi are focused on what will be needed for the next project, including seeking a grant in the future.

“We are looking for someone to help us with the wording of the grant,” Fittante said. Anyone interested can contact any member.

“We want to bring this entire entity back from retirement,” Ketchum said, “and give it back to the community.”

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.

Bocce players from left, Larry Evanoff, Dave Mangone, Mike Fittante, Leslie Foster, Mike Kmiecik and Colleen Smetak.

Larry Evanoff, left and Dave Mangone.

Larry Evanoff, left and Dave Mangone.

Leslie Foster and Mike Kmiecik.