The Rossi Story

Volunteers at the Lafayette Historical Society know history is around every corner, sometimes quite literally. Take Rossi and Angelo Streets in Lafayette. Some citizens might be familiar with the immigrant pioneer Rossi family, but Angelo Street owes its name to a son of the Rossi clan, named, what else, Angelo Rossi. The history behind these streets is one of the premiere families in Lafayette history.

Angelo’s family story is a classic tale of hard work and success in blossoming California. His father, Serafino Rossi, made his way to California from Giustina, Italy in 1906 after his older brother Tony had earned enough money washing windows in Oakland to send for his brother. After a year of work at a candy factory, Serafino learned of another Italian immigrant, Joseph Ghiglione, who had land in the Happy Valley area. Serafino made the move to help Ghiglione work his land.

After two years of working for Ghiglione, Serafino moved to Reliez Valley and became one of three families living in the area. He built a house for about $100 on neighbor Ed Rowland’s land near where Springhill School now stands and share-cropped for Rowland. Serafino saved money to buy acreage a few parcels at a time, and eventually his estate was comprised of 152 acres growing corn, tomatoes, potatoes, pears and peaches, and boasted a three room house with indoor plumbing. It also boasted his new charming wife, Mary, whom he married in 1916.

Serafino continued farming and in time he and Mary had three children, Frank, Serafine and Angelo. The family sold produce in Oakland, only reachable after a 4 or 5-hour journey up Fish Ranch Road or through the very narrow, recently opened tunnel. Avoiding wildlife such as coyotes, which Serafino recalls deterring with his rifle, the family became well known in the area for their sugary pears and heads of beef raised by Mary.

All three children attended area schools, and Angelo graduated from Acalanes High in 1941. Drafted into the 27th Infantry Division during World War II, Angelo courted his future wife Gloria – whom he met at a Frank Sinatra show at the Sweets Ballroom in Oakland – via letters for the entire 3 ½ years of his deployment.

Angelo returned to his family in Lafayette after he received a Bronze Star and 2 Purple Hearts, married Gloria and moved into the house they were to occupy for 56 years. Serafino, meanwhile, stopped farming and opened a furniture store, which was staffed by his sons. The store stood for almost 30 years on Mt. Diablo Blvd near where the Park Hotel stands and featured handcrafted furniture by the Rossi family.

Eventually, Serafino began a reversal of his initial purchase of his estate and began to parcel out acres to developers. While the Rossi homes on Reliez Valley Road and Hilltop are still occupied, they are no longer in the Rossi family. However, both Rossi and Angelo streets proudly bear the names of the hard working family who helped settle the Reliez Valley area and make Lafayette the beautiful, well-known town it is today.

 -Amanda Berkson-Brand