Oakland Scavengers dues receipt 1910

Description:
Receipt from Scavenger Protection Association (Oakland Scavenger Association) monthly dues payment made by Carlo Avanzino.

Date of Document:
14-May-10

Document Author:
Oakland Scavenger Association

Geographic Location:
411 48th Street, Oakland, Calif.

Context:
In the first decade of the 20th century, garbage collection in Oakland was provided by independent collectors most of whom traced their lineage to the northern Italian region of Liguria who drove their horse-drawn garbage wagons to individual customers throughout the city. Competition for customers was fierce, and so in 1909, collectors banded together to form the all-Italian Oakland Scavenger Association. By 1920, it officially incorporated as the Oakland Scavenger Company, an employee-owned business. The enterprise, which included recycling and composting services, expanded into other East Bay cities. In 1986, Oakland Scavengers was acquired by Waste Management, Inc., a corporation operating throughout the U.S. and Canada.Carlo Avanzino (1869-1945) worked as an Oakland Scavenger. Tillio Avanzino s (Carlo's youngest son) birth certificate from Nov. 23, 1915 listed Carlo s occupation as Scavenger. Carlo Giuseppe Avanzino was born in Torriglia, Italy. His wife, Pasqualina Palmira (Costa) Avanzino (1885-1965) was born in Donetta, a village that is part of Torriglia. They married in October 1909, following Pasqualina's arrival in February 1909 (via Ellis island) to the U.S. from Italy. Carlo and Pasqualina were living at 566 45th Street in Temescal when their first child, Joseph, was born on November 14, 1910. Soon after, on November 25, 1910, Carlo bought the house at 415 48th Street (it is uncertain whether they ever lived there, but they probably did). On July 29, 1915, Carlo bought the house at 409 48th Street and moved in just before their son, Tillio, was born. (In 1922, he paid taxes on the 415 48th Street house, and in January 1923 he had some painting and electrical work done at the property, so it is assumed he continued to own it.) In around 1926, Carlo moved the 409 48th Street house to the back of the property and built a new house, 411 48th Street, at the front of the property. In April 28, 1928, Carlo bought the house at 413 48th Street from his uncle,