Anthony Campagna

Campagna was born in Castelmezzano, Italy in 1884.{{cite news|last1=Rothstein|first1=Mervyn|title=Debating Limits on Landmark No. 1,003|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/16/realestate/debating-limits-on-landmark-no-1003.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=January 16, 1994}} His father was a builder. His brother Armino Campagna (1898–1985), who married his wife's sister Christina Paterno, also moved to New York and worked in real estate with him.{{cite news|title=Joseph J. Campagna|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/01/18/archives/joseph-j-campagna.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=January 18, 1949}}

He received his preliminary education in Potenza, later attended the University of Rome and graduated, with honors, from the law school at the University of Naples in 1906.

After graduating from law school, he moved to Chicago to work with on an Italian language newspaper. During a visit to New York City. he met with several builders inspiring him to change his profession and move to New York.

In 1909, he moved to New York to work for the Paterno Brothers construction firm. Campagna later formed the company Campagna Construction Company, and was responsible for building several of the most prominent luxury apartments in the City following World War I, including 960 Fifth Avenue, 35 Park Avenue and 530 Park Avenue.{{cite news|title=$4,000,000 IS PAID FOR PARK AV. BLOCK; Anthony Campagna Buys West Frontage Between 60th and 61st Streets. TO ERECT LARGE APARTMENT Site Contains 520 Park Avenue, a Twelve-Story Building, and Brearly School.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/03/26/archives/4000000-is-paid-for-park-av-block-anthony-campagna-buys-west.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=26 March 1929}} He also developed 173-175 Riverside Drive which occupied the entire blockfront between 89th Street and 90th Street on the Upper West Side.

In 1927, he purchased 962 Fifth Avenue for $3 million ({{Inflation|US|3000000|1925|r=-3|fmt=eq}}).{{cite news|last1=Gray|first1=Christopher|title=Huguette Clark's 'Worthless' Girlhood Home|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/05/realestate/huguette-clarks-worthless-girlhood-home.html?_r=1|accessdate=19 October 2015|work=The New York Times|date=June 2, 2011}} The building, which was the residence of the late Senator William A. Clark and cost $7 million to build, was sold by Clark's widow and daughter, Huguette Clark, who moved to 907 Fifth Avenue.{{cite news|last1=Hughes|first1=Tyler|title=The Gilded Age Era: 960 Fifth Avenue|url=http://thegildedageera.blogspot.com/2013/02/960-fifth-avenue.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The Gilded Age Era|date=25 February 2013}} Campagana had the mansion torn down just 19 years after it was built in 1911.{{cite news|title='Clark's Folly' Brings Price of $3,000,000 in Sale|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19270202&id=C8oaAAAAIBAJ|accessdate=19 October 2015|publisher=The Pittsburgh Press|date=February 2, 1927}}{{cite news|last1=Gray|first1=Christopher|title=Huguette Clark's 'Worthless' Girlhood Home|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/05/realestate/huguette-clarks-worthless-girlhood-home.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=2 June 2011}} Campagna hired Warren & Wetmore and architect Rosario Candela to design the new building, along with Dorothy Draper, the prominent interior decorator.{{cite news|title=COOPERATIVE BUYERS.; Anthony Campagna Sells Two Suites in 960 Fifth Avenue.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/20/archives/cooperative-buyers-anthony-campagna-sells-two-suites-in-960-fifth.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=20 December 1928}} The building was completed in 1928{{cite web|title=960 Fifth Avenue|url=https://www.nytimes.com/real-estate/usa/ny/new-york/upper-east-side/building/960-fifth-avenue/5190|website=nytimes.com|publisher=NYT Real Estate|accessdate=7 February 2018|language=en}}{{cite web|url=http://www.llnyc.com/45007-board-approved-who-lives-at-960-fifth-avenue|title=Board approved: Who lives at 960 Fifth Avenue?|author=|date=13 April 2016|website=llnyc.com|accessdate=11 August 2017|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811222728/http://www.llnyc.com/45007-board-approved-who-lives-at-960-fifth-avenue|url-status=dead}} and the original apartments were priced from $130,000 to $325,000. More than 75 percent of the apartments were sold before the frame of the building was enclosed.{{cite news|title=HIGH APARTMENT PRICES.; One Owner in 960 Fifth Avenue Has Suite of Twenty Rooms.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/06/archives/high-apartment-prices-one-owner-in-960-fifth-avenue-has-suite-of.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=6 May 1928}} The largest initial stockholder in the building was Dr. Preston Pope Satterwhite who reportedly paid $450,000 for his 20-room apartment, which was considered the most expensive cooperative sale ever paid at the time.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Jonathan|title=A Fifth Avenue Co-op's 87-Year Price Increase was 3.6X Rate of Inflation|url=https://www.millersamuel.com/a-fifth-avenue-co-ops-87-year-price-increase-was-3-6x-rate-of-inflation/|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants|date=1 August 2014}}

In 1935, as the executive head of Rialto Times Square Inc., he was responsible for tearing down the old Rialto Theatre, developed by Paramount Pictures and located at 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue.{{cite news|title=CAMPAGNA BACKS TIMES SQ. PROJECT; Builder Heads Syndicate Which Plans Modern Structure on Rialto Site.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/11/22/archives/campagna-backs-times-sq-project-builder-heads-syndicate-which-plans.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=22 November 1934}} After Campagna demolished the theatre, he rebuilt it on a smaller scale and dedicated the rest of the building to shops and office space.{{cite news|title=ANIMAL FILM OPENS NEW RIALTO TODAY; Frank Buck's 'Fang and Claw' Is First Offering of Theatre -- Programs to Be for Men.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/12/25/archives/animal-film-opens-new-rialto-today-frank-bucks-fang-and-claw-is.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=25 December 1935}}

In addition, he was the founder of the Casa Italiana at Columbia University, which was originally opened as an outreach of the Italian government of Benito Mussolini.{{cite aia5|page-496}}{{cite book|last1=LaGumina|first1=Salvatore J.|last2=Cavaioli|first2=Frank J.|last3=Primeggia|first3=Salvatore|last4=Varacalli|first4=Joseph A.|title=The Italian American Experience: An Encyclopedia|date=1999|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9780203801147|page=101|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u2SZ5avlZ24C&pg=PA101|accessdate=7 February 2018|language=en}} In 1926-27, he hired William M. Kendall of McKim, Mead & White to design the building in the Renaissance style, modeled after a 15th-century Roman palazzo,{{cite nycland}} p.195 which was built by his firm.

He traveled back to Italy and helped restore Virgil's tomb in Naples and a Roman tower in Minturno.{{cite web|title=Anthony Campagna {{!}} Anthony Campagna was a developer responsible for the demolition of Greenwich Village's "House of Genius" and the Brokaw Mansion.|url=http://www.nypap.org/preservation-history/anthony-campagna/|website=www.nypap.org|publisher=The New York Preservation Archive Project|accessdate=7 February 2018}}

In 1929, he was conferred the order of Grand Officer of the Crown of Italy by Dr. Emanuele Grazzi, Consul General of Italy.{{cite news|title=ANTHONY CAMPAGNA FETED BY FRIENDS; Crown of Italy Order Is Conferred at TestimonialDinner.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/12/15/archives/anthony-campagna-feted-by-friends-crown-of-italy-order-is-conferred.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=15 December 1929}}

In 1930, he was bestowed with the title Count of Castelmezzano by King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. Reportedly, he did not use the title, stating: "Builder is title enough."

In 1943, Campagna was appointed by New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia to replace Dr. Bonaschi and serve as a Bronx member of the New York City Board of Education.{{cite news|title=New Board Member|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/12/03/archives/new-board-member.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=3 December 1943}} He served as chairman on the Committee of Building and Sites in the 1940s,{{cite news|last1=Campagna|first1=Anthony|title=Providing Emergency Schools|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/04/06/archives/providing-emergency-schools.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=6 April 1949}} and directed a $100 million program to construct schools.{{cite news|title=$1,500,000 SOUGHT FOR SCHOOL WORK; Previous Allotment of Same Amount Already Allocated for Repairs to 8 Buildings|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/04/30/archives/1500000-sought-for-school-work-previous-allotment-of-same-amount.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=30 April 1947}}{{cite news|title=98 SCHOOLS LISTED FOR CONSTRUCTION; Delays Have Allowed Revision of Plans by Architects, Campagna Reports COST PUT AT $130,000,000 Building of Red Brick, With Limestone Trim and Granite Base Cited as Example|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/03/08/archives/98-schools-listed-for-construction-delays-have-allowed-revision-of.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=8 March 1946}} He retired from the Board in 1949.

File:Telshe Driveway.png

Campagna was married to Marie Paterno (1885–1967). She was the daughter of Giovanni Paterno and Carolina Trivigno Paterno and the sister of Joseph and Charles V. Paterno.{{cite news|title=Mrs. Campagna|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/08/23/archives/mrs-campagna.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=23 August 1967}}{{cite news|title=JOSEPH PATERNO, BUILDER; 58, DEAD; Pioneer in the Construction of Skyscraper Apartments Succumbs to Pneumonia WAS NEWSBOY IN YOUTH Head of Paterno Bros., Inc., Since 1899--Decorated by Italian Government|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/14/archives/joseph-paterno-builder-58-dead-pioneer-in-the-construction-of.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=14 June 1939}} Marie was also from Castelmezzano and was the daughter of his former employer at Paterno Brothers. Together, they were the parents of:

• Joseph Anthony Campagna, who married Irene Harriet Dunkak, daughter of Henry Dunkak, in 1937.{{cite news|title=MISS IRENE DUNKAK BEGOMES ENGAGED; Mount Vernon Girl Betrothed to Joseph Anthony Campagna, Son of Count.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/27/archives/miss-irene-dunkak-begomes-engaged-mount-vernon-girl-betrothed-to.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=27 December 1936}}{{cite news|title=MISS IRENE DUNKAK MARRIED IN CHURCH; Westchester Girl's Marriage to Joseph A. Campagna Is Held at St. Thomas|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B04E2DF1739E733A25755C0A9609C946694D6CF&legacy=true|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=6 June 1937}}{{cite news|title=MRS. CAMPAGNA FILES SUIT; Sues Son of Count in Reno for a Divorce|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/07/08/archives/mrs-campagna-files-suit-sues-son-of-count-in-reno-for-a-divorce.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=8 July 1942}}
• John J. Campagna, who married Irene Winslow, the daughter of Dr. Paul Vergil Winslow,{{cite news|title=Paid Notice: Deaths CAMPAGNA, SUSAN W.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/24/classified/paid-notice-deaths-campagna-susan-w.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=24 July 2005}} in 1937.{{cite news|title=WEDDING IN CHURCH FOR IRENE WINSLOW; Marriage to John J. Campagna Takes Place at I'Eglise de Notre Dame Here|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/09/19/archives/wedding-in-church-for-irene-winslow-marriage-to-john-j-campagna.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=19 September 1937}}

Campagna died in his sleep at the age of 84 on May 8, 1969, at his apartment in Delmonico's Hotel in New York City.{{cite news|title=Anthony Campagna Dies at 84; Led School Building Program|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/05/09/archives/anthony-campagna-dies-at-84-led-school-building-program.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=9 May 1969}} He was interred at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York.

Campagna and his wife lived in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, where Campagna purchased land from Percy Rivington Pyne and built the now landmark palatial residence at 640 West 249th Street,{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/16/realestate/debating-limits-on-landmark-no-1003.html?pagewanted=all |title=Debating Limits on Landmark No. 1,003 |work=New York Times |accessdate=2018-03-03}}{{cite book|last1=Commission|first1=New York (N Y. ) Landmarks Preservation|title=Anthony Campagna Estate, 640 West 249th Street, The Bronx: Architect Dwight James Baum : [report]|date=1993|publisher=The Commission|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z39CAwEACAAJ|accessdate=7 February 2018|language=en}} across the street from Wave Hill, the "oldest Riverdale mansion" and the former residence of Arturo Toscanini, Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, and George Walbridge Perkins.{{cite web|title=Anthony Campagna Residence - Riverdale (Bronx), NY|url=https://www.nycago.org/Organs/Brx/html/ResCampagnaA.html|website=www.nycago.org|accessdate=7 February 2018}}{{cite web|title=ANTHONY CAMPAGNA ESTATE 640 West 249th Street, The Bronx.|url=http://www.neighborhoodpreservationcenter.org/db/bb_files/Anthony-Campagna-Estate.pdf|website=neighborhoodpreservationcenter.org|publisher=Landmark Preservation Committee|accessdate=7 February 2018}} The home, modeled after an Italian villa, was built in 1929 to 1930 and was designed by architect Dwight James Baum and landscape architect Ferruccio Vitale and his partner, Alfred Geiffert, Jr., who won the 1934 gold medal in landscape architecture from the Architectural League of New York for the property. As of 2011, the building was owned by Yeshiva of Telshe Alumni.{{cite book|last1=Diamonstein-Spielvogel|first1=Barbaralee|title=The Landmarks of New York, Fifth Edition: An Illustrated Record of the City's Historic Buildings|date=2011|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=9781438437712|page=605|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o8ym5NeiylkC&pg=PA605|accessdate=7 February 2018|language=en}}

Through his son John, he was the grandfather of David Winslow Campagna (b. 1939),{{cite news|title=John J. Campagnas Have Son|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/03/archives/john-j-campagnas-have-son.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=3 April 1939}} who married Jered A. McAllister in 1963.{{cite news|title=Jered McAllister Is Fiancee Of David Winslow Campagna|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/11/25/archives/jered-mcallister-is-fiancee-of-david-winslow-campagna.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=25 November 1962}}{{cite news|title=Father Escorts Miss McAllister At Her Marriage; Bride Attended by 6 at Garden City Wedding to David Campagna|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/06/23/archives/father-escorts-miss-mcallister-at-her-marriage-bride-attended-by-6.html|accessdate=7 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=23 June 1963}}

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Category:1884 births

Category:1969 deaths

Category:Italian emigrants to the United States

Category:People from Castelmezzano

Category:American businesspeople in real estate

Category:University of Rome Tor Vergata alumni

Category:University of Naples Federico II alumni

Category:American construction businesspeople

Category:Burials at Ferncliff Cemetery