A HUNTING PHOTOGRAPH - Historical Albion Michigan

It’s that time of year when our local hunters are out in the woods and fields hunting down the excess deer population. Hunting is certainly quite an “industry” here in Michigan, and Albion hunters have always looked forward to deer hunting season. It can be a major family event and there have been many stories told and photographs taken through the years.

This week from our Historical Notebook we present a family-type hunting photograph from the early 20th century, taken around 1930. In the center is Sam Vitale (1892-1982) with his cousins, brothers (left) Victor Calderone (1891-1979) and (right) Santo Calderone (1897-1972). The trio would frequently hunt around Albion and bring back small game. Here we see them with a catch of rabbits and a faithful dog alertly standing by.

All three men were natives of Italy. Sam was a local shoe merchant whose shop was located at 103 W. Porter St. in the late 1920s. He moved his store to Charlotte in 1929 and opened a furniture store there in 1939 which he operated until his retirement in the 1970s. Brothers Victor and Santo Calderone opened a beverage distributing company here beginning in 1932. In 1935 Santo moved to Battle Creek, and the Calderone brothers established the Albion Beverage Company. Santo ran the firm in Battle Creek, while Victor operated his portion from the Wiener Building at 210 N. Clinton St.

Hunting was no problem at all for Santo, who had served in the Italian “Bersaglieri” (sharpshooters) during World War I. Victor of course was well known as one of Albion’s most accomplished musicians. He played clarinet in numerous bands and orchestras through the years, including the professional Liberati band in Chicago. Special thanks to Guy Vitale for this week’s photograph.

Be sure and visit the Albion Chamber of Commerce this Christmas season and check out my Albion history books and materials located there. These make great “stocking stuffer” extra gifts and are filled with much information. I am always looking for old Albion photographs and Albion history documents for my research files which helps me in the preparation of these articles. Thank you for your support.

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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