In the early 1900s, the sardine industry began to grow. Eric Abrahamson, in his "Historic Monterey: California's First Capital," describes the growth of that industry, which soon became synonymous with Monterey: "by 1913, the local fishermen, many of Italian descent and recruited by (Sicilian fisherman Pietro) Ferrante, were catching 25 tons of sardines a night. By 1918, nine canneries were packing 1.4 million cases of sardines each year and Monterey was the 'Sardine Capital of the World.' "

The sardines disappeared about 45 years ago, but the sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters of those Italian fishermen now play significant roles in all aspects of community life.