The first recorded land and building owner of this site was the Moyamensing Hose Company, a volunteer fire company organized in 1837. It was disbanded when the professional Philadelphia Fire Department was created in 1872. This was a period when the Washington Avenue Immigration Station was receiving many new arrivals from Italy. Some of these immigrants settled here in Bella Vista, which became the second-largest “Little Italy” in America, eclipsed only by New York City. In 1874, the Moyamensing Hose Company property at 746 S. 8th St. was purchased by Societa’ di Unione e Fratellanza Italiana (The Union and Italian Brotherhood Society), who renamed the building Columbus Hall. The old firehouse was demolished, replaced by the beautiful building that still stands today. For many years, it was home to several different associations that helped Italian immigrants adjust to life in the city. They provided financial aid, social gatherings, and fellowship for newcomers.