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The Arcadians of America: A Historical Journey By John G. Siolas, Ph.D.

Greece is a global society with diverse nationalities and languages. The Pan Arcadian Federation of America (PFA) continues to hold the beacon of Hellenism alive. The Arcadians have an inner drive to immigrate for economic advancement. They never forget their roots, striving to return to Arcadia. The first Arcadian societies were formed in urban center to aid new immigrants. In 1931, The Pan Arcadian Federation of America was formed to promote Hellenism among the first generation born to Arcadian immigrants. The "Geros Tou Morea" chapter, New York, was first chapter and dominant force in the PFA. Athanasios Angelopoulos, Nick Bakopoulos and Alexander Sioris were the founders.


The "Geros Tou Morea" chapter held socials, created journal books, held meetings, dinners and picnics as part of its network. Prominent persons have attended. Constantine Karamanlis, former Prime Minister and President of the Greek Democracy, attended a dinner at the Astor Hotel on August 17th, 1946. The Pan Arcadian Federation was the largest Greek-American organization after AHEPA in its first twenty-thirty years of existence. The Pan Arcadian Federation of America realized the necessity of forming a hospital in Arcadia, Greece. The building of the Pan Arcadian Hospital in Tripolis began in the spring of 1947. The Hospital was completed in May 1950. The building project cost was about 3 and a half million dollars with two hundred and fifty-six beds. It was considered to be the foremost and largest hospital of the Balkans in this time period. The Pan Arcadian Hospital has rendered medical care to all for six decades.

Western District PFA History Project

Alex Rigopoulos presented a report on the Western PFA District History Project at the 2010 District Convention in San Jose. Please refer to the Guidelines/Questionaire when preparing your Chapter's history. You can email your Chapter's history write-up and photos to the Western District Website Administrator: gbooras@epri.com

The photo below (courtesy of Alex Rigopoulos) was taken at the 17th Pan Arcadian Banquet at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on August 5, 1948.

The next photo (courtesy of Virginia Kallins) shows the opening of the Pan Arcadian Hospital in Tripolis Greece in 1951. Dr. James Kallins was a medical student and gave a speech at this inaugural event. He was surrounded by Pan Arcadians from the United States and Greece.

San Francisco United Arcadian #35 Chapter History

 

Download a brief history of the San Francisco Pan Arcadian Chapter. You can also view San Francisco Chapter photos.

 

Oakland Skopi #85 Chapter History

 

Download a brief history of the Oakland Pan Arcadian Chapter. You can also view Oakland Chapter History photos.

San Diego Tegea #101 Chapter History

 

You can view the San Diego Chapter History photos here.

 

Los Angeles Nea Mantineia #102 Chapter History

 

Download a brief history of the Los Angeles Pan Arcadian Chapter.

 

San Jose Theodoros Kolokotronis #103 Chapter History

 

Download a brief history of the San Jose Pan Arcadian Chapter.

 

Las Vegas Alea #115 Chapter History

 

You can view the Las Vegas Chapter History photos here.

 

Individual Arcadian Family Histories

 

Please send us your 1-page family history write-ups so that we can post them on our website. You can email your 1-page write-up to the Western District Website Administrator: gbooras@epri.com

 

George Booras - Oakland - Skopi #85

 

Dean Cero - Las Vegas - Alea #115

 

Peter Kyprios - Las Vegas - Alea #115

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