The first documented Greek immigrants arrived in America in 1768. These Greeks, along with Majorcans, Italians and Corsicans, were brought here by the English and settled in what is now Florida. A Greek by the name of Yanis Yanopoulos was responsible for building the first school house in the United States at St. Augustine, Florida.The next Greek immigration occurred in the 1900s with Greeks arriving in Imperial Valley in 1910. They used their strong work ethic to become successful restauranteurs, merchants and farmers.
Many of the Valley's early restaurants and cafes were owned by Greeks. Long-time Valley residents can't forget Pete and Sam Shenas' "City Limits Cafe," the Legakes Brothers "Old Mission," or Bill Parsos' "Valley Cafe." Many of these Greek restauranteurs played a vital part in the construction of the All American Canal by feeding the hungry workers who toiled long hours building the canal.
The Kurupas, Stergios, Karambelas and Zenos families were among the Greeks who achieved extraordinary success in the Imperial Valley's farming industry. John Zenos, a native of the Greek isle of Embros, became known as the "Carrot King" of Imperial Valley.
Merchants such as Harry Orfanos, George Polos and Bill Karalis were among the first wave of Greek immigrants which consisted mainly of men. While many married women of the local populace, additional immigrants arrived when many of these sent for, or went to Greece to bring back, brides and families left behind earlier. Not all of these new immigrants appreciated this new land as much as their husbands and fathers. Such is the case with Mrs. Sam Shenas. Asssured she and her husband would return to Greece within a year, she refused to set up housekeeping in the Valley, saying any household purchases would be frivolous. As time went by and the Shenas' enterprises prospered she learned to love the Valley as her home.
Greek immigrants were very loyal to their new country and many served in the armed forces in times of peace and war. They placed high emphasis on assimilation by learning and speaking English and educating their children. A local chapter of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) was formed. Early members included mainly native Greeks who gathered to master the English language and learn how to become exemplary citizens.
Many Greeks were, and still are, devoted to the Greek Orthodox Church although no such church was ever able to successfully establish itself in the Valley. Feeling a desire to become active in their church and with other Greek families, many Greek families began to relocate to areas with larger Greek populations. While many settled in nearby San Diego, currently only a handful remain in the Imperial Valley.