1919 is officially designated as the year of the founding of our community; however, a look through various sources indicates that Greeks immigrated to New Haven as early as 1895, during the period of the greatest exodus to the United States. The immigrants from Greece, an impoverished country devoid of opportunity or industry, were inspired by the hope of a better life in America or by the desire to "make their fortune and return home." Many who immigrated from Turkey did so to avoid being drafted into the Turkish army. Mr. Christos Koutsoheris, who arrived in 1895, was probably the first to settle in New Haven.