Anthony Petropulos


Anthony Petropulos in police uniform, Lewiston, ca. 1943

Anthony Petropulos in police uniform, Lewiston, ca. 1943
Item 102744   info
Maine Historical Society

Anthony Petropulos (1883-1972) left his home in Potamia, Greece at the age of 14, and initially immigrated to Massachusetts by way of Canada. He studied at American International College and worked in various factories, including as a foreman for General Electric in Massachusetts, before he moved to Lewiston.

Petropulos worked at a shoe factory in Auburn prior to being appointed to the Lewiston Police force from 1918 to 1945. He continued his civic involvement after he retired, serving as an Alderman, on the Lewiston City Council, and the Lewiston Republican City Committee.

Portrait of Anthony Petropulos in policeman's uniform, Lewiston, 1940

Portrait of Anthony Petropulos in policeman's uniform, Lewiston, 1940
Item 102755   info
Maine Historical Society

Petropulos became a U.S. citizen in 1906, but waited until 1946 to legally change his first name from "Adon" to Anthony. The Lewiston Evening Journal reported in 1943 that Petropulos, "… so well typifies the American spirit, so fully demonstrates how the man or woman, born on another shore, born to speak another language, born to customs greatly at variance with ours can come here and thoroughly absorb our ways and our spirit.”

Stories of Petropulos's patriotism abound. During World War II, Anthony's son asked what would happen if Greece entered the war, to which he replied, “You and I are Americans, son, and we’ll fight for the stars and stripes against Greece or any other country!”

Anthony Petropulos' policeman's coat, Lewiston, ca. 1935

Anthony Petropulos' policeman's coat, Lewiston, ca. 1935
Item 102753   info
Maine Historical Society

Anthony Petropulos served as a Lewiston Policeman from 1918-1945, and was a culture broker between Anglos and Greeks.

Petropulos was the first Greek member of the Lewiston Police force, and spoke fluent Greek and English. As a policeman, he acted as a court interpreter in Lewiston and other cities in Maine and, according to a 1922 article in the Lewiston Sun Journal, "was instrumental in bringing about a feeling of cordiality and understanding between his people and Bates College."

Anthony Petropulos' policeman's whistle, Lewiston, ca. 1935

Anthony Petropulos' policeman's whistle, Lewiston, ca. 1935
Item 102756   info
Maine Historical Society

Anthony Petropulos policeman's whistle, an "Acme Thunderer", was constructed to fit over a finger, like a ring.

Anthony Petropulos' police badge, Lewiston, ca. 1935

Anthony Petropulos' police badge, Lewiston, ca. 1935
Item 102747   info
Maine Historical Society

Anthony Petropulos continued his civic involvement after he retired, serving as an Alderman, on the Lewiston City Council, and the Lewiston Republican City Committee.

John Petropulos' certificate of birth and baptism, Lewiston, 1930

John Petropulos' certificate of birth and baptism, Lewiston, 1930
Item 102742   info
Maine Historical Society

Anthony Petropulos married another Greek immigrant, Anastasia Kargas, in 1922 and they raised two children. They were active members of the Greek community in Lewiston, especially in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Written in Greek and English, this baptism record for Anthony and Anastasia's son, John, was recorded in 1930.

Anthony Petropulos' Order of AHEPA membership card, Lewiston, 1964

Anthony Petropulos' Order of AHEPA membership card, Lewiston, 1964
Item 102743   info
Maine Historical Society

Anthony Petropulos was a member of social and fraternal organizations, and was particularly active in those concentrating on Greek culture.

Anthony Petropulos' AHEPA hat, Lewiston, ca. 1960

Anthony Petropulos' AHEPA hat, Lewiston, ca. 1960
Item 102751   info
Maine Historical Society

Petropulos served as the manager, treasurer, and organizer of the American Hellenic Club of Lewiston—a quasi-social group of 12 friends that invested in real estate—and was a member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).

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