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In the United States, if you're Italian American, you're most likely living in the Northeast, the industrial Midwest, California, or the New Orleans area. My dad's parents were immigrants, and they settled in the Mississippi Delta, along with many other Italian families. Almost all of them were from Ancona province along the Adriatic Sea northeast of Rome. Many of their descendants living today in the Mississippi/Arkansas Delta are wealthy farmers (soybeans, rice, cotton, and corn). I'd like to hear from those of you who are of Italian ancestry and live in a community outside the "typical" Italian-American areas. God bless.
Apparently, West Virginia has some Italians. I saw an episode of Andrew Zimmern, and there seems to be a tradition of spaghetti and meatballs brought over by italians immigrants looking for work in the mines.
Apparently, West Virginia has some Italians. I saw an episode of Andrew Zimmern, and there seems to be a tradition of spaghetti and meatballs brought over by italians immigrants looking for work in the mines.
Yes, Clarksburg WV has an annual Italian festival, you can check out their website.
Country recording artist, Kathy Mattea is from outside of Charleston, WV, and of Italian Catholic heritage.
In the Hollywood movie "Matewan" about the striking coal miners a century ago, they show coal mining families in southern WV speaking Italian.
I believe that parts of Seattle and Portland OR have decent concentrations of Italians. I've heard that College Station and that area of TX has some. Tampa FL may have a long time community too.
Also, while I knew about Italians in the Gulf region of Mississippi, I never heard of Italians in the Delta and my father is from there. What towns did they live in? I'm thinking maybe near Memphis or perhaps around Belzoni.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 03-24-2012 at 11:48 AM..
Any MINING area. There is a HUGE Italian population in northern Minnesota - the Iron Range. Italian miners were also in northen Wisconsin and in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, but I know less about those areas.
The coal mines of south central Iowa also drew Italian immigrants in the early 20th c.
I've also heard that the copper mines of Butte Montana were a destination for Italian immigrants.
It always bugs me when people say that you can't find good Italian food outside of urban areas. Come to Hibbing or Chisholm or Virginia, Minnesota for REAL Italian food!
Valentinis Supper Club in Chisholm is the old classic
Choppy's Pizza in Chisholm
Sunrise Bakery in Hibbing (coolest place to watch the old folks eat)
Rocco's Italian Restaurant in Virginia
There's also the Italian Bakery in Virginia, but it has mostly gone to baked goods now, not so much sit-down food.
Have fun!
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