Tag: Italian
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When, why, and how Sicilians turned New Orleans into their Little Palermo
New Orleans wouldn’t be New Orleans without influences from a variety of ethnic groups over the centuries: the French, the Spanish, Africans, and American Indians often get the lion’s share of the credit. In a recent post, we even wrote about how important Irish immigrants and their descendents have been in shaping the Crescent City. …
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The Extraordinary History of New Orleans’ Mafia, Part 2
When we left off in Part 1, tensions were rising between two factions of the Italian mob in New Orleans. Police chief David Hennessy was making progress in mediating peace between the sides, but ultimately fell short when, in 1890, he was shot dead. Non-Italians in the Crescent City were furious. Two hundred and fifty…
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The Extraordinary History of New Orleans’ Mafia, Part 1
Speakeasies are all the rage these days. New Orleans has one downtown, below the Orpheum Theater, called “Double Dealer.” It’s a throwback to the 1920s, when shady characters with memorable nicknames (think national figures such as “Scarface,” “Lucky Lucciano,” and “Ice Pick Willie”) illegally provided Prohibition-weary New Orleanians with the booze they so badly wanted.…
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Piazza d’Italia: A Hidden New Orleans Landmark
As summer approaches, maybe you’re daydreaming about the Italian vacation you’ve always wanted: the vibrant culture, the people, and the charming piazzas to sit in as you eat your Italian food and sip on your Italian wine. But guess what? If it’s an Italian piazza you’re after, there’s no need to fly across an ocean.…
