How well do you know Little Italy in the Bronx in the 50s?

LITTLE ITALY IN THE BRONX (1950s) - MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST

100 QUESTIONS

1. In the 1950s, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in the Bronx had approximately how many Italian parishioners?

A) 10,000

B) 20,000

C) 40,000

D) 60,000

2. When was the upper church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel built?

A) 1906

B) 1907

C) 1917

D) 1927

3. Who was known as "Johnny the Pie Man" at Half-Moon Pizzeria in the 1950s?

A) Johnny Migliucci

B) Johnny Artuso

C) Johnny Addeo

D) Johnny's identity is not specified in historical records

4. How much did a slice of pizza cost at Half-Moon Pizzeria in the 1950s?

A) 5 cents

B) 10 cents

C) 15 cents

D) 25 cents

5. In what year was Artuso's Pastry Shop founded?

A) 1936

B) 1946

C) 1956

D) 1966

6. Before purchasing his own pastry shop, what was Vincent Artuso's job at Spagnuolo's Pastry Shop?

A) Baker

B) Cashier

C) Dishwasher

D) Manager

7. What significant event in Vincent Artuso's life occurred before he purchased his pastry shop?

A) He won the lottery

B) He returned from World War II

C) He graduated from culinary school

D) He immigrated from Sicily

8. When did the Addeo family first open their bakery in East Harlem?

A) Early 1920s

B) Late 1920s

C) Early 1930s

D) Late 1930s

9. Where did the Addeo Bakery eventually settle in the Bronx?

A) Corner of Hughes Avenue and 186th Street

B) Corner of Arthur Avenue and 187th Street

C) Corner of Belmont Avenue and 188th Street

D) Corner of Fordham Road and Grand Concourse

10. What is one of the famous bread products made by Addeo Bakery?

A) Siro Campagna loaf

B) Bronx Sourdough

C) Italian Rye

D) Belmont Baguette

11. In what year did the Arthur Avenue Retail Market open?

A) 1930

B) 1935

C) 1940

D) 1945

12. Who opened the Arthur Avenue Retail Market?

A) Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia

B) Mayor William O'Dwyer

C) Governor Thomas Dewey

D) President Harry Truman

13. How many stalls did the Arthur Avenue Retail Market have when it first opened?

A) 57

B) 87

C) 117

D) 147

14. What was the original purpose of opening the Arthur Avenue Retail Market?

A) To create jobs during the Depression

B) To get pushcarts off city streets

C) To promote Italian-American businesses

D) To compete with Manhattan's markets

15. In what year was Ann & Tony's Restaurant founded?

A) 1917

B) 1927

C) 1937

D) 1947

16. What special event does Ann & Tony's Restaurant host that celebrates Arthur Avenue in the 1950s and 60s?

A) Pasta Festival

B) Italian Heritage Day

C) Oldies Night

D) Bronx Reunion

17. Who founded Ann & Tony's Restaurant?

A) Ann and Tony Napolitano

B) Eugenio Napolitano

C) Ann and Tony Migliucci

D) Eugenio Migliucci

18. How many generations of the same family has Ann & Tony's Restaurant been passed through?

A) Three

B) Four

C) Five

D) Six

19. In what year did Mario's Restaurant first open?

A) 1909

B) 1919

C) 1929

D) 1939

20. How did Mario's Restaurant start before becoming a full-service restaurant?

A) As a grocery store

B) As a pizza window shop

C) As a bread bakery

D) As a wine cellar

21. When did Mario's Restaurant expand into a full-service restaurant?

A) 1920s

B) 1930s

C) 1940s

D) 1950s

22. What Italian dish was commonly found on menus of every Italian restaurant in New York in the 1950s but later disappeared?

A) Spiedini

B) Osso Buco

C) Saltimbocca

D) Timpano

23. What traditional event is associated with the Feast of St. Anthony in the Bronx's Little Italy?

A) Dancing of the Giglio

B) Procession of the Saints

C) Blessing of the Animals

D) Tarantella Competition

24. What activities were typically included in the Feast of St. Anthony celebrations in the 1950s?

A) Rides, games, and Italian food

B) Opera performances and wine tastings

C) Soccer tournaments and pasta contests

D) Religious debates and political rallies

25. Which Catholic school served the Little Italy area of the Bronx in the 1950s?

A) St. Simon Stock

B) St. Patrick's

C) St. Joseph's

D) St. Anthony's

26. Which of these was a distinctive feature of Half-Moon Pizzeria in the 1950s?

A) A red-and-white striped awning

B) A silver dome on the sidewalk

C) A neon pizza sign

D) A rooftop dining area

27. During which nights did "Johnny the Pie Man" typically make pizzas at Half-Moon Pizzeria in the 1950s?

A) Monday, Wednesday, Friday

B) Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

C) Friday, Saturday, Monday

D) Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

28. Approximately when did Half-Moon Pizzeria close?

A) Late 1960s

B) Late 1970s or early 1980s

C) Mid-1980s

D) Early 1990s

29. What is the current name of the establishment that replaced Half-Moon Pizzeria?

A) Silver Moon Pizzeria

B) Full Moon Pizzeria

C) New Moon Pizzeria

D) Blue Moon Pizzeria

30. What was the address of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in the 1950s?

A) 627 E. 186th Street

B) 627 E. 187th Street

C) 627 E. 188th Street

D) 627 E. 189th Street

31. What architectural style is Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church built in?

A) Gothic Revival

B) Romanesque Revival

C) Baroque

D) Neoclassical

32. Where was the first Mass celebrated by Father Joseph Caffuzzi for the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish?

A) In a basement church

B) In a storefront at 659 E. 187th St.

C) In a parishioner's home

D) In a temporary wooden structure

33. What year was the basement church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel built?

A) 1900

B) 1906

C) 1907

D) 1910

34. Which of these priests served at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in the 1950s-1960s?

A) Fr. Esposito

B) Fr. McHugh

C) Fr. Woods

D) All of the above

35. What popular pastry item was Artuso's known for in the 1950s?

A) Cannoli

B) Sfogliatelle

C) Tiramisu

D) Zeppole

36. What happened to Vincent Artuso before he purchased his pastry shop in 1946?

A) He apprenticed in Italy

B) He served in World War II

C) He worked in his father's bakery

D) He won a baking competition

37. What other popular cake was Artuso's known for according to research?

A) Guava cake

B) Tres leches cake

C) Both A and B

D) Neither A nor B

38. What is the address of Addeo Bakery in the Bronx?

A) 2372 Hughes Avenue

B) 2372 Arthur Avenue

C) 2372 Belmont Avenue

D) 2372 Fordham Road

39. What is one of the traditional products made by Addeo Bakery?

A) Pizza Dough

B) Breadsticks

C) Biscuits

D) All of the above

40. Who were the founders of Addeo Bakery?

A) Gennaro & Vincenza Addeo

B) Giuseppe & Maria Addeo

C) Antonio & Rosa Addeo

D) Salvatore & Lucia Addeo

41. How many years of history does Addeo Bakery have according to their website?

A) Over 60 years

B) Over 70 years

C) Over 80 years

D) Over 90 years

42. What was the original purpose of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market when Mayor LaGuardia opened it?

A) To create jobs during the Depression

B) To get pushcarts off city streets

C) To promote Italian-American businesses

D) To centralize food distribution

43. What month and day in 1940 did the Arthur Avenue Retail Market open?

A) January 15

B) June 29

C) October 29

D) December 25

44. What types of vendors could be found in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market in the 1950s?

A) Cannoli stands

B) Pasta shops

C) Cigar rollers

D) All of the above

45. What is Ann & Tony's Restaurant known for celebrating about Arthur Avenue?

A) The architecture

B) The 50s and 60s era

C) The immigrant experience

D) The religious traditions

46. What type of music is featured at Ann & Tony's "Oldies Night" events?

A) Opera

B) Tarantella

C) Rockin' Doo Wop

D) Jazz

47. How many years has Ann & Tony's Restaurant been in the same location?

A) Over 70 years

B) Over 80 years

C) Over 90 years

D) Over 100 years

48. What is the address of Ann & Tony's Restaurant?

A) 2407 Arthur Avenue

B) 2407 Hughes Avenue

C) 2407 Belmont Avenue

D) 2407 Fordham Road

49. In what decade did Mario's Restaurant expand from a pizza window shop to a full-service restaurant?

A) 1920s

B) 1930s

C) 1940s

D) 1950s

50. What type of cuisine does Mario's Restaurant specialize in?

A) Sicilian

B) Neapolitan

C) Roman

D) Tuscan

51. What popular Italian dish was commonly found on menus at restaurants like Mario's in the 1950s but later disappeared?

A) Spiedini

B) Osso Buco

C) Saltimbocca

D) Timpano

52. What family has owned Mario's Restaurant since its founding in 1919?

A) The Artuso family

B) The Addeo family

C) The Migliucci family

D) The Napolitano family

53. What was Mario's Restaurant's original business before expanding?

A) A gelato shop

B) A pizza window shop

C) A coffee bar

D) A wine store

54. What traditional event is associated with the Feast of St. Anthony in the Bronx's Little Italy?

A) Dancing of the Giglio

B) Procession of the Saints

C) Blessing of the Animals

D) Tarantella Competition

55. When was the Feast of St. Anthony traditionally held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church?

A) January

B) June

C) September

D) December

56. What activities were typically included in the Feast of St. Anthony celebrations in the 1950s?

A) Rides, games, and Italian food

B) Opera performances and wine tastings

C) Soccer tournaments and pasta contests

D) Religious debates and political rallies

57. How long has the Feast of St. Anthony been celebrated in connection with Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church?

A) Since the 1900s

B) Since the 1920s

C) Since the 1940s

D) Since the 1960s

58. Which Catholic school served the Little Italy area of the Bronx in the 1950s?

A) St. Simon Stock

B) St. Patrick's

C) St. Joseph's

D) St. Anthony's

59. What was the approximate population of Italians in the Bronx's Little Italy during the 1950s?

A) 10,000

B) 25,000

C) 40,000

D) 75,000

60. Which of these streets forms the heart of Little Italy in the Bronx?

A) 187th Street and Arthur Avenue

B) Fordham Road and Grand Concourse

C) Pelham Parkway and White Plains Road

D) Tremont Avenue and Third Avenue

61. What was a common occupation for Italian immigrants in the Bronx during the early to mid-20th century?

A) Factory workers

B) Construction workers

C) Restaurant owners

D) All of the above

62. What was the price of a loaf of bread at Addeo Bakery in the 1950s?

A) 5 cents

B) 10 cents

C) 15 cents

D) Not specified in historical records

63. What was the ceiling of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church decorated with?

A) Scenes from the Bible

B) Our Lady of Mount Carmel surrounded by angels

C) Italian saints

D) Not specified in historical records

64. What was the relationship between Ann and Tony of Ann & Tony's Restaurant?

A) Husband and wife

B) Brother and sister

C) Father and daughter

D) Not specified in historical records

65. What was the most popular dessert at Artuso's Pastry Shop in the 1950s?

A) Cannoli

B) Sfogliatelle

C) Tiramisu

D) Not specified in historical records

66. What type of bread was Addeo Bakery most famous for in the 1950s?

A) Pane di Casa

B) Siro Campagna loaf

C) Italian baguette

D) Semolina bread

67. What was the original name of the Half-Moon Pizzeria?

A) Luna Pizzeria

B) Belmont Pizza

C) Arthur Avenue Pizza

D) Not specified in historical records

68. What was the typical price of a full pizza at Half-Moon Pizzeria in the 1950s?

A) 75 cents

B) $1.00

C) $1.25

D) Not specified in historical records

69. What type of oven was used to bake bread at Addeo Bakery in the 1950s?

A) Wood-fired brick oven

B) Coal oven

C) Gas oven

D) Not specified in historical records

70. What was the most popular sandwich at the Arthur Avenue Retail Market in the 1950s?

A) Italian combo

B) Meatball

C) Chicken parmesan

D) Not specified in historical records

71. What was the traditional closing time for shops on Arthur Avenue in the 1950s?

A) 5:00 PM

B) 6:00 PM

C) 7:00 PM

D) Not specified in historical records

72. What was the traditional day when most Arthur Avenue businesses were closed in the 1950s?

A) Sunday

B) Monday

C) Wednesday

D) Not specified in historical records

73. What was the typical price of a cannoli at Artuso's Pastry Shop in the 1950s?

A) 10 cents

B) 15 cents

C) 25 cents

D) Not specified in historical records

74. What was the most popular pasta dish at Mario's Restaurant in the 1950s?

A) Spaghetti and meatballs

B) Fettuccine Alfredo

C) Linguine with clam sauce

D) Not specified in historical records

75. What was the typical attire for attending Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in the 1950s?

A) Formal suits and dresses

B) Casual clothing

C) Traditional Italian clothing

D) Not specified in historical records

76. What type of music was typically played at Italian social gatherings in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Opera

B) Traditional folk music

C) American pop music

D) All of the above

77. What traditional Italian game was commonly played by men in social clubs in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Bocce

B) Morra

C) Scopa (card game)

D) All of the above

78. What was a common practice for many Italian families in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Making homemade wine in their basements

B) Growing vegetables in backyard gardens

C) Canning tomatoes for winter use

D) All of the above

79. What type of meat was traditionally used in Sunday gravy (sauce) in Italian households in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Beef only

B) Pork only

C) A combination of meats (beef, pork, sausage)

D) Chicken only

80. What traditional Italian holiday celebration was especially important in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Christmas Eve (La Vigilia)

B) Easter

C) Feast of San Gennaro

D) Both A and B

81. What was a common feature of Italian weddings in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) The "dollar dance"

B) Multi-course meals lasting several hours

C) Giving of confetti (sugar-coated almonds) as favors

D) All of the above

82. What traditional Italian folk dance might be performed at celebrations in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Tarantella

B) Saltarello

C) Pizzica

D) Ballu Tundu

83. What type of coffee was typically served in Italian cafes in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) American drip coffee

B) Espresso

C) Cappuccino

D) Both B and C

84. What was the primary language spoken in many homes in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Standard Italian

B) Regional Italian dialects

C) English only

D) A mix of Italian and English

85. What type of housing was most common in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Single-family homes

B) Apartment buildings

C) Row houses

D) Suburban-style developments

86. Which of these would NOT typically be found in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market in the 1950s?

A) Fresh produce

B) Handmade pasta

C) Electronic appliances

D) Butcher shops

87. What popular Italian street food was commonly sold by vendors in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Pizza

B) Arancini (rice balls)

C) Panini

D) All of the above

88. What was a common tradition for Italian families in the Bronx on Sundays in the 1950s?

A) Attending Mass followed by a large family dinner

B) Shopping at department stores

C) Going to the movies

D) Visiting Manhattan

89. Which of these Italian cheeses would most likely be found in shops in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Parmigiano-Reggiano

B) Pecorino Romano

C) Mozzarella

D) All of the above

90. What was the primary mode of transportation for residents of Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Private automobiles

B) Public transportation (subway and buses)

C) Walking

D) Bicycles

91. What was the relationship between the Fordham University campus and Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) They were adjacent to each other

B) Many Italian students attended Fordham

C) Fordham employed many local Italians

D) There was little connection between them

92. What type of businesses were most common on Arthur Avenue in the 1950s?

A) Food-related businesses (bakeries, restaurants, markets)

B) Clothing stores

C) Hardware stores

D) Furniture stores

93. What role did the Catholic Church play in the Little Italy community of the Bronx in the 1950s?

A) Primarily religious

B) Both religious and social center

C) Mainly educational

D) Minimal importance

94. What was a common after-school activity for children in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Organized sports

B) Working in family businesses

C) Playing in the streets

D) All of the above

95. What traditional Italian dessert would likely be served at Christmas in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Panettone

B) Struffoli

C) Torrone

D) All of the above

96. What was the attitude toward education in Italian families in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Highly valued as a path to success

B) Considered less important than working

C) Important only for boys

D) Varied widely among families

97. What type of entertainment was popular among residents of Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Radio programs

B) Television shows

C) Movies

D) All of the above

98. What traditional Italian Easter food would be found in homes in Little Italy in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Pastiera (wheat pie)

B) Colomba (dove-shaped bread)

C) Easter bread with colored eggs

D) All of the above

99. What was a common practice regarding marriage in Italian families in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) Arranged marriages

B) Marriage primarily within the Italian community

C) Marriage at a young age

D) All of the above

100. What was the significance of Arthur Avenue to the Italian-American community in the Bronx during the 1950s?

A) It was just one of many commercial streets

B) It was the commercial and cultural heart of the community

C) It was mainly important for religious processions

D) It was primarily residential with few businesses

LITTLE ITALY IN THE BRONX (1950s) - MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST

ANSWER KEY

1. C) 40,000

2. C) 1917

3. D) Johnny's identity is not specified in historical records

4. C) 15 cents

5. B) 1946

6. C) Dishwasher

7. B) He returned from World War II

8. A) Early 1920s

9. A) Corner of Hughes Avenue and 186th Street

10. A) Siro Campagna loaf

11. C) 1940

12. A) Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia

13. C) 117

14. B) To get pushcarts off city streets

15. B) 1927

16. C) Oldies Night

17. B) Eugenio Napolitano

18. C) Five

19. B) 1919

20. B) As a pizza window shop

21. B) 1930s

22. A) Spiedini

23. A) Dancing of the Giglio

24. A) Rides, games, and Italian food

25. A) St. Simon Stock

26. B) A silver dome on the sidewalk

27. C) Friday, Saturday, Monday

28. B) Late 1970s or early 1980s

29. D) Not specified in historical records

30. B) 627 E. 187th Street

31. B) Romanesque Revival

32. B) In a storefront at 659 E. 187th St.

33. C) 1907

34. D) All of the above

35. A) Cannoli

36. B) He served in World War II

37. C) Both A and B

38. A) 2372 Hughes Avenue

39. D) All of the above

40. A) Gennaro & Vincenza Addeo

41. C) Over 80 years

42. B) To get pushcarts off city streets

43. C) October 29

44. D) All of the above

45. B) The 50s and 60s era

46. C) Rockin' Doo Wop

47. C) Over 90 years

48. A) 2407 Arthur Avenue

49. B) 1930s

50. B) Neapolitan

51. A) Spiedini

52. C) The Migliucci family

53. B) A pizza window shop

54. A) Dancing of the Giglio

55. B) June

56. A) Rides, games, and Italian food

57. A) Since the 1900s

58. A) St. Simon Stock

59. C) 40,000

60. A) 187th Street and Arthur Avenue

61. D) All of the above

62. D) Not specified in historical records

63. D) Not specified in historical records

64. D) Not specified in historical records

65. A) Cannoli

66. B) Siro Campagna loaf

67. D) Not specified in historical records

68. D) Not specified in historical records

69. A) Wood-fired brick oven

70. D) Not specified in historical records

71. D) Not specified in historical records

72. A) Sunday

73. D) Not specified in historical records

74. D) Not specified in historical records

75. A) Formal suits and dresses

76. D) All of the above

77. D) All of the above

78. D) All of the above

79. C) A combination of meats (beef, pork, sausage)

80. D) Both A and B

81. D) All of the above

82. A) Tarantella

83. D) Both B and C

84. D) A mix of Italian and English

85. B) Apartment buildings

86. C) Electronic appliances

87. D) All of the above

88. A) Attending Mass followed by a large family dinner

89. D) All of the above

90. B) Public transportation (subway and buses)

91. A) They were adjacent to each other

92. A) Food-related businesses (bakeries, restaurants, markets)

93. B) Both religious and social center

94. D) All of the above

95. D) All of the above

96. A) Highly valued as a path to success

97. D) All of the above

98. D) All of the above

99. B) Marriage primarily within the Italian community

100. B) It was the commercial and cultural heart of the community