Cent'Anni Arthur Avenue

Cent’Anni Arthur Avenue is a decade-by-decade chronicle of Belmont’s Little Italy—from the post-Civil War years that shaped its borders to the challenges of social distancing. Through historical photographs, merchant family stories, and neighborhood landmarks like Fordham University, the Bronx Zoo, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, the book traces how Italian immigrants, multi-generational businesses, and a tight-knit community transformed a Bronx enclave into one of America’s most enduring Italian neighborhoods.

The book blends institutional history with personal memory—capturing the rise of iconic shops, the impact of wars and economic upheavals, cultural milestones from Dion and the Belmonts to Hollywood films, and the quiet resilience that kept Arthur Avenue thriving. It is both a detailed historical record and a heartfelt tribute to the people and places that define the neighborhood. 

Note: This is a compressed digital edition optimized for easy downloading. The original print version featured higher-resolution images.