Ducktown, Atlantic City

Ducktown is a historically Italian American district of Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States, stretching from Missouri Avenue to Texas Avenue. The Press of Atlantic City called the neighborhood "Atlantic City's Little Italy."^[1]

History

Italian immigrants heavily settled Ducktown in the early 20th century and named it for the duck houses they built along the bayfront, where they raised poultry and waterfowl. As with many American ethnic neighborhoods, after World War II, residents began leaving the neighborhood for automobile suburbs, sending Ducktown into a decline. Pitney Village, a housing project built in the neighborhood, was widely seen as contributing to the decline.^[1]

St. Michael's Catholic Church has been cited as a focal point of the neighborhood before and after the decline. By the 1990s some families, mostly Hispanic and Asian, were returning to the neighborhood, and the Pitney Village housing project was demolished, leading to a renewal of the community.^[1]

Population

Ducktown is home to a large Italian American community, and Italian flags can be seen adorning buildings. Italian Mafia boss Nicodemo Scarfo, aka "Little Nicky", once called Ducktown his home, and his mother lived there for many years.^[2]

Attractions

The district is home to a number of Atlantic City attractions including:

Entertainment venues

• Boardwalk Hall on Mississippi Avenue and the Boardwalk
• Dante Hall Theater of the Arts on Mississippi Avenue

Hotel

• Trump Plaza, one of the city's 11 casinos, is located in Ducktown on Mississippi Avenue.

Churches

• St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church on Mississippi Avenue

Food

• The White House Sub Shop on Arctic Avenue - Known for the A-list celebrities who often frequent this establishment, the White House was opened by Anthony Basile, along with Alfred "Fritz" Sacco, in 1946 when Basile came back from the army while serving in the Philippines. It has been family owned and operated for over 60 years.
• Angelo's Fairmount Tavern on Fairmount Avenue - Family owned and operated since 1935, the restaurant is known for its Italian cuisine as well as steaks and seafood.
• Angeloni's II on Arctic and Georgia Avenues - Family owned and operated since 1981, the restaurant is known for its Italiane cuisine and expansive wine list.
• Dock's Oyster House on Atlantic Avenue - Atlantic City's oldest restaurant (circa 1897), it features a pianist on many nights.
• The Ducktown Tavern on Georgia Avenue - A newly renovated bar and restaurant.
• Russo's Liquor Store - Located on the corner of Florida and Pacific Avenues, has been there since 1973 and is the original Ducktown liquor store.

Italian bakeries

Ducktown has long been the home of several bakeries; there are two still in operation:

• Formica Brothers Bakery and Café - Established in 1919 by Francesco Formica, Formica Brothers Bakery moved to its current location in 1928. Frank D. Formica, third generation owner/operator recently transformed the retail bakery shop located at 2310 Arctic Avenue into a state of the art Cafe (open daily 7am - 7pm, Wi-Fi enabled) serving Seattle's Best coffee. The bakery produces over 30,000 loaves of bread a day for over 300 corporate accounts, including local casinos and restaurants. Product offerings: Italian sub loaves, Artisan Breads, Cannolis, Cookies, Biscotti, Tomato Pie.
• A. Rando Bakery - Opened in 1909, this bakery focuses almost exclusively on producing subs, dinner rolls, and table bread for area stores and restaurants.

Transportation

• The Atlantic City Rail Terminal is located one block from Ducktown at Arkansas and Fairmount Avenues. It is the southern terminus of New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City Line to Philadelphia.
• The Atlantic City Bus Terminal is located four blocks from Ducktown at Michigan and Atlantic Avenues. It provides scheduled service by both Greyhound Lines and New Jersey Transit.
• The Atlantic City Jitney Association provides minibus service between Ducktown and other Atlantic City neighborhoods.

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} Peele, Thomas (1998-12-22). "DUCKTOWN / 'We're Coming All The Way Back, Baby!'". The Press of Atlantic City: pp. C1. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_text_direct-0=0EAEAE451E32B68D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10. 
2. ^ Anastasia, George. "'Nicky Jr.': Where Does the Boss' Son Fit In?" Philadelphia Inquirer. March 10, 1991.

External links

• City of Atlantic City - Ducktown

Coordinates: 39°21′29″N 74°26′26″W / 39.3581°N 74.4406°W / 39.3581; -74.4406