Independence, "Little Italy" of Louisiana was created as a result of the New Orleans to Jackson route of the Great Northern Railroad in the 1880's. Sicilian Italian families searching for a place to settle in the 1880's were attracted by the thriving strawberry industry of the area.

Independence slowly became a predominately Sicilian Italian Community. It is more diverse culturally today but is still characterized by its excellent Sicilian Italian Cuisine and its hard working and friendly people.

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Source: http://www.indysicilianfest.com