Established initially as Alta Villa by the five original Italian immigrant families who settled there in 1915,[2][3] Little Italy is an unincorporated community in Pulaski and Perry counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas.

Priests traveling by way of locomotive from Little Rock initially celebrated Mass for local devotees at a schoolhouse in the nearby community of Ledwidge.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church was officially established in Little Italy in 1922 once a building more suitable for worship and consecration was erected.

[5][6] Also central to Little Italy's identity is its history in the winemaking industry as well as its renowned status as a safe haven for the purchase and consumption of unadulterated alcoholic beverages during Prohibition.

[13][14][15] Since 1927, Little Italy's residents host an annual Italian festival[16] highlighted by a spaghetti and sausage dinner featuring original, intergenerational recipes.