Ironbound Ties to Portugal

Entering the Ironbound section of Newark is like being instantaneously transported to Portugal. The Portuguese community in Newark dominates a neighborhood called the Ironbound, which got its name because it is enclosed by railroad tracks and major highways.

Every sense is bombarded with a vibrant foreignness. The streets are bustling with people, many of whom speak Portuguese. The shop windows display, with pride, the Portuguese national colors. Social clubs, each connected to a different region in Portugal, provide a clearinghouse for information from the old neighborhood and a place for social interaction. And, some of the children attend Portuguese school after public school to learn the language and culture.

Aired Thursday, September 19, 2002.