The unique neighborhood known as “The Hill” is a fifty-two square block section in the south side of the City of St. Louis. The Hill’s boundaries are Manchester on the north, Kingshighway on the east, Southwest/Columbia on the south and Hampton on the west. The neighborhood lies an eighth of a mile from the highest point in the city (the former state hospital) thus earning its designation.
When the first English and German immigrants arrived prior to the American Civil War, the area was a remote five miles from the Mississippi River. The Italian immigrants first arrived in the 1880s intending to work in the clay mines. The Hill and surrounding area held a vast deposit of high-quality clay that was ideal for brick used in industrial coal powered plants. The mines also yielded clay used for brick houses and businesses. By 1910, six foundries were fully operational in the area.
When demand for labor increased, Italians responded by sending for sons, brothers, cousins and village mates. As the community grew, so did the need for services such as grocers, bakers, barbers, merchants and construction workers. Taverns dotted most corners of The Hill. Pre-TV and radio, the tavern was the place to exchange news, to network and to relax. The Hill became its own self-contained neighbor with most residents leaving the area on rare occasions because everything they needed was just a short walk away.
In 1903, Saint Ambrose opened as a mission church. By 1907, the church became its own parish, led by Father Lucian Carotti. It was a wooden structure that unfortunately burned down in 1921. However, due to Carotti’s leadership and the community of the faithful, the current Saint Ambrose Church was dedicated in 1926. Church members pledged $1 a month for five years. Upon completing their donation, they received a certificate of gratitude. The church was literally built by its members. In 1972, sculptor Rudolph Torrini commissioned the immigrant statue standing outside of the church. It’s a testimony to the determination and hope the immigrants possessed.
By the 1920s, The Hill was firmly established as the Italian American community. Like many areas in the United States, prohibition created opportunities for an illegal alcohol market. In general, The Hill rebuffed organized crime and attempted to introduce other illegal items. Families lived and thrived in the neighborhood, and they wanted the protection of a stable community. Though they were not completely immune as some businesses and families had stills in their basements.
The community experienced the Great Depression just as the rest of the country. Due to their relatively recent arrival from impoverished Italy, residents were already in the habit of planting backyard vegetable gardens, living frugally and taking care of neighbors and extended family who had less.
Beginning in the 1920s, children completed eight years of grade school. They had free time in the afternoons to play ball or tag in the open fields and on the streets. “Uncle” Joe Causino, a YMCA staff member, organized the boys into clubs, complete with membership, dues, clubhouses and sponsored uniforms. The club’s names included The Fawns, The Stags, The Royal Falcons, The Nightingales, The Wildcats and The Ravens. They played intramural baseball, soccer, basketball and even ping pong.
Baseball great, Yogi Berra was a Stag and as was his best friend, St. Louis Cardinals catcher, Joe Garagiola. Four of the five St. Louisans on the 1950 American World Cup Soccer team were also club members. The Americans earned a lasting reputation as the rag-tag team who defeated Cup favorite England in a 1-0 upset. The clubs created a network of lifelong bonds that helped bond the community together.
The same young boys who played valiantly on the sports field grew into young men fighting valiantly on a WWII battlefield. The Hill community grew nervous because Italy was the enemy, and they wanted to be sure they were seen as loyal Italian Americans. More than 1,020 men from The Hill served in the war and 23 men did not return. Their names are on a bronze plaque in the back of Saint Ambrose Church and on a column in Piazza Imo.
The Hill continued to thrive for the next 25 years. Manufacturing companies such as Magic Chef, Marlo Coil and Style Craft employed hundreds and at one time, three furniture stores thrived in the neighborhood. With the GI Bill, young veterans married, built homes or earned professional degrees and raised families. The current Saint Ambrose School opened in 1941 and continues to grow today.
By the mid-1970s, a few factors threatened The Hill’s stability. The post WWII babies had grown up and were ready to start their own families but there were no homes available. Their parents and even grandparents were still alive and many of the homes in the neighborhood were in need of repair. Like many major cities at the time, families were fleeing city centers in favor of the suburbs.
Adding to the problem, in 1971 the USDOT started construction on a section of Highway 44 that cut through a third of The Hill. 109 homes were torn down to make room for the highway which was a blow and a blessing to the neighborhood. Under the leadership of Father Salvatore Polizzi, residents raised $50,000 to build a car bridge on Edwards Street crossing over the highway to make it easier for residents to get across the highway. The Hill learned the value of collective action in the face of threats to the neighborhood and The Hill 2000 Neighborhood Association was born as a result.
The community values tradition and hosts annual events that draws attendees from the neighborhood and across St. Louis. Events include the Easter Egg Hunt, Wine Walk, July 4th Fireworks, Soapbox Derby, The Hill House Tour, Giro della Montagna, Italian Heritage Parade & Festa and many more! One of the newest attractions is Piazza Imo celebrating the area’s rich Italian American history. With numerous restaurants, grocers, bakeries and other businesses in the neighborhood, The Hill is a vibrant part of St. Louis history and continues many Italian traditions brought over by their immigrant relatives.
The Hill survived the 2008 market crash, mostly because its housing market was stable. Many homes have been handed down through generations and are paid for. From 2015 to present day, The Hill is experiencing exciting change. A new development from McBride Homes, La Collina, a 65+ home and townhome development was recently completed. Moda, a 225 luxury apartment complex from Draper & Kramer, along with a new park was built at the corner of Daggett Ave and Boardman Ave. While change can be positive, long-time residents hope that newcomers appreciate the effort required to preserve the unique qualities that make The Hill so special to them.
To learn more about The Hill or to get involved, visit hillstl.org
Stop by The Hill Neighborhood Center at 1935 Marconi Ave. The center is open from 10 am to 3 pm Thursday to Saturday. Have questions? Email info@hill2000stl.org