THE HILL

1950 U.S.World Cup Team. Many of whom played for the St. Louis Simpkins Amateur soccer team and were from the Hill

     Italians, mainly from northern Italy and Sicily, immigrated and settled                                                           

in the area known as the "Hill" started in the late 19th century. 

These immigrants were attracted by jobs in nearby plants established

to exploit deposits of clay discovered in the 1830's.

Baseball greats Yogi Berra and

Joe Garagiola grew up on the Hill. 

Their boyhood homes are across

the street from each other

on Elizabeth Avenue. 

Four of the five St. Louisans on the US soccer team that defeated

England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup also came from the Hill.

St. Ambrose Catholic Church has been a vital component of the Hill neighborhood since its dedication in 1926.  Built in the Lombard Romanesque style.  St. Ambrose is said to be

modeled on the historic San Ambrogio Church

in Milan, Italy.  In front of the church is a statue

called simply "The Italian Immigrants". 

 

  The statue memorializes the Italian families

that arrived in St. Louis looking for a better life.  Today, the statue has become a preferred

symbol of the neighborhood, right along with the Hill's famous green, white & red painted

fire hydrants.  We invite you to walk around and enjoy some favorite places like Rigazzi's

& Missouri Baking Company.

Courtesy of Robert Ruggeri

                                         

 

   To many St. Louisans, the Hill is an Italian neighborhood known for its nationally acclaimed restaurants, specialty groceries and bakeries, tiny "shotgun" houses and fire hydrants proudly painted red, white & green, the colors of the Italian flag.

   Yet this image just touches the surface, for this 50 square block area in St. Louis is not merely one of the city's great ethnic neighborhoods, but among its most stable, tightly woven communities.

   Throughout its history, the Hill's staunchly Italian identity has been the glue

that has held this neighborhood together.

   While the Hill retains its historic ethnic character it welcomes newcomers and

visitors as a vital part of its continuity.  As Hill residents know, you don't have

to be Italian to appreciate the enduring community that their parents and grandparents created here.

Copy from "Where We Live: A Guide To St. Louis Communities."

edited by Tim Fox

c 1995 by the Missouri Historical Society Press

 

 

Here is a Copy of a Hill Day Commemorative Issue with

Text & Pictures dating back to 1900

53 YEARS AGO.... WE ARE THE ONLY ONES STILL HERE!

( Look at the bottom left corner of this picture!)

AND YES WE ARE PROUD OF THIS!

 

 

This Copy was provided Courtesy of Charley Vago from Mom's Deli

For Bus Tours of The Hill

Call Joseph DeGregorio

" Guided Tours Of The Hill"

314-602-3359

Joe.d@thehillstl.com

And Tell Him To Bring You To Rigazzi's For the $8.50 Lunch Buffet