The Hill Visitor’s Guide 026

28 2026 | St. Louis Hills Community Directory 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. 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. 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. 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.The clubs created a network of lifelong bonds that helped bond the community together. Brick factories along the River Des Peres. Corpus Christi Parade. continued on page 30