The Hill in St. Louis-The REAL Little Italy

[@durandjohnson1321]

I love that neighborhood peaceful and very well kept!... I would have grown up in East St. Louis, but fortunately my folks migrated to Seattle!

[@organstl]

I'm glad you found the video! Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad it brought some good memories.

[@stephenmartin9393]

Watching your video has taken me back in time over 50 years. As a native of St. Louis I now live in Florida, not far from Orlando. I remember many of these places from days gone by. Most European immigrants from places like Italy, Germany , Ireland and Poland were industrious and proud people, ones that made America strong for multiple generations. Even at the time of the making of your video a tour of the Hill showed clean streets, older but tidy homes, thriving businesses and family oriented people most with long term ties to St. Louis. Great video !

[@organstl]

That's awesome! Thank you so much for the kind words- I'm glad you found this video! It is such a unique and interesting neighborhood. Your comment makes doing these videos so worthwhile.

[@stephenmartin9393]

@@organstl .... My first job out of college was working with several people and we had all graduated from the University of Missouri at St. Louis. These were people who were either the second or third generation of Italian immigrants. This goes back to the 1972 - 1980 era. After I changed jobs I lost track of these people and in 1983 I relocated to Central Florida. I returned to St.Louis in 2018 for my 50th high school reunion

[@organstl]

@@stephenmartin9393 That is cool- thanks for sharing your story. Which high school? Now that's a St. Louis question.

[@stephenmartin9393]

Riverview Gardens High School in north St. Louis, County in 1968

[@jameskarins1717]

​@@stephenmartin9393nice i live in Kissimmee

[@ernestclary6035]

Love the Hill- lived there most of my life.

[@organstl]

It's beautiful- thanks again.

[@ernestclary6035]

@@organstl I shared your video with my brother and daughters they also resided on the hill for many years.

[@organstl]

@@ernestclary6035 Thank you so much- that's awesome! I really appreciate it!

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Be still my heart. Grew up around there and Grandmother that I lived with was born in Italy. Such good people.💕

[@rebeccabaker9178]

Historic and interesting! Thanks!

[@jonblock1871]

Fantastic memories. I was a student at WashU from '78 to '82. We often sent a designated driver at lunch over to Amighetti's to collect sandwiches to eat in the quad.... "hood looks neat as a pin. My favorite celebration restaurant was Giovanni's (when the parents came to town) even over Dominic's and Tony's downtown. And... the Missouri bakery, yum !

[@organstl]

That's awesome! I'm glad you found the video. Thanks for your insights. How could you forget the food? 😂Ha! (I don't think it's possible)

[@debbiel8585]

I used to go to that movie theatre on the hill as a kid. I remember we would have cartoons before the show. And one time I remember them raffling off a bicycle. We grew up on Odell St. Kind of on the edge of the hill.

[@organstl]

That is awesome- thanks so much for your comment- very interesting.

[@AVGianin12345]

Thanks for letting me co host the video Tom Organ.

[@GamersBay]

I love the restaurants on the Hill, amazing food, and such a beautiful place! I'm Italian as well, though I grew up in San Francisco. I love how they've retained our culture and heritage on the Hill. You'd be right there were very mixed feelings about Italians fighting in the wars, the government didnt really trust them, especially not when we were at war with Italy itself. But realistically, the Italian immigrants in America overwhelmingly hated Italy's leaders and any thought of communism; it was the whole reason they came here. My grandfather, who was born in Sicily, proudly fought on behalf of America in WWII.

[@organstl]

Thanks so much for watching and the comment. I really appreciate your insight and personal connection. I'm glad you found it.

[@wayneallen9387]

Great documentary! I never lived on The Hill, but I've been there many times. I had a Great Aunt and Uncle, who lived in the 5100 Block of Daggett, then later moved to the 5500 Block of Elizabeth. I've visited Milos, Amighettis, St Ambrose, Calcaterra's, Rigazzi's, Charlie Gittos, Missouri Bakery, Zia's, Cunetto's and Ruggeri's. I would also add Galamerti's (successor to Cassani's) and Olivas

[@organstl]

That is awesome...Thanks for sharing your story...Thanks so much for watching! Yes, it is a very special place for sure!

[@ramencurry6672]

Just visited the Hill last week for the first time. Didn’t see the fountain but still enjoyed my brief visit

[@encantadalas1063]

Foods looks yummylicious

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

Know it all like the back of my Hand . My Parents lived on Reber Place up until I was born , Moms side were the LaBarbera's , Dad was the Oliver's Parents were Part Owners and founders of Muddy Waters Saloon and Rusty Springs Saloon during the 70's I grew up around the Neighbourhood , Turned the Pac Man Machine numbers over at Carriage Bowl and Galaxia Game at Palace Bowl . You have to get Chocolate Drops from Mo. Bakery and Bread from Marconi's and Vatalli's Bakery , Big ol Sal was a second cousin , no relation to the Bakery , but any Baking left on the Hill is Spot on Old Country Italian . The Hill is a Must Visit for your Tastebuds :) QC

[@organstl]

That's an awesome story- thanks for sharing it and for watching!

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

@@organstl Yep , I worked for Rumbolos , Zia's Conettos , The Hill is great . Thank you for your Video .

[@lindacheragotti7730]

Vitalli's...

[@anaeli268]

Beautiful place

[@carlalaudicinaLFC]

Awesome. Thank you

[@organstl]

Thank you so much for watching- I'm glad you found it. That makes my day.

[@elainedressel13]

The Theater was also the Columbia Racket Ball Club

[@organstl]

That's awesome- thanks so much for the info. I appreciate it.

[@forgottensage-o5o]

cute little video. VERY Missouri looking neighborhood.

[@organstl]

Thanks so much for watching- I really appreciate it. Hope you enjoyed it.

[@jewelsheikh2457]

I’m glad to see that scenario this

[@tammybrown4901]

Hello love your beautiful naborhood always have.

[@organstl]

Thank you so much for your kind words.

[@encantadalas1063]

It's really good to see placesin other side of the world ,It seems I was in there too eoaming around. Watching from Las Vegas Macau.

[@organstl]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.

[@imanutnur7]

I was in the navy with a guy from the hill. His name was Pedrolli I think it was spelled that way.

[@organstl]

Lots of military service from the hill- good to hear this- thanks for your comment.

[@ClayShentrup]

cool video. I drove through Milan on my honeymoon and I have also visited St Louis. I feel like this neighborhood could benefit from having narrow or streets and a lot more trees. Take out a bunch of the parking and put in street dining and planters and stuff. bike lanes. so much potential with those older buildings but it looks so car-centric.

[@organstl]

That's awesome. Thanks for watching- I'm glad you found the video.

[@Fly420]

I sure was disappointed that Amaghetti's was closed. But look how clean everything is! No litter and junk. Much better than mid-70's. Now look back and see where the Antonioni clan congregated. I went to school with Anthony "Tony" Ruggeri, we lost him in 'Nam. Honorable mention to Kutis Funeral home who sponsored many of the soccer players.

[@organstl]

I agree, well kept and beautiful. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and commenting- I really appreciate it. Great to hear your insights from long ago.

[@Lightplate]

What is your favorite race. XOXO love, Janet

[@TheBella1952]

i used to work at Columbia Show many moons ago!

[@organstl]

awesome!!!

[@ernestclary6035]

I remember Joe tapella owned it- not sure of the spelling. I went there often as a kid.

[@San_Simon247]

I used to work at Cunettos

[@organstl]

LOVE Cunettos

[@San_Simon247]

@@organstl first time I had calamari was from there

[@elldre3]

I took a friend there for her birthday when we were seniors at SLU. We stood in the crowded bar area and talked and laughed until our table was ready about a half-hour later. The wait was not a problem, because the atmosphere was low key classy and sedate and the company herself was just as smart and appealing.

[@organstl]

@@elldre3 That's a great story- thank you!

[@jrh1118]

What town was your great grandfather from?

[@organstl]

I'm not sure about that. I've had a hard time finding information about that. My grandfather was born in St. Louis in 1905 but I couldn't find about his dad. From what I understand, it's northern though.

[@doughboy9999]

Gioias deli has some good sandwiches

[@organstl]

You are absolutely 100% right. Thank you for your comment.

[@doughboy9999]

Been there at least once and that time I was working on the hill at mamas on the hill

[@organstl]

They're outstanding also.

[@somerando280]

Vitales has the best lemon ice on earth. Zia's used to have the best raviolis but they changed them and now they suck. Eovaldi's was Oldani's and Rose of the Hill was also Agusti's before it was rose of the hill.

[@organstl]

Thanks for the update, and thanks so much for watching. I really appreciate it, and thanks for sharing your opinions on the food.

[@lindaschoenbein32]

Too bad it’s the most dangerous area in St. Louis 😱

[@Denise-di3jy]

One of the most racist area's in Saint Louis!

[@organstl]

I wouldn't be able to lump people into a category, but I'm sorry that has been your experience- there's no place for it. Thanks for watching even if you didn't enjoy this one.

[@carlalaudicinaLFC]

How? Because they keep it Italian/Sicilian?

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Do you even hear him talk about his very mixed heritage?

[@daver8521]

Give it a rest!

[@michaeljcross87]

@@carlalaudicinaLFC there are no Italians who actually live on The Hill.

[@jlarrywhite8]

Racist