The Hill | |
|---|---|
 “The Italian Immigrants” by Rudolph Torrini | |
 Location (red) of The Hill within St. Louis | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| City | St. Louis |
| Wards | 5 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.97 sq mi (2.5 km2) |
| Population (2020)[1] | |
| • Total | 2,487 |
| • Density | 2,600/sq mi (990/km2) |
| ZIP Code | Part of 63110 |
| Area code | 314 |
| Website | stlouis-mo.gov |
The Hill is a neighborhood within St. Louis, Missouri, located on high ground south of Forest Park. The official boundaries of the area are Manchester Avenue (Route 100) on the north, Columbia and Southwest Avenues on the south, South Kingshighway Boulevard on the east, and Hampton Avenue on the west.
The Hill began with immigrants from Northern Italy, Germany, Ireland, and African-Americans who wanted to live near the railroad which connected the neighborhood to downtown. The vast numbers of Italians migrating to the area resulted in an Italian American majority population during the early part of the 20th century. Historically, it is a predominantly blue collar neighborhood.
Its name is due to its proximity to the highest point of the city, formerly named St. Louis Hill, which is outside the neighborhood's boundaries, a few blocks south, at the intersection of Arsenal Street and Sublette Avenue. The intersection borders Sublette Park, the former site of the Saint Louis Social Evil Hospital built there in 1873, where Josephine Baker was later born. Adjacent to the park is the building of the former St. Louis County Lunatic Asylum built in 1864, now a rehabilitation center.