In the late 1800’s, people began to come to America from Europe for a better way of life and economic opportunity. The “Hill” was then composed of Irish, Swedes, Germans, and Slovenians. The Croatians settled in an area across the Kaw River known then as the “Patch”, as it was a slightly blighted area, but within walking distance of the packing houses where they worked. That area is now known as the West Bottoms. The great flood of 1903 washed out the whole area and everyone moved across the river to the hill that was covered with wild strawberries, hence, Strawberry Hill was started.

Prior to their move from the “Patch”, the Croatians had started a plan for a church of their own. The Irish had St. Mary’s, which is now closed, the Germans built St. Anthony’s, and the Slovenians had built Holy Family Church The Croatians wanted a church of their own, so they built beautiful St. John The Baptist Church, which is still standing and holding services for approximately 600 people, as well as a school with approximately 120 students from pre-school to 8th grade. It also has its own bowling alley. They host the St. Johns Festival every year in August. All in all, the European people all played a huge part in the history of Strawberry Hill. With their perseverance, and hard work, they created a wonderful little cultural and ethnic corner of the world they fondly call “The Hill”.

Strawberry Hill is one of the oldest and best known neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas. The city is symbolized in the Hills ethnicity, diversity, and overall architecture. It is the original Kansas City, Kansas, and still remains an integral part of the city.

Single family dwellings are now abundant throughout Strawberry Hill. It wasn’t that way a few years ago. During the war years, 1940-45, a lot of the homes were made into apartments, to help with the war effort. It took 50 years to reverse that trend.

Strawberry Hill is full of “working mans” small homes, as well as many grand homes, and they all have their own history. In the late 1800’s, The Hill started with homes like the Mathias Splitlog home, the now Strawberry Hill Museum and others, and is now making new history with the new homes that are being built here now.

In the recent past, the Hill has enjoyed the 6 New Town Homes, built by Community Housing of Wyandotte County,(CHWC) and the wonderful lofts in Old City Hall, built by City Visions. These 42 lofts are now fully rented. In the past year, the Hill has become home to two more homes being constructed on Orville, between 6th and 7th by CHWC. Built in Victorian cottage style of the homes in the neighborhood, they fit right in, and look wonderful. Studio 804, and students from Kansas University are aspiring to build a home on Riverview with a whole new look in architecture, hoping to bring in more interest in construction in that area. All in all, a total of 12 new homes and 44 new lofts have been added to the community, making it a desirable place to call home. The vacant lots are fewer and fewer.

This last year, in September, Strawberry Hill was the host to a Street Fair, the brain child of the Business Association of Strawberry Hill. There were around 2000 people in attendance. It is to be an annual event. The Strawberry Hill Neighborhood Association was a proud sponsor of the fair, and hopes it will be even bigger and better this year. It will be held July 28, from 10 am to 11 pm at 6th and Splitlog.The street will be closed off for the day. Local food, music, booths, and fun will be on the agenda. Everyone is invited to participate.

The main thoroughfare in Strawberry Hill, 5th Street, is undergoing changes. It is the exit from I-70, and has a lot of through traffic. Traffic calming devices have been installed, and will be done permanently, along with a complete revitalization of the street, to help with the heavy traffic, and make it more neighborhood friendly for the community. Long needed, it now is becoming a reality. It will also help with the parking problem along the street.

New lamp post lights are on the agenda for 6th Street soon. They will be replacing the modern, cobra necked posts that are there now. The new lamp posts are reminiscent of the 1930’s, and should add a lot of charm to the street. They are in the planning stage, and should take place sometime this summer or fall. They were started, but the engineers had to stop because some of their specs were off, but as soon as that is ironed out, they will be placing them along 6th Street. The lights have already been placed around the park at St. Johns and Holy Family parks, and look wonderful. A step back into time!

The old Mathias Splitlog home on Orchard is being restored to Historical Society specs by Ed and Sandy Rust. This old home has a lot of history, and needed to be saved. It is in dire shape now, but hopefully will be a “place to see” in the near future on Strawberry Hill.

The many new businesses on the Hill are a wonderful addition to its community. Jones’s Barbeque, Hangers on the Hill, Amy Renee’s Bakery and Deli, Felitza’s Restaurant, Breits Stein and Deli, and now the new Strawberry Hill Laundromat have made the main streets have a whole new look.With awning, flowers, etc., it is becoming a charming neighborhood. Two more of the buildings on 6th have been redone, and look wonderful. One of them has been rebuilt with two lofts above the business that are beautiful, and by utilizing that space, brought more people into the community. As an aging neighborhood, this year has brought new, young blood into the community, which is needed for any neighborhood to grow.

All in all, Strawberry Hill is alive and growing. As the heart of the city, it is beginning to take on the look of old, with business, housing, and home owners. Children are back into the equation, which was missing for many years.

The church bells still toll and play music on Sunday, the houses are still the style of old, and the Hill has not lost its ambiance. Strawberry Hill is surviving the times, and beginning a new episode in its history. It is ever changing, but never changing. I guess that is why it is so interesting.

And there are more changes on the horizon. All for the better. The old saying “Build it and they will come” is certainly true on Strawberry Hill. No matter how many new homes are built, or new business that come,or new people living on the Hill, there will always be a piece of the old Strawberry Hill , as long as there are memories.