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Strawberry Hill: Kansas City's Historic Croatian Neighborhood

3/13/2013

220 Comments

 
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The United States is a nation of immigrants, and most larger cities have a handful of traditional ethnic neighborhoods. These neighborhoods were important for immigrants because they were able to maintain their connection with home while starting a new life in a new country. They were able to live among people who shared their language, music, customs, and other traditions. 

The historically Croatian neighborhood of Strawberry Hill is located in Kansas City, KS right across the Kansas River from Kansas City, MO. It was founded in the 1800's, and still preserves a strong Croatian heritage with many second-, third-, and fourth-generation Croatians still living here today. 

Croatian immigrants first settled at the bottom of the hill where you could once find strawberry fields. A 1903 flood forced many of them to move up the hill, which they renamed Strawberry Hill. 

The neighborhood itself is very charming, with brick sidewalks, rows of old houses, and great views over the surrounding areas. 

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The view from Strawberry Hill of downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
The most prominent building in the neighborhood, standing right at the top of the hill, is the red brick St. John's church. And right next door to that is the Strawberry Hill Museum. 

The Strawberry Hill Museum, which exhibits the cultural heritage of the neighborhood's Croatian immigrants and other ethnic groups, occupies the Scroggs House. This house was built in 1887, and is one of Kansas City's finest examples of Queen Anne Style architecture, which was popular in the US between about 1880 and 1910. 

The house was first a private home owned by Margaret Scroggs, who lived there with her husband John until her death in 1915. The house then passed on to Margaret's daughter Emma. After a devastating influenza outbreak ravaged the nation and made many children into orphans, Emma sold the home to the church in 1919 and it became an orphanage. The orphanage, which was run by nuns through the Catholic Charities, housed as many as 70 children at a time and over 3000 children in total over the course of its 69-year operation. During this time, several additions were made to the house to give the orphanage more space. When the orphanage closed in 1988 it was turned into a museum. 
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The Scroggs House - home to the Strawberry Hill Museum
The museum is open on weekends only, and for a $7 entry fee you can get a tour of the home and museum by a knowledgeable guide. 

Family is important to the community and the museum, as evidenced by my guide, Elaine - her father is on the museum's board of directors, and her mother, Marijana, is an artist whose work can be seen in the museum. 

Marijana paints scenes from the neighborhood as she remembers it from her childhood. And, luckily, she has a very good memory! One thing that makes Marijana's art even more important is that a big part of the neighborhood no longer exists - it was demolished in 1957 to make way for the new interstate highway system. You can see the big red face of St. John's church in the center of the painting below. The street running from left to right directly in front of the church is 4th Streeet. Everything depicted in this painting that is downhill from 4th Street was demolished and is no longer there. Today the only thing across the street from St. John's is Interstate 70. 
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Strawberry Hill as it looked before I-70 was built in 1957, as painted by Marijana
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A clipping from the Kansas City Star in 1957, just before they built the interstate If you can't read the text, it says: "For 29 years, Mrs. Helen Stanuga (left) has visited with friends at the gate of her home... With her here is Mrs. Anna Zupanac... Both will have to move by fall."
I'm really glad the interstate highway system exists; it makes long-distance travel in the US a lot easier. But it's sad to think about all the places like this that were lost in its construction. 

Anyway, back to my tour of the Strawberry Hill Museum! The first part of the tour takes you though the original Scroggs House, which is remarkably well preserved. There are several stained glass windows and light fixtures, as well as many beautiful details carved into the woodwork, all of which is original to the house. The few things that are not original, such as the wallpaper, were meticulously restored to be appropriate to the time period. Also, unlike many old homes that are open to visitors, much of the furniture is also original to the house, having belonged to either the Scroggs family or the orphanage. 
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Next we move into the areas added on to the house when it was an orphanage, starting with the gray add-on located to the right side of the main house if you're facing it from the street. On the main floor is a chapel, and on the second floor is a long corridor lined with rooms. The corridor is lined with old family photos donated by neighborhood families. I thought that was a nice way to keep your family heritage alive. And it beats storing your old photos in a box in your closet. 

The rooms along either side of this hallway were once the living quarters of the nuns who operated the orphanage. One room has been restored to look as it did when a nun lived there. 

One other unusual exhibit in this part of the house is the bed that Pope John-Paul II slept in when he flew to the US in the 1980's and 1990's. 
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the chapel
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Old family photos from neighborhood families line the upstairs hallway.
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The nun's living quarters. As Elaine said: "All she's missing is a ruler!"
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Pope John-Paul II's bed
The remaining rooms in the upstairs hallway are all home to exhibits from the various ethnic groups from around the Kansas City area. There are rooms dedicated to immigrants from Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and the Ukraine. Each room has been decorated by its respective local community with folk costumes, handicrafts, musical instruments, and other items representing their culture. 
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the Russian room
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Ukrainian handicrafts
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the Polish room
Being a Croatian neighborhood, of course, the biggest room of the museum is dedicated to Croatia. There are exhibits of handcrafted items, musical instruments, and folk costumes dedicated to Croatian traditions, in addition to photos and other objects that are more specific to the history of the neighborhood. 
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traditional Croatian folk dress
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Memorial to the Strawberry Hill residents who served in World War II
One corner of the Croatian room features panels salvaged from an area church that is now closed - St. Mary's (which can still be seen in its abandoned state a few blocks away). Of note is the white altarpiece, which was made by a man named Anton Horvat. He carved this beautiful work of art out of old orange crates. An impressive transformation! 
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Horvat's altarpiece, which was made from orange crates
There are also a few items from St. John's parish school, including photos and costumes from school plays. If you were Croatian and Catholic this was where you went to school, so just about everyone in the neighborhood attended school here. 

One of the most unusual items in the museum is this large playhouse. This house sat in the classroom of one of the nuns who taught at St. John's. Nuns are renowned for being extremely strict teachers, and this one was no exception. However, if it was your birthday you were allowed to take a couple of friends and go into this playhouse, as kind of a special birthday treat. But only on your birthday! The rest of the year there was no admittance, thank you! 
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The 8th grade graduating class of 1950. In the front row, third person from the right, is Marijana, the artist I mentioned earlier.
They also had an exhibit dedicated to tamburitzas - a traditional type of Croatian stringed instrument. They come in all sizes, from the tiny mandolin-like prim to the very large bas. 

There was also an assortment of tamburitza-making tools, donated to the museum by the local tamburitza maker Nick Rodina. 
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tools used to make tamburitza (don't worry, I didn't touch)
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That's a lot of tamburitzans! The local kids in a 1975 tamburitza band.
And the tamburitza tradition still continues today. Kansas City has more than one tamburitza band which perform around town, including Hrvatski Obicaj from Strawberry Hill and the Sugar Creek Tamburitzans.

I'll leave you with this clip I found of Kansas City's own Sugar Creek Tamburitzans performing at the Sugar Creek Slavic Fest. I didn't know that there was a Slavic Fest in the Kansas City area, but I may have to check it out this summer! Doesn't that music sound like you're walking down some narrow side street in an old Croatian village? 
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Strawberry Hill Museum

Sugar Creek Slavic Fest

And if you're worked up an appetite after your visit to the museum, drive 15 minutes south to Lenexa, KS (their shop used to be in the Hill, but they've recently relocated) to have a taste of some Strawberry Hill Povitica! Povitica is a traditional Croatian rolled bread that is traditionally filled with nuts, but can also be made with a variety of other things including cream cheese, pumpkin, apple cinnamon, and even chocolate. IT IS DELICIOUS. Trust. 
Strawberry Hill Povitica
220 Comments
Joseph Sherrick
3/26/2013 01:13:39 am

My Dad and his two sisters lived in the orphanage, when their Mother died, my Dad was only 9 and his two sisters were even younger. Later they were taken in by their Grandmother & Grandfather and lived with them on Strawberry Hill.

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Alex
3/26/2013 02:39:56 am

It's a beautiful neighborhood! Thanks for the comment.

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Loretta Pursley Goodin
3/29/2013 11:33:08 pm

My grandma whose husband left her to raise 7 children selling Avon. Used to have to send her younger daughters to the orphanage. But it was always temporary.

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Agnes (Chop) Pavicic
3/28/2013 04:48:47 am

What a beautiful walk down memory lane. I was born at 4th and Sandusky 87 years ago, baptized & married at St. John's Church. I have many happy memories of good times enjoyed there and look forward to the upcoming events.

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Alex
3/29/2013 01:49:07 am

It must have been a very nice neighborhood to grow up in!

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Loretta Pursley Goodin
3/29/2013 11:38:13 pm

It was a beautiful walk down memory lane. It was a time when everyone knew all their neighbors. Most people walked to where they were going. We didn't even lock our doors. It was a simple life style I miss living on 6th street and Barnett.

George Waters
11/30/2015 09:13:04 pm

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Marlee Logan
4/13/2017 05:41:18 pm

You were neighbors with my great grandfather, Mathias Stephanz and his parents Mary Swegel and Mathias Stephanz. Roman Chop was their border at one time as well.

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Carol Ann Galvin Higgins
3/29/2013 01:54:20 am

That you for the information It was beautiful to see it all again. My in-laws lived on Strawberry Hill.

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Ed Dolinar-Dallas (Garland) TX
3/29/2013 07:30:04 am

MEMORIES; Brn 1924, Graduated St John's, Wyandotte HS.,WW l l, US Navy Submarine Forces-disch'd '47-- travelled extensively -settled New Orleans-- married Fran in KCMO '55- moved to Dallas same year. have 3 Sons in our 57 yrs. All Healthy. Larry-Mark & Paul. I retired in 2000, Entering my 90th yr in good health, drinking wines for continued sustenance. Have traced family ancestry in Croatia with grt-grt gr-father back to 1816. Mother Helen Ann Juranich and Father George Stephan emmigrated to Strawberry Hill in 1894 and 1904. Married at St John's by Fr Dvavorin Krompatic in 1912 propagated Strawberry Hill with Joseph Michael, Henry George (Mitzi) myself, Josephine Katherine, Rosemarie, and George Steven. Josephine and George still reside in KCK and Rosemarie near Toledo, OH. Our family currently
consists of myself, Jo, Rosemarie, and George. I have been bestowed with the Mantel of the Patriarch . With God's Blessing we strive for God's graces blessings and SALVATION.

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Chad Martinac
9/20/2017 12:54:07 pm

Do you know my grandpa George Michael Martinac jr and his brother Butch. Or my great grandparents George Sr and Anna Dumovich-Martinac

Mary Cummins
7/8/2020 01:22:39 pm

I lived on Strawberry Hill as a teenager, and have many fond memories playing hide and seek with neighborhood adults and children, bondfires & sleigh riding down Thompson Street which was blocked off. I lived at 408 Fowler overlooking the river and the packing houses which was all removed for the new interstate highway. Many family names come flooding back Pollock's, Delich, Fabac, Stomffels, Yankovich, Stimac and the wonderful Jennies Cafe where her ganddaughter and I spent the afternoons getting served many wonderful dishes. We would walk up past the St John's Orphanage with many children playing in the fenced playground. It was a wonderful time in history to have lived in such a close community with so much history

Heather Morrow link
3/29/2013 02:16:28 pm

Great post! I have a photography studio in Strawberry Hill. It's such a quaint little community and you've inspired me to get out and really explore the history that surrounds us.

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John Jones
7/28/2014 04:06:58 am

Would your photography studio be on the corner of 5th and Barnett?
If so, my grandmother and my mom growing up lived on 5th & Barnett.
Until my grandmother's passing in 1961 (I was 11), I spent a lot of time there and the corner building was once Bruson's Market where we bought goodies all the time. I also spent summers at the orphanage while my parents worked. I still visit the neighborhood frequently.

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A. Koska
10/27/2015 07:12:45 am

My husband's family owned Bruson's Market. He has such fond memories of Strawberry Hill. I'm trying to find a place where I can buy some of Marijana's prints. Any ideas?

Chad Martinac
10/18/2016 07:51:25 pm

I just moved back to my roots ! At 406 Thompson. Spending summers with my gradparents and 7 aunts was so amazing. Today there is still the closeness. I'd love to see you're work. I'm an artist of all sort lol. I'm on FB as well! TTYS!!

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Karolyn Tomasic
4/3/2013 01:24:55 pm

I currently live here. What a nice surprise to find this website. Thank you so much.

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Mary Pat Thomas
9/27/2015 04:27:53 am

Karolyn, thank you for your post - My father's family grew up in Strawberry Hill (John and Dorathea Tomasic). They first lived on the street that lies next to the church. After that they moved to Ann Street and Ohio Avenue as their family grew. Sister M. Claudia was head of the orphanage there and also taught school there. Other family members were: John, Joseph, Caroline, Albert, Michael, Matthew (my father), Harold and Louis Thomas. A daughter of John and Dorathea - Lubia, died at a young age during those years. Father Horvat was pastor of the Church then. The name Vrbanic sounds familiar to me, was wondering if you knew any of them or have family members who knew them. I would love to go through the museum some day but was never able to find it open when I would go visit my parents. I have visited the Church and it is awesome. Sister Claudia lived there for many years before being transferred to Pennsylvania to be principal of a school there. She eventually returned to the Motherhouse in Lemont, Illinois where we would go to visit her. She died there after 65 years as a Third Order Franciscan and is buried in Lemont, IL. Thank you.

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Chad Martinac
10/18/2016 07:54:05 pm

James and John Vrbanic are my uncles by marriage as well as the Skradskis. My last name isMartinac

Chad Martinac
10/24/2016 12:09:15 am

Also my Uncle John Vrbanic's family owned Vrbanic Grocery here in Strawberry Hill. It's actually the house we live in now. Hasn't been grocery store for decades and decades 70 years but it was the only one.

TaraDene Creek
7/6/2018 09:35:42 am

Would you happen to be related to a Barbara/Bara (Tomasic) Miskec (1877-1952)? I have a photograph of her with my GGgrandmother where she refers to Barbara as her aunt. My family knows practically nothing about my grandmother and I am trying to find out more. Feel free to email me if you do: janeway6255@icloud.com

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Mary Cummins
7/8/2020 01:42:43 pm

Carolyn, I was so happy to have found this site, as trying to help a customer of my husband's who's grandparents house is on the Historical Society at 6th & Spitlog (Yarborvich) think I spelled that correct and you may know of it. He is trying to research his family in croatia. I lived on the "Hill" till 1958 when our house at 408 Fowler was taken for the expressway. I remember going to Jennies Cafe with her granddaughter (Bonnie)and eating in the kitchen. Me and one of the Pollock girls would polka on the sawdust floors at corner tavern when no one was in there (about 5 mins) I remember many family names Stimac, Delich, Stomffel, Yankovich, Pollock, Marinavich and probably many others if I thought for a while. They would block off Thompson St in the winter to sleigh ride with a barrel fire at the bottom---hide and seek in the summer with all the kids and adults and watching the older ladies make povatisa on a large kitchen table oh so many wonderful memories and wonderful people that lived there and so happy to have been part of my life. I'm sure you also have great memories!!.

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Stephanie Sandelich
4/4/2013 03:47:39 pm

My sister & brother-in-law's wrought iron fence is in the 2nd photo! Our family donated the altar made by Anton Horvat that was pictured. It was hand-made for our grandparents Matt & Louise Panjada. Our family still lives on Strawberry Hill and love our continuing heritage! we are also members of Hrvatski Obicaj playing in the Croatian orchestra band that keeps our traditions alive!!

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Zdravka
7/11/2016 12:36:45 pm

God Bless it is so nice to hear story Like That. We are ALL over this beautiful country. I am Croatian And proud of it.

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Chad Martinac
12/17/2016 01:14:29 am

Hi Stephanie you asked recently about aunt and unle john and Bernie Martinac my dad is Jay

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Peter
1/17/2018 03:06:27 am

Thankyou for your beautiful family gave me goosebumps !

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Alex link
4/10/2013 02:13:39 am

Wow, it's great to see that my post has rekindled so many great memories for people. Thanks for reading, everyone!

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Bud Kolich
4/14/2013 09:57:19 pm

As I listen to the Tamburitzans vivid memories of Strawberry Hill come to me. One is of attending 11:20 mass at Saint Mary's with my Dad around 1960 (That mass was your last chance to attend in the area and my Dad and I were frequent attendees;-). After mass we would walk down to his childhood home on Ann and visit with my grandmother Eva. She would always have a pot of soup ready for the Sunday visitors. I can almost smell the soup. What I can still smell is the 2-3 barrels of wine that my grandfather Anton in various states of readiness in a covered walkway on the lower level. I must have had a sip or two, because I can remember the flavor. It was a full bodied red wine, which to this day is still my first choice. I have lived in East Aurora, NY for the last 33 years after a few years in Chicago, but part of me is still with that home on Ann. I would like to think that it is one of my best parts...

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Marilyn
11/30/2013 01:56:03 pm

My grandparents (Soptic) lived on Ann with all my aunts and uncles. My grandfather passed away when I was very young. Funny to hear that street name. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

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Sarah
12/3/2015 11:36:58 pm

Hi Marilyn, I was reading through these comments and noticed yours, my maiden name is Soptich and my family is from strawberry hill as well. My grandfather's name was Henry Soptich. His Father was George Henry Soptich. Any relation?

Kathleen
4/25/2016 08:30:01 pm

Looking for Marilyn and Sarah who are making comments on the Soptic/ Henry Soptich / George Henry Soptich family. Would like to connect.

Chad Martinac
10/18/2016 07:57:35 pm

I got into trouble for sneaking into the this Big Glass bottle grape wine haha. I loved grapes and I got in trouble for picking them and eating them with a girl I had a crush on that was in 89? Or 90

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Amanda
5/4/2013 04:46:36 am

My Grandma Rosemary Calovich (Cavlovic) was born on the Hill to Mirko (Mark) and Margareta (Mary) Cavlovich (Car)...she stayed in the orphanage as a young child at times through the weeks as her parents worked long shifts at Armor meat packing plant. Thank God for the strong backs and even trongers faith of the Croats. Going to see our family in Ribnik (Karlovac) county, Hrvatska this year. Zivili! :)

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Matthew Calovich link
12/7/2015 12:47:50 am

your grandma Rosemary was my aunt and Mirko and Mary were my grandparents. My father was Nick.

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Jean Anne Calovich Sullivan
1/27/2016 10:34:12 am

Hi Matt, Kathy and Megan and I went to the museum a couple of years ago it was great I saw dads name in the WW II plaque in the Caroation room

Amanda
11/30/2018 08:30:41 pm

Hello, I have not looked at these messages in years! I sent you a message Matthew, mi smo Čavlovići!

Jean Anne Calovich Sullivan
1/27/2016 10:42:43 am

Hi Amanda, Your grandma was my Aunt Rosemary I have lost track of that part of the family. I knew they lived in the state of Washington,but my dad told me that they move to Az. He didn't have much information. If you can give me any history of your family I would appreciate it very much Thanks again your cousin Jean Anne

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Amanda
11/30/2018 08:32:46 pm

Rosemary lives! She will be 90 in February! Sorry I have not checked this message board in years!

Kathleen
6/27/2016 07:02:42 am

Amanda - What do you know about Mary CAR's family? Was she the sister of Ana (who married Henry SOPTICH)? Do you have her parents' names?

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Amanda
11/30/2018 08:35:31 pm

Prabaka Mara/Margareta was the oldest sister of Bara/Barbara Macan (Car). I do not know about an Ana, but I have met the sons of her brothers Miho (Mike) and Nikola, and am in touch with the daughter of her brother Petar in Argentina

Norma Soptich DeGraw
6/5/2020 04:28:39 pm

I just found your post on a Strawberry Hill website. My husband, Henry George Soptich's grandmother was Ana CAR (STAJCAR). My granddaughter has been to Croatia 2 times and has done quite a bit of genealogy research. Would love for us to share. Looking forward to hearing from you. Norma (nldegraw@icloud.com)

Michael Lally
3/4/2018 10:05:17 am

My mother grew up on the hill and went to st. Johns. She was a Lisac(lacy) in America. One of 10 children. My dad was irish and grandpa lacy liked him because he got jobs at the meat packing plants for his children. Plus the daughters were very pretty so grandpa allowed one lucy to marry an irishman. That wasn't a common practice to marry outside the culture but became practical as the melting pop of america was in full steam after the massive immigration from so many countries. Thank God for America and our blended culture.

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Dan Sullivan
3/4/2018 12:08:14 pm

Michael,

Lived on Ann just behind St. Mary's, went to school there, but moved to KCMO in 1942. Had two Lacy playmates, Johnny, lived on Ann between 5th & 6th, believe he went to St. John's. His pop was a KCK fireman and Johnny followed suit in the 1950s. The other was Shirley Lacy, she went to St. Mary's School and was a classmate. Have a class photo taken in 1940/41. Shirley lived on Ann, between 4th & 5th, up the hill from St. John's.
My pop was also Irish and my mother, Rose Marie Zagar, was Croatian.You are right about marrying out of the culture, as my mother related, there was a lot of hell raised by both families!

If Shirley lacy was a relation and you like a copy of the class photo, please contact me at; 650-758-1659 or: sailor_81_kck@yahoo.com

Dan

Amanda
5/4/2013 04:48:41 am

PS: Strawberry hill povatica is the best, and I love Marijana grisniks art.....you can see our familys' homes in some of the paintings :)

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Alex link
5/4/2013 07:10:29 am

it IS the best! And that's really neat that you can see your homes in paintings!

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TaraDene Creek
12/1/2018 07:38:28 am

Hi Amanda. I saw in your reply to another comment that you know about the Car-Macan family. I have a couple of questions for you as I believe they might be related to my family, the Sturlic’s. Could you please email me? Janeway6255@icloud.com

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Amanda
12/2/2018 08:31:46 am

Hello TaraDeen. I am not apprised of a relation to Sturlić/Bosilevac? I’d like to help if I could but I’m not sure how.

Krissteen Korosac Davis
7/25/2013 03:29:56 pm

This was great! I grew up at 5th and Elizabeth and went to St.John's.
I am 67 and back in the day the hill was a wonderful place to grow up.
So many memories. Thank you.

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Tim Bukovac
11/28/2014 02:03:39 am

My GrandParents lived on the hill, n. side of the street. Growing up, we seen them every Sunday and I did sneak some of His wine!
I still go over there from time to time. Sure a lot of memories.
Thanks

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Ramona Avery Bukovac
1/27/2016 10:03:37 am

Tim,

I was married to Tom Bukovac of Kansas City. HIs parents were Bernice and Rudy. HIs brothers are Dan, Jim and Larry. His sister is Edye. Are you any relation?

Christine Allen Pitts
1/15/2018 02:07:08 pm

We might be related..... My grandmother, Katie Wolf was your grandmother's 1st cousin...I think. I remember going to Jennie's to eat on 5th street with the Wolf family. Please let me know what you think!

DEBORAH SIXTA ROGERS
11/30/2014 10:12:50 am

HI KRISSTEEN! MY GREAT GRANDPARENTS LIVED AT 5TH AND ELIZABETH. THEIR LAST NAME WAS KORASAC. I WONDER IF WE ARE RELATED? I WAS BAPTIZED AT ST. JOHNS. I JUST TURNED 60. MY GREAT GRANPA WAS NAMED FRED. THEY CAME FROM THE TOWN OF CABAR, CROATIA.

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Elizabeth M. Frakes
1/4/2014 03:08:09 am

I have visited the Museum. It is wonderful and an important part
of Kansas City,Kansas history. Thank You to the many people
who made it possible and maintain it for our citizens.

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Greg Cunneen (Mother Aleksaites)
1/17/2014 07:36:29 am

Thank you for sharing this Alex. My Great Grandmother was Helen Stanuga (one of the two women from the newspaper clipping about the Interstate arrival). My family still talks about that time to this very day. It was difficult for people to witness their homes and memories demolished in order for progress to be made with an Interstate. The people of Strawberry Hill live on thanks to posts like these!

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Alex link
1/17/2014 08:15:37 am

Yes, I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for your great-grandmother and her neighbors! But I'm glad my blog can help preserve part of the neighborhood's heritage and memory.

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William Vrbanac
1/22/2014 06:54:02 am

I grew up on Ann between 4th and 5th street.

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Tanya Thompson
11/29/2014 03:10:00 am

Hey there! I live at 4th & ann in a home that has been owned by the same family since 1900 when it was built. I'm trying to gather info and history on the home. Please contact me if you'd be willing to talk to me about what you know! :) tanya.silver0913@yahoo.com is my email

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Pam Schnirch Carter
11/29/2014 11:49:39 pm

I was born and raised on Barnett between 4th and 5th street. It was indeed a simpler time!

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Doris Vrbanac Minear
4/26/2015 06:56:06 am

William Vrbanac I can't believe I've found another Vrbanac, I believe we are related. I think your Dad and my Day were 1st Cousins, My Dad's father was John Vrbanac, they grew up on Strawberry Hill, I born on 6th St, and Orville in KCK. My Grandparents lived at 309 Orchard St. til they passed away. Did you have a sister Terese Brophy?

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Betty Ann
6/6/2016 11:33:56 am

Terese Brophy was the daughter of Otto JR. William is of our generation, probably younger. I think he had a sister. I want to say Sharon??? I think deceased??? I believe he has a daughter named Elizabeth, a model, I saw pictures of her on line. I think William's grandfather was Matt.

Joan Stalzer
6/26/2016 05:33:04 pm

Doris, my Dad Raymond Donald Stalzer and his brother Eugene grew up on Orville with my grandparents John and Alma.

chad Martinac
11/22/2017 11:31:43 pm

James was married to Kathy Marks at the time. In the 80;s Uncle James would come get me at 10 on a schoolnight and stay up late watching superman. John was dad. Attorney right? I'm trying to find James

William Vrbanac
4/5/2018 12:12:26 pm

Terese was my cousin and recently past away. I currently live in Topeka but return to KCK perform with Hrvatski Obicaj.

Chad Martinac
8/7/2019 05:55:37 pm

Hey there. I come from a long line of proud Croatians, Growing up on Thompson and actually my wife&I rented 406 Thompson in 2016 after Jay remodeled it(matlack) who has no ties to the hill but trying to well I'll keep my mouth in check lol.Uncle James Vrbanic and John ,he was an attorney when I was 8 James was married to Kathy Marks. My family first arrived in 1895 from Split & the island of . Uncle John was like a dad to me I sure would love to talk. Uncle Johns old partner leaves his name on the office by WYCO court. Both grand dad's great and JR. We're George Michael Martinac SR & Jr AKA "Sonny"his brother was Uncle "Butch" their parents were Anna Dumovich-Martinac . My family tree is hard to make out but Vladimir and Magdalena arrived then there's mention of jankovich all from the Hungarian Empire still at that time.My dad is Jay Martinac his brother is John sisters are Bernadette,Jenny, I painted the trim off white and the front door red and had our Coat of Arms flying high but we got very sick and they did nothing so I went to the city learned they had no license for rent nor pre inspection. So we became and still in recovery from black mold and the smell of eggs and sleeping 40+hrs was poisoning from septic pipe collapse under the street.Methane gas intoxification. Then I was turning off bathroom light after a shower my slipped went behind the switch plate the only half fit on trim leaving a softball size hole I was and pow. I collapse felt like a hammer hit me on top of the head. We do have a group and WYUG working on this. My wife lost our only pregnancy due to her illness.Her job in Psychology after 11yrs, the City said we had to move. We lost a vehicle and brand new sectional, big New Bed. Clothes and a big flat screen TV some I was coming back for electronics but wood objects clothes we started over with nothing and still haven't gotten a bed.My great grandfather was a cop. Then owned original 403 club next to his house directly behind ours. We Called grandma Anna Grandma Cookie! If anyone knows my family grandpa's second job was the stockyards and his brother were both butchers. Dad (Jay now blind)was in the orphanage. I'm needing help finding items in good condition to surprise my wife with. All this has caused some major anxiety and depression for her. Over 9k in loss. We need a king bed any type of small table for the kitchen to make it the coffee area any lamps and this more than any ha being a decent laptop I'll buy or desktop. But if everyone could help mainly a bed and computer I can buy at reasonable price but figured out people would come through for us. Also if you find a brown leather recliner or ottoman for my back. Hope to hear back from familiar faces. Some new. 🇭🇷 Chad Martinac 🇭🇷

Chad Martinac
11/29/2019 11:44:24 pm

I grew up with my Uncles through marriage generations back James and Kathy Vrbanac and uncle John was a lawyer who I recently well am in urgent need of a lawyer since John passed I believe but his partner keeps his name up for business sake. Is this the same family? Vrbanac is spelled like 10 different ways. Uncle James had construction like putting in an addition to the house. A pool and jacuzzi. He'd come get me at 8-9pm and I'd stay over and we'd ppl lay Superman. I had a cape he was lexluther. He called me supe-baby! And we can watch movies drink boy beer(Welch's grape in a can) and stay up as late as we want. When my mom divorced my dad is Jay Martinac sisters Jennifer, Bernadette/Bernice ,John and Carol Foley (Irish/Croatian married my grandpa George Michael Martinac JR. He left and the girls stayed at home but dad was in the orphanage he's Blind completely from R.P. where fluid causes retinal detach. It's can be easily be reversed now back then they jabbed needles in eyes etc Now it's too late. Muhammad Ali had it. 2) questions Can ANYONE TELL ME IS THIS MY FAMILY ? MY WIFE AND I HAD A HOUSE ON THOMPSON BEHIND MY MY GREAT GRANDPA RENTS WHO RETIRED AS A KcKPD and a WW2Vet also worked as a weigh master at the stockyards then during prohibition well u know. He owned the Bar next door to their home off 5th across from the Croatian NH ASSOC. CALLED THE 403 Club. In 2016 we moved into 406 Thompson. It use to be Vrbanac Grocery then a house I believe WOLFS lived there the name was painted in garage. Under the floor in basement locked from inside with tunnels but we got terribly I'll from black mold. The attic?A roof built on another with no windows but ceiling fans blowing moisture Up. The were smelling fowelness. Grant it we fell in love with it and talked about buying once they made a profit. Matlack? Remodeled it we learned from the city there was no license to rent or inspection. I was electrocuted due to no ground on the house electrical. They brought a ultrasound machine and found the septic collapsed out front so gasses were coming up through drains. We lost brand new sectional and bed from Christmas. I had a furniture project room all set up GONE FROM SPORES. I SET LAST LOAD W TV ALL CLOTHES AND COATS SHOES TOOLS I BUILT UP IN A YEAR WHEN I RETURNED LICKS WERE CHANGED. WE HAD MULCH I PAINTED THE OUTSIDE WINDOW TRIM OFF WHITE. THE DOOR RED AND USED STENCIL FOR 406 On door. I WAS ABOUT TO PAINT THE OUTSIDE AND PUT UP COOL NEW FENCING W A GATE FOR PRIVACY. Joe Markovich and Mary lived across the way. Now it's happened again with Oliver Abnos own old property on Troost and Ive been robbed and assaulted in daylight walking a block from gas station. Fractured eye and head while healing from a wreck . Our house was about to be burglarized at 8:15 am my wife past the guy. Im making coffee the door pops and Xmas bells jingle loudly camera is mounted right there to. I grabbed my weapon stepped out in hall/commons he was sitting in frt of someone else's door. I made sure he saw my Springfield XDS MOD .40 holstered while calling PD he ran I to ok chase but stopped at 39th realizing I look nuts in PJs chasing someone. 6mos still has no locks on entrances. Cutwires to fire Dept red box. Should I call code enforcement? We lost jobs of 10+ years due to illness that's never really left. Now it's back. It's worse after head trauma now. I flew my Croatian coat of Arms flag out front it was home. We had everything we needed. Space. Family's new mine. We want to back? Please if you know of a nice rental at 800 pref less ready for move in. Thompson would be great but if not at least close.

PS if anyone has a property all references and job info is ready.my family has roots back to 1895 we don't wanna sign another lease. Wife is a psychologist. Spread the word please email ASAP AT

martinac.chad0214@gmail.com
(816)534-3110

Respectfully
The Martinac Family

(Looking for cute Lil house with an upper bedroom loftsyle but not a must would like a backyard with parking or garage and a balcony 800- or less) we will take care of and as always clean gutters,powerwah the house. I also have good renters insurance policy and wireless Security Cameras 8 of them. I look fwd to ideas. As this is urgent

Mary Pat Thomas (Tomasic)
9/27/2015 04:17:32 am

My father's family grew up in Strawberry Hill (John and Dorathea Tomasic). They first lived on the street that lies next to the church. After that they moved to Ann Street and Ohio Avenue as their family grew. Sister M. Claudia was head of the orphanage there and also taught school there. Other family members were: John, Joseph, Caroline, Albert, Michael, Matthew (my father), Harold and Louis Thomas. A daughter of John and Dorathea - Lubia, died at a young age during those years. Father Horvat was pastor of the Church then. The name Vrbanic sounds familiar to me, was wondering if you knew any of them or have family members who knew them. Thank you.

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Mary Pat Thomas
12/2/2015 12:53:44 pm

In my query regarding the "Thomas Family" in my search for information on this family I see that the original spelling is seen two ways, "Tomasic" and "Tomasich" before it was Americanized. My father's sister was "Anna/Sister Claudia" who was prioress of the Orphanage and also taught at the school. I would love to hear from anyone who knew her or knew of her. Thank you, and God bless you all.. - Mary Pat Thomas

Mark Curtis
7/30/2016 09:26:41 am

Do you remember the Ropers on the hill my mom Bernice Roper Curtis went to school with Tomasic she had brother Pete Henery Matt curtismark72@yahoo.com

Chad Martinac
12/17/2016 01:26:23 am

Hi Mary my great grandparents owned vrbanic grocery. My uncle James vrbanic and john is a retired lawyer here. That is moms side. My grandpa George Martinac went by sonny and his are in my family. My house on Thompson after the flood was added on as a house several generations while my family my dad Jay Martinac and john were sent to the orphanage while my grandad was ar war. My great grand mother Rosey Martinac just passed on. My parents and grandparents go way back with tomasics several generations. I'm a fourth generation to live here and proudly have my coat of arms blowing in the wind

TaraDene Creek
7/6/2018 09:44:28 am

Mary Pat- would happen to be related to a Barbara/Bara (Tomasic) Miskec (1877-1952). I have two photographs of her, one of which my GGgrandma is in the photograph with her and refers to her as “aunt Barbara.” Very Little is known about my grandmother (surname is Bosilevac, married name Sturlic/Sturlich) and I am trying to find out more. Feel free to email me janeway6255@icloud.com

Mark Curtis
7/30/2016 08:55:44 am

My mom grew up their Bernice Roper,Henry Roper,Pete Roper,Mat Roper,

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Chad Martinac
10/18/2016 08:01:49 pm

Jon and James Vrbanec are my in laws

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Chad Martinac
11/29/2019 11:54:38 pm

Hello
James and John(he was an attorney) are my uncle's growing up. I was very close to James when married to Kathy. Are you related to them? Vrbanac is spelled several ways. If so do you know how to reach James? My wife and I are in search to move back to the hill from 2017 Dealing w a slumlord and need help from the inside like the old days. Would like Thompson 800 or less till ready to to buy. U can read our full story a ways down I think. It's been a NITEMARE and are newly pregnant. We need in a nice safe neighborhood. We didn't know about Troost. I've been robbed of rent and assaulted w a gun. Perm brain Trauma and aren't in a lease. Looking to move now. Please let me know.

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Therese Riley
3/24/2014 03:12:03 am

I enjoyed reading this! Mrs. Zupanac (in the newspaper clipping at the fence) was my great-grandmother. Their house was directly across from the orphanage. I finally got to visit the museum last year!

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warren spehart link
12/27/2014 12:17:51 am

Therese Riley and I are related. Anna (aunt) Zupanac was my grandmother's sister (Kata Novosel, maiden name Sutlic). Both Kata and and Anna as teenagers worked on the estate of a man named Sladovic near Netretic (Karlovac county). Kata was in charge of the kitchen, Anna the general housekeeper.

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April Spehar
8/21/2017 07:06:38 pm

Hi, just seen your last name... my dad grew up on strawberry hill... he use to tell me that spehar use to be spelled with a "t" at the end.

Jeff Dixon
11/16/2017 10:43:36 am

Hello, I am helping a friend with her Sutlic genealogy. Would you know of a Peter Sutlic who was born 1911 in Wood River, IL (across river from St Louis, Mo)? His family was from Netretic. His father was Mathew Sutlic and his mother was Barbara Hartman.

Jennifer Nicholson Geller
5/16/2018 06:48:14 pm

I am related to Warren, so Therese Riley and I are related as well. Kata Novosel was my great grandmother!

Donna Rector
5/17/2018 06:08:11 am

My maiden name is Spehar. I have only seen Spehar spelled with at T once before and that is when I was in Highschool. My grandfather was from the village of Cerovnik which is also in Karlovac County, Croatia.

Tricia Verbeck
7/29/2018 08:39:34 pm

Donna Rector, My maternal great grandmother was Anna Novak (Spehar) I wonder where are connection is. I don’t know much about the Spehar side of the family tree.
Also I went to school with a Teressa Rector at Ward.

Chad Martinac
3/6/2019 11:08:56 pm

We my sister Shelly have a great friend in NY named Katie or Kate Novosel she's our generation 80s kids. I'm first generation Croatian\Strawberry Hill. If any affordable houses are for rent plz text me eight16 4nine1 132seven. Asap as close to Thompson but budget is 800

Chad Martinac
8/7/2019 06:07:06 pm

My sister Shelly Martinac's beat friend since we were kids lives in NYC now Kate Novosel I think she's a lawyer now.
Are you related? She'd be in her 30'

Audrey Deason Mother Mamie Dad Fred
4/24/2014 09:31:24 am

I was born at General Hospital then we lived in this area till I was about 7 yrs I think. we went to the church close by on Sundays we had a german shepherd dog . I was the 7th child of 10 grear grand mother was Margret and we had someone named Emma in family but never met her.Great grandpa was married to Margert we lived in a home just like the museum house with lots of stairs on a big hill

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PAT LOVITCH HAZEN
5/2/2014 11:37:47 am

Nice to find this ...I have not been back to this area in over 35 years...many memories!!! Pat Hazen

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shawna vunovich
9/8/2014 06:44:13 am

when st. johns was a children's home I lived there and I liked it.
I just looked at the pictures and it's like I never left.
Would you happen to know where the sister's are?
Sister Frances. I liked her best.

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Harry Jacobs
12/18/2017 01:32:52 pm

I lived in the group home from 1982 to 1983 loved ellen, cindy linda russ rob didnt care for ron, pat logan , jane bowls the activity director tim larry either i remeber you amy patrcia danny gary john to bad i was only there a year

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john jones
9/8/2014 08:59:08 am

I, for one, don't have a clue, Shawna. One thing I do remember during my daily stays was sitting in a circle - outdoors - under a shade tree, in the afternoon no less, during the hottest part of August imaginable, holding a candle with a real flame attached,
singing "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine". WHEW!
That was about 55 years ago and I'm STILL undergoing therapy.
LOL.

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John Jones
9/8/2014 08:59:50 am

I, for one, don't have a clue, Shawna. One thing I do remember during my daily stays was sitting in a circle - outdoors - under a shade tree, in the afternoon no less, during the hottest part of August imaginable, holding a candle with a real flame attached,
singing "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine". WHEW!
That was about 55 years ago and I'm STILL undergoing therapy.
LOL.

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John Jones
9/8/2014 09:00:38 am

I, for one, don't have a clue, Shawna. One thing I do remember during my daily stays was sitting in a circle - outdoors - under a shade tree, in the afternoon no less, during the hottest part of August imaginable, holding a candle with a real flame attached,
singing "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine". WHEW!
That was about 55 years ago and I'm STILL undergoing therapy.
LOL.

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John Jones
9/8/2014 12:23:43 pm

Replying 3 times is part of my therapy...
I sure don't know what happened there.

While I'm here, I'll pass on another memory. Across from the gate of the orphanage, there was a store - Pitko's Market, which is gone now. I'd stand at that gate drooling over goodies that kids were leaving with. Talk about torture! That markets' reach may as well have been on another continent instead of across the street.

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Susan Terrell link
12/2/2015 02:48:43 pm

Pitko's moved to 77th and Leavenworth Road and later closed.

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Sandi Korosac Lauro
10/21/2014 10:32:11 pm

I grew up at 5th and Elizabeth and went to kindergarten at St. John's and remember the play house in the class room. The rest of my school days were at St. Anthony''s. Thank you for the Memory's. It was certainly the good life.

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kristina mikesic link
10/23/2014 04:42:57 am

Not sure if you are interested in a follow up but this Saturday the 25th of October there is a 100th anniversary celebration to commemorate the hall on 404 N. 5th Street. It was and continues to be the home of many activities and it was newly renovated this year by a crew of volunteer men. C.F.U. Lodge #35 calls this place home.

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Alex link
10/23/2014 01:27:48 pm

Sounds like fun! I have a prior commitment this Saturday, but I hope you and everyone else has a wonderful celebration!!

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Janet King
12/2/2015 02:58:42 pm

was there a place around there called Time Out Tavern? Spent a few times there

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Chad Martinac
3/6/2019 11:17:32 pm

1st Gen Hillian lol MARTINAC IS MY LAST NAME and we ha EA Vrbanac, Dummovich are relatives. We lived at 406 n thompTho2 years ago I really did it painted the red door made it home owner never had safety inspection, I was socked, then we we forced to move lost everything black mold. We badly want to move back but they didn't even have a license to rent. My wife was out of work for a year. It's been rough. Families passing. If you know of an nice but affordable house or something would you please call me 81six 4nine1 132seven . We really need a break I appreciate it, also I'm wanting to join the CFU.

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Chad Martinac update #
11/30/2019 12:02:06 am

New cell is (816)534-3110

Mark G. Spiranovich
11/23/2014 12:52:59 pm

I read the Strawberry Hill Article and find it very interesting. One omission, unless I overlooked it, is that there is no mention of Monsigor Krmpotic, who was very influential in the City of Kansas City and the State of Missouri.

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Linda Matthews
11/25/2014 01:15:05 am

Monsigor Krmpotic was very influential in the Croatian community and he help build the church with the Croatian community and workers. I would also like to hear more of Monsigor Krmpotic.

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Linda Matthews
11/25/2014 01:10:23 am

I grew up in Strawberry Hill and went to school and church at St. John's. I loved it there and go back as often as I can when I go back home. My mother Mary was a Novogradac. Seeing all these pictures brings back so many memories. I been through the orphanage and had seen all the beautiful woodworking craftsmanship of the men. My grandparents Nick Novogradac and Mara Bradica married at St. John's in 1905 by father Kromptic? (spelling might not be right) . The church was build in 1903.

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bob smola
7/30/2017 12:37:37 pm

My grandmother was Kata Gorup,born in Lipnik in 1889 - moved to Omaha. . She married Joseph Bosiljevac of Cella Rovnica - just a short distance from Lipnik/Ribnik.
We have been there and a distant nephew lives on the homestead. His name is Dragi Gorup and he is married to Anica Bradica who grew up a few houses from the Gorup home. Anica can be reached at anica.bradica@renault.com.

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Lilia Baker
3/2/2020 04:53:40 am

Any relation to George (Jure?) Novogradac, married to Sophie Virag/Viraque, and had at least one son Michael, who married a Matilda Stabler? They built a house on 3rd and Washington and helped build the church as well

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Denise NovoGradac Zamora
3/4/2020 04:22:05 pm

Jure was my Great grandfather and Sophie was my Great grandmother Michael their son was my father John Uncle.

John Jones
11/25/2014 01:36:36 am

Would anyone know when St. John's School closed? Mom graduated from St. John's around 1938. I would've liked to visit the school, but it's probably impossible now.

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Denise NovoGradac
11/26/2014 10:16:21 am

My Great Grandfather Jure NovoGradac was on the board of directors and the building committee for the church. I have been told by my aunt Dolores that he hand worked on hand craving the alter.

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Lilia Baker
3/2/2020 04:49:21 am

Would he be related to a George Novogradac, who came from Karlovac, Croatia, married Sophie Viraque/Virag and also worked on St. John's? They built a house on 3rd and Washington in Strawberry Hill and had at least 1 son I know of, Michael, who married a Matilda Stabler.

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James Marinovich
11/27/2014 12:27:59 am

And for stories about Strawberry Hill from someone who actually grew up there: http://www.amazon.com/Strawberry-Hill-Other-Croatian-American-Tales/dp/1491009101/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417105532&sr=1-1&keywords=james+marinovich

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Barbara Melton
10/25/2015 09:17:02 am

Mr. Marinovich, just a few hours prior to finding this thread, I requested that Johnson County Library add your book to their collection. What a nice surprise to see your post here...albeit almost a year ago. I am eager to read your book!

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John Stimac
11/27/2014 02:01:48 am

Wow……the memories!
My aunt and uncle lived 5 houses up from St. Johns.

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John Jones
11/27/2014 10:18:52 am

Would you, by chance, be the same John Stimac from Bishop Ward H.S. - Class of '68?

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Anthony
6/27/2015 07:39:15 am

are you related to my grandmother Julia Stimac who was born in Cabar and married Phillip

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CHICO JANES
11/27/2014 04:12:45 am

My grandpa Tony Janes' lived at 525 Tauromee moms parents lived at 402 Thompson the Barsic , Cigich lived across the st , Baska'
s Munjacks , Wolfes Tauromee

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Chad Martinac link
10/18/2016 08:09:22 pm

Saw sigich today my dad Jay Martinac's old buddy. My family has two generations plus me now at 406 with the big Coat of Arms flag. Does anyone know my family? Jay,Jon and my uncle Butch,grandad Geaorge"sonny" Martinac

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Nick Springer
11/27/2014 11:08:49 am

Awesome article. I grew up near there. Both my parents grew up there. I lived at 6th and Orville up until a couple years ago. My Grandpa Reising ran the Reising funeral home at 7th and splitlog. I still love that area. I'm so happy there are a lot of people who work to take care of that neighborhood and return it to its glory. laku noć. imaju veliku zahvalnosti

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Jean Anne Calovich Sullivan
11/28/2014 07:03:01 am

My Dad Nicholas J Calovich spent a few years there when his mother died when he was 5 before his dad remarried.

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Theresa Kovac McKinzie Hendrix
11/28/2014 02:54:55 pm

Strawberry Hill was my life from birth. My entire family attended St. John the Baptist Church and school. My Grandparents lived at 507 Thompson in what was a convent at the time my Grandma Kovac bought it and until they passed The history is rich and means everything to me. I still use the cookbooks and make all of the traditional recipes especially Povitica. I have passed the history and traditions to my children as well. My daughter and I plan to take a trip to Zagreb and the coast of Croatia to experience the history for ourselves. I do miss the area and always visit when I am in town.

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Tanya Thompson
12/2/2014 01:15:03 pm

Hello Theresa, I am working on writing the environmental history of my home which is on 4th & Ann...the same family has owned it since it was built in 1900. I would love to hear about your life on Strawberry Hill and perhaps ask a few questions. If you'd be willing to talk to me please email me at tanyat@reecenichols.com
Thank you in advance!!!!

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Mark Curtis
7/30/2016 09:09:28 am

My grand parents came from Zagreb their names where Ropers They had * kids my mom Bernice Roper Curtis,Henery Roper,Pete Roper Ann Roper,Dorthy Roper,Matt Roper,his son Michael Roper Died 7/24/16 Patty Roper all these names sound so familier Pitko's was great Kovac was a name I knew well ihad cousins named George and Dorthy Bibbs thought I would drop a line.

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Mike Frankovich
11/29/2014 08:37:58 pm

What a wonderful website, and string of comments. My grandparents, John and Barbara, lived at 333 Anne Avenue until "The Interstate" took their home. I remember my parents pulling me in a wagon, or on a sled from our home on Tauromee to Grandma's house every Friday night for big family get-togethers. We always stopped at Weiss' on 6th Street to have a gallon jug filled with beer from the tap! What a wonderful childhood!!!

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Patti Miskec-Pease
11/30/2014 01:23:16 am

I was born and raised in the house next to St. John's school. This was such a wonderful trip down memory lane for me. Thanks.

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Donna (Del Percio) Lewallen
12/1/2014 01:16:33 am

My grandparents lived at 4th & Armstrong. My parents lived at 5th & Ann when I was born. Even though we are Italian our KCK roots are at Strawberry Hill. It was and still remains full of history and wonderful memories for me.

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Dan Sullivan
12/10/2015 10:44:42 am

Donna,

Lived just behind St. Mary's at 516 Ann during the late 1930s. Visited the Del Percio home many times with my parents, Rose (Zagar) and John Sullivan. Do remember Your Grandparents, Michael Angelo and Josephine (?). Can't remember all the family, Filomena, Nick, Mike(?). Youngest was nicknamed "Mousey"!
Now live in California, but visit Strawberry Hill often. Easter Mass at St. John's three years in a row. Took my wife a tour two years ago, walked Armstrong and walked the alley to see their home.
Your Grandfather had a connection with the Lusitania, sunk by the Germans in WW I, are you aware of this?
Hope to hear from you.

Dan



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Susan
2/8/2018 03:53:26 pm

Dan I would love to hear the story. My Grandfather was Nick Del Percio. He would tell the story many times when I was young but as Ive aged I dont remember a lot of them. I drive by Great Grandma and Grandpas home often. They have just completely rebuilt the inside of the home. They put up a really big fence in the back so you cant really see the house anymore from the ally. So many memories. Do you remember Great Grandpa's chickens?

Dan Sullivan
3/2/2018 10:44:23 pm

Donna/Susan,
Just noticed Susan's reply 2/8/2018 to message of 12/20/2015, but don't know how to reply.. Susan what was your dad's name? And Donna, I suspect you were born in the house built on the old St. Mary's School site. I have a St. Mary's class picture from the early 1930s with one of the Del Percio boys. Please email me!!! Think I
remember the chickens, but not sure.
Can be reached at 650-758--1659.
Dan

William Vrbanac
4/5/2018 12:28:09 pm

They were my neighbors across the alley. I miss the chickens wake up calls.

William Vrbanac
4/5/2018 12:41:19 pm

Your Grand Parents live across the alley from us.

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Sam Farmer
6/16/2018 08:29:17 pm

I lived at 414 Ann with my Croatian grandmother, Veronica Wolf while attending St John's in the mid-'50's. The early years spent on 4th & Ann are remembered as some of the happiest times in my llife, kids always welcome to just roam the beautifully-kept yards nearby. I happily remember your grandparent's brightly-colored chickens and the coops we were allowed to look into when we played in the alley. I deeply appreciate the various forms of generosity of the the older generation of that particular era. It coloured my life and sparked a curiosity of a greater world to explore. I attended and then was employed as an Art & Design lecturer at both Pittsburg St U and KU. I eventually settled in Australia, still teaching and hope to do so until I pass. BWHS class of '69. Such nostalgia...

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Linda Zager (Lovich)
11/16/2022 04:44:38 am

Is your mother Lucille DelPercio? My mother and dad lived at 5th & Ann Avenue. That's where I grew up. I remember playing with Kathleen DelPercio and her brother. Great times and days. My mother was Kathryn and John Lovich. My father owned a grocery store at 5th & Orville, formerly owned by Kate Fabina. I am related to the Verbanics.

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Sister Connie. Krstolic, osb link
12/19/2014 08:55:03 pm

Thanks for the memories! I sooo enjoyed being 'home' again. I graduated from St. John's in 1958, went on to Loretto Academy, Donnelly college, KU, worked in advertising at Macy's downtown and the entered the Benedictines at mount st Scholastica in Atchison where I am currently sub-prioress....I tell you all this because no matter where I go and I am asked about where I grew up I say with pride: " I'm from THE HILL...Straberry Hill!" There is and will always be a sense of pride in my Croatian heritage! Can't wait to get back to the museum and see where David Sachen's organ shoes are on display....he was my cousin !

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Patti Miskec Pease
6/28/2015 01:12:51 am

Sister Connie, do you remember by oldest sister, Barbara? We lived right next door to the school.

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Dave mikesic
3/11/2019 08:30:41 pm

Patti, your brother Dennis are same age. I remember your entire family we lived with grandparents at 409 Barney. Good to see your name. Hope you are well.

Renea Brockman Birney
1/10/2015 11:50:14 am

My grandparents, Thomas and Mary (Maras) Juresic lived in the area on Ohio. When my mother Frances was born they lived on Ann. These comments here brought back so many great memories. Her streusel was the best, and her soup and homemade noodles on Sunday afternoon I looked forward to. Love visiting Stawberry Hill area when I return to Kansas City.

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Kelly Cook link
3/1/2015 04:56:27 am

We moved our Design & Build Co. and The Orange Door Design Supply Showroom to the neighborhood 2 years ago. We love it here and look forward to watch it be rebuilt.

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Denny Schmidt
3/8/2015 03:20:24 pm

My darling wife was an orphan at what we believe was this facility around 1958. Her memory is vague she was pretty young. Could anyone verify that this was an orphanage in 1958.

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John Jones
3/8/2015 09:15:14 pm

Yes, St. John's was an orphanage, as well as a day care facility during that time period. My brother and I spent our summers there around that time while our parents worked. I remember a few kids who were orphans and lived there.

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Denny Schmidt
3/10/2015 02:03:49 pm

John..thanks for your comment. Could we talk about your memories of this place. my email is dennyschmidt at brainerd dot net. Do you remember a Sister Constantia. Do you know if there are any orphanage records or photos from that era at the museum. We drove down from MN to check things out and found out it was only open on the weekends.

John Jones
3/10/2015 11:11:04 pm

They're on their way, Denny.

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harry jacobs
7/30/2015 11:46:32 am

I lived at St John's children's home from April of 1982 to June of 1983 I remember I mean like yesterday I went on and on the second floor in the mens the boys side the staff were really nice live in the nuns really weren't running it too much it with monthly staff members we did have a sister by the name of sister Linda work the night shift and then sister Teresa was the director and it was a great place I just AM sad that it close but I also think that you know instead of making in museum they could have made it into a homeless place for transitional place because there's a lot of homeless people around and that place is huge not just the nun side but then decide where the orphanage and they called it or the children's home you have the second floor that can hold up to I think it was like 18 kids on you know 18 boys from one side and a teen girls it had a kitchen down in the basement it with the huge place and probably one of the best group homes I was ever in again I went to Holy Family School that's not far from there but its closed now too but a lot of the residents that live dancing group home went to st. John's it just brings back memories you know staff members there Cindy Ellen 10 Ron Linda rough there's a few staff members I can't remember all their names but it was a great place up at Logan also it's sad that it closed but you know everything does change I have been to the museum once before I moved out of state and it's too bad that they can't have like a reunion were everybody that was there I could meet and speak about their time there because it's a great place and a lot of good memories

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Lisa R. Denham
8/14/2015 07:59:53 am

This was a very interesting article. I love history! My mother grew up in the Kansas City area & I always remember my grandmother & my mother talking about how beautiful & interesting Strawberry Hill was. I always loved Povitiza from Strawberry Hill Company! I would love to your the area & the Museum & take my husband & daughter. Beautiful article! ;)

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Harry
8/14/2015 08:39:31 am

I just I did remember being there for resident room home from back in 1982 to 83 and it was good place the staff were nice, Cindy, Tim, Ron, Ellen, Linda ,Roger, Russ, sister Linda, sister Annette.

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Albert Sutlick
12/2/2015 10:40:27 am

Many memories of the area and many relatives in the KC area. For those of you asking about relationships, of course we're all related somewhere in the mix of Croatians

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Carolynn Cochran
12/2/2015 08:40:00 pm

Especially us Albie! ;)

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Steven M. Stimetz
12/2/2015 01:58:01 pm

Excellent!!! I lived at 520 Sandusky, my Aunt and Uncle Bizal lived next door at 518, my two uncles (Pazlar) lived 4 houses to the west. Needless to say, us kids did not get away with MUCH!!! Went to St. Mary's school before they tore it down. We used to walk to "Tony's" on 5th street get grocerys and sometimes candy. My first job was setting pins at St. John's bowling alley, hated it!!! Remember when Snow's Meat Market would bring in the cows, stunk bad for a few hours. Our play ground was the "end of the alley", just a empty lot, but MAN, did we have some great baseball and football games there!!! Then there was hide-and-seek, the entire neighborhood would sit on their front porches and watch us. Home base was always the fire hydrant in front of Uncle Joe's house. Man, the memories just flood in........

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Steven M. Stimetz
12/2/2015 03:25:53 pm

The family has told me that I-70 took my families store, Stimetz's Grocery. I would love if someone out there has any pictures of it. If so, call me, 913-334-4478.......Thanks

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Diane Markley
12/3/2015 07:06:25 am

Steven If you are able to find any pics of that area would you please let me know. My grandfather lived on Fowler and I shopped at Stimetz grocery store when I was very young. I have been looking for any pictures of that area prior to the turnpike.

Will Baska
3/19/2020 12:09:19 pm

I do not know if you guys still would want a photo of Stimetz since it has been 5 years. But I have two photos of the market. It was at the corner of Orville and Thompson. My great great grandparents house was the last house on Thompson to survive the highway. Email me at willbaska@gmail.com

DONNA L KERKER KING
12/2/2015 04:23:25 pm

Hello Steven M Stimetz;
I just read your post here about STRAWBERRY HILL,
Well I use to live at 517 Sandusky from 1952 to1958.
I went to St Johnssnd graduated in 1958.
I went to
Bishop Ward high in 1958-1959 then I went to WYANDOTTE HIGH.
I don't know what yr you lived there on Sandusky , I don't remember you. It's nice to read about Strawberry Hill, and and find a neighbor who lived nex door. Maybe you can jog my memory as its fading(haha).
Take care hope you reply soon
My e-mail is: dl44.king@yahoo.com and I am on Facebook under Donna L King Houston Texas
Their are many Donna L King's

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Chad M Martinac
3/6/2019 11:24:11 pm

My dad Jay Martinac was in the orphanage and his first job was setting up pins also with sigich

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Jeff Dearborn
12/2/2015 02:07:25 pm

Poppa and Momma (Grandpa and Grandma) Kostelec lived on Splitlog since I was young enough to remember. Where I got my first shot of whiskey from poppa 8-9yrs. old, maybe younger; grandma's apple strudel and povatitsa and lots of memories with my coulins.picking peaches and apricots from their tree. It was also nice to hear all my aunts and uncles tell stories about the old days before inside toilets and their favorite day. When the guys came to clean out the out house.

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Katie Martinac
12/2/2015 04:24:27 pm

Very nice to read about more of the history of Strawberry Hill as I am married into a Croatian Catholic family and St. John's is where we were married and had our kids baptized. My father-in-law and his brother always talk about those nuns :) and setting up the pins at the Catholic Club as kids.

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Chad Martinac
10/18/2016 08:31:43 pm

Katie my cousin how the heck are ya!? Come by our house! It's awesome 406 Thompson down the hill with the big Croatian flag. And red door

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Jeff pollock
12/2/2015 06:57:44 pm

I went to St Johns in 1976 my grandmother and grandfather lived on Thompson Milan and Mary Pollock. My father was Milan Jr. Pollock My aunt still lives on the hill. Great place back then to grow up and get fruit from Harry the huckster. A lot for great memories. A lot has changed every now and then I drive by to reminisce.

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Will Baska
8/7/2019 10:21:22 am

We be cousins! Your grandmother Mary Pollock and my great grandfather Joseph Stampfel were siblings!

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Kim Finley
12/3/2015 09:32:00 am

I smiled when I saw this. I grew up there, between 5th & 6th Orville. Fond memories.

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Richard Smith
7/5/2016 12:59:45 pm

Kim, I doubt very much if you remember me. I was a long-time friend of your mom, Kay. I hope you've had and continue to have a happy and healthy life. I've lost track of your mom. Last time I saw her was at Red-X and she told me she lived in the area. I hope she happy and doing well. Always liked your mom a lot...heck,everybody did. Would you please say "Hello" for me.

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Stephenie Standish
12/3/2015 10:28:40 am

Always love reading these stories. My Great Grandparents, Grandfather and Father and many of their siblings lived on Strawberry Hil mostly on N. 5th Street. I have pictures of the house before they bought it.

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pamela guerra link
12/4/2015 02:06:22 pm

Hello Stephenie, if possible I would love to hear from you. My grandmother is Annie and she was your greatgrandmothers sister and if not mistaken, your great grandmother is Rosie. I would love to see some of the pictures that you have; if possible. My grandmother didnt have many pictures but hardly any picture.

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pamela guerra link
12/6/2015 02:27:43 pm

Hello, my name is Kathy Robbins, my grandmother was Annie Sestrich Curran, Rosie Standish was her oldest sister, my grandmother was the baby, I would love to hear about anything you might know regarding the Sestrich family. I had been to the house several times as a teen and I know that up until recently, family still lived there. The address is 608 5th st.and I also know that my grandmothers brother Mike, was gunned down in the street in 1928 and died on the couch there. Please, I would love to hear from you. Number is (909)9131869.Thank you, Kathy

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Chad martinac
9/20/2017 01:14:27 pm

My grandparents lived behind me at 401 5th street George Martinac he was the original owner of 403 the little bar next to their house. He worked at a meat factory in earlier years and I believe was a cop also. Ljboslav and Magdalena came over, as well as jankovich , either their siblings or children were Joseph “joe”Martinac ,Rosemarie. Then my greats George Michael sr and Anna Dummovich-Martinac had my grandpa George Michael jr and his brother Donald Eugene Martinac”butch” my dad is Jay,his brother and sisters are John ,Bernadette ,Jenny, Then by marriage we have Vrbanics, Uncle James use to be married to Kathy and uncle John was lawyer

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Christine Allen Pitts
12/5/2017 10:01:54 am

My grandparents(Paul & Katie Wolf) lived at 418 5th street. I think my grandfather Paul Wolf went to that bar. He loved his beer! I would love a picture of the homes on that street. Any ideas?? Thank you, Christine Allen Pitts

Kurt hammett
12/3/2015 01:54:22 pm

Saw the comments posted from Steve Stoner. Hey there! Yes i have many treasured memories of 517-520 Sandusky. Loved going to my aunt Louise's and Aunties house. My grandma Mary Louise would call Louise "drag" i think that was a nickname perhaps. I work at Krizmans Sausage now and been there for 6 years. Great memories! Dober Dan and Laku Noc'

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Ron Krmpotich
12/3/2015 02:32:18 pm

Very nice read about the Hill. I was surprised that more of Monsignor Krmpotic wasn't mentioned. He was one of the original people who built St. John's church and nursery and surrounding grounds. I am very proud to say that he was my great great uncle. We visited Strawberry Hill a few years ago , and was very impressed.

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Theresa Kovac McKinzie Hendrix
12/3/2015 07:43:19 pm

St. John's was such an important part of life. My Grandma Antonia Stimac Kovac and Grandpa Steven Kovac lived at 507 Thompson as did my Mom, Dad and Sister , Emma McKinize, Robert McKinzie and Shirley McKinzie. We moved to 1038 Splitlog when I was born. K-8th grade and Sister Claudia was my 8th grade teacher and school principal. I walked down Thompson to my Grandma's house every day after school. Her sister Anna lived down the street from her. We had relatives that lived on Strawberry Hill all of their lives. I left in 1970 and visited every year, but still remain in California. Strawberry Hill will always hold a very special place in my heart.

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Mary Pat Thomas
12/4/2015 06:29:28 am

Hello Theresa - thank you for your response to my query regarding Sister Claudia and St. John's Church. I love the history that is there and to have family members who have been a part of that historic place truly warms my heart. We use to visit Sister Claudia often when she was there and so memories come flooding back whenever I go do Kansas City. The name Stimac sounds so familiar to me and I know the Thomas family mentioned them often over the years. God bless you and yours, and again, thanks for your response. - Mary Pat Thomas

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Anita Roschitz Smith
12/3/2015 08:33:16 pm

Great trip down memory lane! I grew up at 5th and Barnett. Enjoyed getting treats at Bruson's after school!

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James Yankoviz
8/9/2016 10:13:17 pm

Anita -- I had you in mind from the very start of reading this Strawberry Hill article. And as I read through the posts I wondered if I'd see your name. And then... There you are! Special memories of visiting you and Monica at 5th and Barnett. Even had a go at playing your tamburitza! So THAT'S the group you played in! (?) I adored your mom and dad...they were so good to me. I miss those surprise visits to Strawberry Hill...and I miss YOU. Hope all is blessed. Tell Monica hello for me. W/LOVE to you both.

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Agnes (Chop) Pavicic
12/4/2015 09:27:24 am

I enjoyed this article very much. I have always felt that St. John's is my home, my roots and will always treasure the memories. I just celebrated my 90th birthday and have a great deal of memories.

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Mary Pat Thomas
12/4/2015 09:53:48 pm

A belated Happy Birthday to you Mrs. Pavicic. Do you remember Sister Claudia? - Mary Pat Thomas

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Steve mufich
1/20/2017 07:45:31 pm

Hello godmother Agnes, I hope you are doing well,I rember the geat times we spent together when I was a child.

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Ginevra Shaw
4/12/2017 07:12:05 am

Hi Steve,
Are you related to any of the following:
Frances Mufich, Mike Mufich, Fran Mufich, August Mufich?
Best
Ginevra

Diane Markley
12/10/2015 11:09:16 am

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Mark Curtis
7/30/2016 09:21:31 am

I'am glad I had grand parents that lived on the Hill I was part of the Roper clan My mom Bernice Roper and 7 other brothers and sisters lived over their I remember the the food Pitko's house of sausage blood sausage polish sausage Q39 BBQ has the same polish sausage we all grew upon so good with out that past I would not of had such a good future curtismark72@yahoo.com

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Theresa Kovac McKinzie Hendrix
8/9/2016 10:25:58 pm

My Mom, sister and I all graduated from St. John's and my sister and I went to Bishop Ward. My Grandma Antonia Stimac Kovac and Grandpa Steve Kovac lived at 507 Thompson. Emma Kovac McKinzie was my mom. I love the Hill and all of the experiences and memories. I belong tot he Croatian Community here in Citrus Heights, ca. I raised my kids to proud of their heritage.

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Chad Martinac
10/18/2016 08:40:58 pm

Hey all my Beautiful Croatians! So happy to be back where I came from in the 80's haha. My dads Jay Martinac his brother Jon, sisters, Jennifer,Bernedette, grandpa George or Sonny" Butch Martinac. I'm at 406 Thompson w the big Croatian Flag. Email me maryinac_chad at yaoo com or stop by . I'd love to meet everyone and some people my age 20's 30's... daytime always home see ya soon!!

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Patricia Nikolic
1/15/2018 01:57:21 pm

Love that you're so proud of your heritage & flying the flag. I'm first generation Croatian in Australia & we try to continue as many traditions as possible for future generations too.

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Will Baska
8/7/2019 10:19:21 am

I believe you lived in my families old house. The Wolfs. Anyway you would live right a cross the street from a relative of mine Mary Ann Trzok.

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Chad Martinac
11/30/2019 12:20:43 am

Yes I know Mary well. When I painted the window trim and added nice door trim and paint the door red. She said she'd never seen it look so wonderful because my wife and I were so excited. My great grandparents lived right behind there was a grey gate I wanted so bad for home decor and keepsake. Mexican family live there now. Yes garage had wolf painted. We got sick from the new owner matlack never having a license or safety inspection and we are still sick. We desperately want to find somewhere on Thompson again or close for 800 or less. It's urgent as our lease is up. I was hurt by an assailent this year it's very bad. Please if you have any connections give me a call ASAP at (816)534-3110 they covered up our red door w a storm door and tore off beautiful trim.

Kristijan Krkac
10/23/2016 02:08:28 am

My name is Kristijan Krkac. I have a short critical text concerning the forthcoming local elections in Croatia, and I am trying to explain why is a person who has at least partly a cultural identity of Zagreb more suitable for a Zagreb Mayor, then a person who has not. Partly because it is funny, bat partly seriously, I am asking this in form of question - Why is a person from other part of Croatia more suitable for a Zagreb Mayor, then the Kajkavian from Kansas City? Is anybody interested to translate this in English (Kansas dialect) or in Kajkavian as it is spoken in Kansas City? (If necessary I can translate Croatian text into English to make it easier to translate.) Thanks.

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Kristijan Krkac
10/23/2016 11:03:55 am

http://hrvatska-danas.com/2016/10/23/zakaj-je-ne-kajkavac-s-bandica-briga-prihvatljiviji-za-gradonacelnika-od-kanzaskog-kajkavca-sa-strawberry-hilla/

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Chad Martinac
11/17/2016 10:13:12 pm

I'm not sure what you mean by this? Email me at martinac_chad@yahoo.com

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Patricia Nikolic
1/15/2018 02:45:01 pm

Interesting question.I have only just found this link and i will go and read it.

Jas sam prve generacije Hrvatica u Australiji. Po mojem misljenju.... dobro je nekad da se malo umisaju Hrvati iz diaspore u Hrvatske unutrasnje poslove. Hrvati iz diaspore su imali sasvim drugi zivot, pa imaju ideje i mislnje drugacije, a i vide neke probleme sa 'novim ocima'. Hrvati iz diaspore nisu nikad zaboravili Hrvatsku. Od dana kad su ostavili i li pobjegli, uvjek su se bavli za slobodu Hrvatske. Uvjek su imali, i njihova dijeca imaju, Hrvatsku u Srcu.

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G.R. Small
12/16/2016 05:00:08 pm

Back in the 1950’s (while I was still at K.U.), a fellow music student -- the choir director of a small church on Strawberry Hill -- asked me if I could sing a “high C” (a fairly high note for a soprano). I told him I could, and he asked me if I would sing a special piece of music with his church choir in Kansas City, Kansas. I learned the piece, and when the time came, he drove me to Kansas City and “put me up” with a member of his church on Friday evening (the first rehearsal). I stayed there for Saturday (another rehearsal), Saturday night, and, of course, Sunday morning (the performance at the church). The widow lady at whose house I stayed lived in a modest house on a main street in the Strawberry Hill area, and her “front room” was devoted to a small business; a delicatessen. I will always remember her and her house because she was so kind to me. She insisted constantly that I EAT. “Eat, eat, eat,” she urged me, pressing plates of delicious food on me, even though I wasn’t hungry. She also gave me HER OWN bedroom, I’m pretty sure. It was late in the spring and the weather was already a bit uncomfortably warm, and that bedroom had a window air-conditioning unit the size of a Volkswagen. It was ICY in that room (and not the best thing for my throat, considering I was going to be singing a difficult piece), but I’m sure she gave me the very best she had. The rehearsals went well and on Saturday night, the choir director escorted me, as a treat, to a dance in the recreation room of one of the churches of Strawberry Hill. A small band in native Croatian costumes played polkas and waltzes from the “old country,” and everyone (including me) had a wonderful time, dancing (and having the occasional plate of Croatian sausages and glass of cold beer). Most countries (except for the United States) have an “official” religion and most of Southern Europe (including Croatia) is Catholic, so the church where the dance was held was virtually certain to have been Catholic (although the church where I sang was not).
Looking back, I think that guy (the choir director) was likely a bit sweet on me – although I didn’t see it at the time. He was Croatian and when he made a trip to Europe, actually went (by train) to visit his relatives in Croatia. This was a BIG DEAL (visiting a Communist country) in those days. His relatives were quite overcome by the honor and all appeared at the rail station of their tiny village to meet his train, wearing their native costumes, to welcome their boy from “Amerika.” I recall I thought that was terribly BRAVE of him at the time, considering that the country was Communist. I later took that quite calmly, especially after living in Berlin, which was divided between the West and the Communists!

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Patricia Nikolic
1/15/2018 02:34:52 pm

Loved your story! and yes i think he was a bit sweet on you ;) It was scary travelling to Yugoslavia back in the day. My parents sent me over in 1979 when i was 12 yrs old. I would write to my parents about my holiday and relatives informed that i'd have to send my mail unsealed as letters were checked for content. As i could read, write and speak both Croatian and English, i was viewed as a spy. It was horrible!! but certainly a beautiful country.

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jason
12/29/2016 09:31:59 pm

Does anyone have any information on the Plese family, theodore, mary, or Patricia? They lived at 521Tauromee.

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Ginevra Shaw
4/12/2017 07:13:20 am

Looking for Mufich family as well as Jeselnik family.

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Will Baska
8/7/2019 10:15:34 am

Those are specifically Slovenians in the area. I have Mufich's in my tree from Osilnica, Slovenia.

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Chad Martinac
8/7/2019 07:00:59 pm

Will my house that we moved out of for black mold is 406 Thompson I painted the front door red and painted 406 using stencil and also put new trim and painted the trim around windoiws and fancy door trim.
Michael Baska was my best man at our wedding in the city market on 2/14/2011
Are u related? His loft was nextdoor to John's upper deck back then. We lived in lofts down in the market. The wolf's old house I believe is where we moved into. My grandparents George Martinac Jr.(Sonny) and wife Carol Foley an Irish woman which was a no no so great-grandfather Geaorge Sr lived in 405 5th St when it was new his wife was Anna Dumovich-Martinac . Both Sr and Jr owner the original 403 Club now owned by Artie. Have Michael call me 81- six
Five 34
311zero

Will Baska
8/7/2019 08:19:43 pm

We heard about the black mold. My cousins were the Wolf's at 406 Thompson about 6-7 years ago. They are also Croatians and they moved not to far to Ohio St. Michael Baska may be a second cousin there are bunch I don't know of. My family immigrated from Slovenia to 410 Thompson which is right the street. Now my grandmothers cousin still lives there today.

Melissa
4/21/2017 11:29:11 am

My grandmother was Mary Yadrich, she lived on 4th and Barnett Ave right across from the church. If you have ever spent any time at St John's you would know her. She made it her business to know everyone. I was fortunate to be able to spend the summers with her. I met a lot of really great Croatian people that I will never forget. Many, many great memories on strawberry hill!!

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theresa hendrix
7/22/2018 07:17:29 am

Annie Yadrich was in my class at St. John's and she had a sister named Monica.

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Harry Jacobs
12/18/2017 01:53:13 pm

I loved the children's home as i former resident from the 1980s the staff ellen, cindy, linda hated Pat logan she was a supervisor not a nice person
Tim, Ron,Robert Russ
Cant remember the two soical workers who also work there
I hated Jane bowls the activity director i glad stepaine was her replacement
Sister linda and sister teresa were great
Some of residents i remember
To bad we all scattered to wind never had a reunion before they closed
I wish they would turned it into a temporary homeless shelter but i visted the museum before i graduated nursing school what memories

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Tricia Verbeck
7/29/2018 09:19:22 pm

You mentioned you live at the children’s home in the 80’s. Do you recall the haunted house that they would do in the basement. I remember going through it one or two years.

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Patricia Nikolic
1/15/2018 02:31:45 pm

Greetings from Australia!! It's so good to read people's memories and i love that people are keeping Croatian traditions alive. I'm a first generation Croatian born in Australia. I only just found out about the Strawberry Hills Croatian community as i was researching my great uncle who 'escaped' in WW1 what was going to become Yugoslavia. He was smart enough to see that things wouldn't go down well and he stole the money his parents had received for selling some cattle. He used this money to sail to America and then he repaid them the stolen money form his first paid work. I'm not sure of his movements, but in the very early 1920's he married a Croatian lady and they had one son, who sadly died in WW2. I'm now trying, via Ancestry, to piece together some information. Not sure why as there's no family there now, but i wish i had known them. My great uncle was Ferda Nikolic and i do have one photo where his address shows 409 N. Montgall Ave, Kansas City. He also owned a bar and in the photo background there's a framed certificate and says Union Bar. I'm also trying to trace where his son is buried or might even be missing in action. We always believed the son's name to be John Nikolic.
Now that i know of Strawberry Hills, i can see why my great uncle lived there as there would have been quite a few established Croatians there by 1920. Certainly a place i'd visit if ever i travelled to America.

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Christine Allen Pitts
2/7/2018 10:25:20 am

Any pictures of homes on 5th Street? Looking for pictures around 1955 or 1956. Thank You, Christine Allen

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Donna Rector
3/31/2018 08:44:48 am

My father, Thomas Spehar Jr. was born and raised in the Strawberry Hill area. His parent's were Thomas and Paulina(Stampfel) Spehar. My grandfather came from Cerovnik Croatia and my grandmother came from Grintovec Slovenia. Both my father and mother and grandparents were married at St.John the Baptist Catholic Church. I enjoy reading all the stories on this page.

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Christine Allen Pitts
3/31/2018 08:59:47 am

Looking for old pictures of Strawberry Hill before they razed the homes for I-70. My grandparents lived in one of those homes....218 N 5th. Need your help! Thank you, Christine Allen Pitts

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C Allen
6/3/2018 08:42:00 am

Looking for photos or list of the old original Tamburitzan band members from Strawberry Hill . Either my grandfather John Soptic (Mary) or my great-grandfather was a member.

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Kathleen Overcash Favrow
6/3/2018 09:07:55 am

C Allen - Would like to talk with you re: Soptic family connections.
Please email me KFavrow@aol.com.

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Kathleen Favrow
6/3/2018 05:31:44 pm

I accidentally unsubscribed. Please re-subscribe me. Thanks.

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TaraDene Creek
7/6/2018 10:07:28 am

I absolutely loved reading this article and all of the comments. The article was beautifully written and very informative. I am an amateur genealogist and have spent a great deal of time tracing my Croatian family through Strawberry Hill and Croatia. My GGgrandparents immigrated here in the early 1900’s and lived out their lives on Strawberry Hill. Their names were Joseph Sturlic (1893-1974) and Mary (Bosilevac) Sturlic (1895-1925). Before Mary’s tragic passing, they had four daughters: Agnes, Mary, Ann and Katherine. All four girls went to live at the orphanage while their father adjusted to life without Mary (which was a common practice at the time). I know a great deal about Joseph but very little is known about Mary. I do know that she is possibly related to the following family names: Tomasic, Carr and Macan. If anyone has any information and would like to connect, please email me: janeway6255@icloud.com. I have lots of pictures that I could pass along.

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Nancy Boyer
5/2/2019 03:01:13 pm

I am doing research on Nicholas Sachen (1859-1919) and wife Katrina Bosiljevac (1865-1937). They lived in the Strawberry Hill area (I believe)
She was from Ribnik, Karlovac County, Croatia, as was Nicholas. Does the town Riblik mean anything to you?
I am still researching her name, I think (haven't proven yet) that she had a brother John b.1871 wife Annie. They lived in Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., KS also
Thanks for any help
Nancy
nrcboyer@sbcglobal.net

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Will Baska
8/7/2019 10:12:56 am

I am actively researching the entire area of Eastern European/Slavic immigrants to Kansas City, Kansas. There were about 3 places mass influxes of Croatian Immigrants came from. One of them was Ribnik in the 1890's and early 1900s mainly. It was specifically the small village of Lipnik.

Chad Martinac
11/30/2019 12:33:05 am

Would you try all the info on my family my dad is Jay Anthony Martinac, brother John Michael,sister's Bernny and Jennifer. George Michael Martinac JR or (Sonny) was married to Carol Foley. His brother Donald E Martinac (Butch) their parents were George Michael Sr and Anna Dumovich (grandma cookie) our first family arrived in 1895

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Lacey
7/22/2018 06:01:47 am

My family tells a story of my great-grandparents meeting on the ship on the way to the United States. They fell in love and agreed to meet back up at Strawberry Hill. my great-grandfather came in the country through Canada and my great-grandmother through more legal means. They married in Kansas City and changed their name to Clemens from Klemenski [ not certain of spelling]. Someday I plan to visit Strawberry Hill and the museum.

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Rick Krizman
9/12/2018 09:19:17 am

Great to see this article and to have had the good fortune to visit the museum. My grandfather was Joe Krizman (Krizmanic), who left Lucovdol, Jugoslavia, in 1914 and ended up meatpacking in KC. He married Mary Lacy (Lesac) and they moved off the Hill to 21st st. He and his brother-inlaw Matt Grisnik (married to Josephine Lacy, my grandma's sister) founded their own meat market and grocery store, Grisnik's, in 1939, on 6th. It's still there, run by Joe Krizman III, and is called Krizman's Sausage. I remember warm times in the 1950s playing in my Aunt Josephine's backyard, behind her shotgun house on Ann.

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Julia (Lauderdale) Yates
11/29/2019 09:36:55 pm

When my father came back from WWII, my parents eventually settled intot an apartment in one of the homes on Strawberry Hill that was later torn down for I-70. My mother was a Bednar (1 of 8 kids) and she went to Bishop Ward HS. My older sister Barbara went to day care at St John's during day while parents worked. We moved to Shawnee, KS in 1956. Some of my Aunts helped make Povatica for Bernices and we have always loved Krizman/Grisnik's smoked Polish Sausage. I imagine all my cousins still buy from House of Sausage and my daughters are driving to 6th St now also. I remember my Uncle Tony Spiewak would make blood sausage but I never would try it when I was a kid. Your family is an important part of our family traditions as far back as I can remember. Best Wishes to your family

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Mary Sullivan
9/25/2018 02:17:23 pm

This has been wonderful to look at. I grew up on Thompson and went to St Johns school I played in the Tamburiztans and am in the photo above as are all my cousins and best friends. My mom was Ann Cindrich who married Bob Sullivan. Grandma and Grandpa lived next door to the Del Persios on Armstrong in the big White House. Yes I remember the chickens!!! I plan on moving back soon and restoring the house on Armstrong. My sweet mother has passed but my father is still with me. He is coming back too. I look forward to getting involved in this neighborhood and parish again. There are some things I think I have that the museum just might want. My mom kept everything from her youth and mine. This is the best chain I have ever spent time reading.

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Chad&Holly Martinac
8/7/2019 07:18:08 pm

Mary Sullivan I believe lived across from us at 406 Thompson till 2017
Dan Sigich lives three houses down. He's Slovenian and wife is non English speaking Chinese lol great mix

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Will Baska
8/8/2019 04:31:44 pm

There are still many Croats and Slovene's down on the Hill.

Will Baska
8/7/2019 10:31:44 am

I am only currently in high school but I did live on the hill for 5 years at 317 Orchard. I also have roots in the Hill as I have gotten extremely into genealogy. My grandmother was a Stampfel and grew up at 627 Tenny, her father was Joseph Stampfel and grew up at 405 Thompson to Joseph Sr and Helena Zagar. They all went to Holy Family. My grandfather was from Polish Hill with the last name Baska. My roots on the hill are Slovenian, but Croats and Slovenians from the Upper Kolpa River Valley (Osilnica, Gerovo, Cabar, Loski Potok, Turke etc.) are virtually their own ethnic group with years of mixing of Croats, Slovene's, and even historic German influence.

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Patricia (Nikolic) Grbac
1/3/2022 09:40:28 pm

Hi Will, just wanted to say that it's so good to see you are into the genealogy. Our past family/ancestors may be gone, but we are a part of them and they shouldn't be forgotten, also the traditions. Good luck.

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Helen Ann Caples
9/14/2022 06:06:57 pm

Please email me. My grandfather was pete stampfel. Helen Ann Caples

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Kathleen Overcash Favrow
11/30/2019 06:19:13 am

I visited Croatia this year and the home area of the Car and Soptich families. Together with David Munjak I have photos of the cemetery that I posted on the FindaGrave site.

See 223 memorials from Crkva Sv. Ilije Proroka (Church of St. Elijah the Prophet) at Lipnik, Opcina Ribnik, Karlovacka, Croatia on findagrave.com.

Please let me know if you find your relatives buried there!

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Pat Graham
2/10/2020 02:44:20 pm

Wow! Thanks, Mike for this tour. Now Kansas City, KS is on my list of destinations. I must see the orange crate altarpiece up close. Elaine - next trip?

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Tara Dene Creek
6/6/2020 05:07:44 am

Resubscribing

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Laura Stahl
11/5/2020 05:48:11 am

I loved reading this. My grandmother, her family, and of course my mother grew up here on Pacific and I visited every summer as a little girl. Their last name was Cornelison. And I would guess if you lived here back then, you might know who they were or know their friends. My dad grew up a few streets over, I can't remember what street but I dont think it was part of Strawberry Hill. His last name was Stahl. Since both my parents are gone and most of my family in Kansas is gone, I dont have much reason to go visit anymore, but I will never forget the days I spent in this neighborhood when I would visit, wishing I grew up there. I loved reading your history of this place. I have to come visit the museum.

Laura Stahl-Wheeler

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Steven Mildred link
1/2/2021 05:13:16 am

Innteresting read

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ANNA ZAGAR
11/8/2021 01:48:13 pm

DOES ANY REMEMBER FRANK AND ANNA ZAGAR ON THOMPSON 430 436 DAUGHTER KATHERINE

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Kelly Roccaro
3/13/2022 02:36:35 pm

Hello friends. My great grandfather Valentine Limpic lived with his family at 435 Ann Ave. His parents were George and Rosa. His siblings were Louise, Louis, Mary, John, Ann & Helen. The younger siblings stayed in the orphanage after Rosa died

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Robert F Gergich
7/29/2022 03:18:26 pm

This is kinda funny: my dad was Peter Gergich he was the KC Star paper man for 40 yras on the hill, my brother Peter M. Gergich was the
Metropolitan Insurance man. I threw papers to probably every one on here parents and grand parents and great grandparents, all thru war2
I carried that paper,I knew the Del Persious I lived across the street
from St. Mary,s church went to holy family school, kinda funny I found this website by accident.

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    Hi, I'm Alex! I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting travel experiences, and am happy to share them with you here! 
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