unlike in other favelas, the settlement of this hill started from the top, and worked its way down.  the great majority of the residents of chapéu mangueira have lived in the community for over 20 years, and profess a deep connection and love for it.

the settlement originated in 1908 with brazilian immigrant miners from ceará, pernambuco, and rio de janeiro.  in addition the community grew due to soldiers that were serving nearby on the morro do leme, and built shelters to use overnight, as they did in the nearby morro da babilônia . 

later, workers from the construction of the tunnel connecting copacabana to botafogo also settled on the hill.