Hillside's History

Historic Mainstreet   "Hillside's "Modern Era" began in 1925. 1928 saw the paving of Butterfield Road (shown above) and the building of the Hillside Bank."

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Historical Commission is to identify and when appropriate preserve historical sites of the area, to contribute to the documented history of Hillside and to promote an understanding of the history as we know it today.

Historical Overview

Hillside has been known as the town of Proviso, taken after the name of Proviso Township, of which it is a part.

1833
Frank Covell, purchased land to build Hillside's first home. Today this land is known as the landfill along Mannheim Road.

1837
Philip Bohlander settled along St. Charles Road and Taft Avenue.

1842
George Darmstadt established his farm near Taft Avenue.

1862
Germans established Hillside's first church, Immanuel Luthern Congregation.

1894
Mt. Carmel Cemetery formed.

1899
Oak Ridge Cemetery opened, Glen Oak and Queen of Heaven followed.

1905
Hillside became its own municipality, with its incorporation on December 6. John Wolf was the first President of the Village.

1919
Dedication of its first village hall, built on the site of today's Village Hall.

1916
Catholic families begin to organize. Mt. Carmel Cemetery was secured for a church, later moved to what is now St. Domitilla Parish.

1925
Street lights were erected.

1928
Paving of Butterfield Road and the building of the Hillside Bank.

Current
Fact-finding on oldest existing home on Wolf Road.