Red Hill Borough
Red Hill was originally a part of Upper Hanover Township. During a period when villages usually sprang up at a crossroads, this village , once known as Hillegassville, spread itself along the present Main Street. The roadway was planned in 1735 as the "Great Road leading into Philadelphia" with the assumption that it was laid out over an indian trail and quite straight. In 1851, the Green Lane and Goshenhoppen Turnpike Company was formed to raise funds by the sale of stock and the collection of tolls so improvements could be made.
The incorporation of the Red Hill Borough took place on November 13, 1902. The population was approximately 350 at that time. Like many other emerging communities, the borough had a railroad station (known as Hanover in 1875), the village hotel, and a public school. Cigar making was a major industry then. The geographical draft accompanying the petition for incorporation listed the area of Red Hill as 427 acres and 34 perches and showed about 93 buildings. The first election of borough officers took place on December 2, 1902 at the public house of Jesse Z. Hillegass which was located on the southwest corner of Sixth and Main Streets.
Elected to represent the borough in 1902 were Councilmen Jesse Z. Hillegass, Milton Hillegass, William Hillegass, William H. Kern, Allen G. Kline, John M. Pflieger, and Howard Willtraut. Kern was elected President of the Borough Council. John P. Kline was elected Secretary amd John Reiter was named Treasurer. Also elected were John Bitting as High Constable, Constable and Tax Collector, W. Butterick as Assessor, and Oswin Reiter amd Oswin K. Brey as Auditors. Local cigar manufacturer, Lucian Miller was elected as First Burgess.
Brothers, John and Allen Kline, Miller, and Reiter were among the founding fathers. Assuming leadership positions in the new borough, they took on the responsibilities of laying out the town and administering its public affairs after its organization as a municipality. Engaged in business enterprises that furnished a means of livelihood for a majority of the residents, they also parlayed their substance and influence to help the new borough grow. In addition to providing employment, they were involved in building and financing homes there. They sacrificed profit for the town's future as many homes were built at cost to entice new residents to move in. By 1920, the population nearly doubled to a total of 664. In 1950, the count had only increased to 914. The year 1960 saw an increase to 1,086 and by 1980there were 1,787 residents. Today, over 2,000 people call Red Hill their home.
Red Hill can lay claim to a native son who was elected to Montgomery County's highest post. Local insurance man, Forrest Henry, was elected to a four-year term at the County Seat in 1956. One year before that, he was appointed by then Governor George Leader to the post of Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the Commonwealth.
Many borough services began in the ten years after inc
The incorporation of the Red Hill Borough took place on November 13, 1902. The population was approximately 350 at that time. Like many other emerging communities, the borough had a railroad station (known as Hanover in 1875), the village hotel, and a public school. Cigar making was a major industry then. The geographical draft accompanying the petition for incorporation listed the area of Red Hill as 427 acres and 34 perches and showed about 93 buildings. The first election of borough officers took place on December 2, 1902 at the public house of Jesse Z. Hillegass which was located on the southwest corner of Sixth and Main Streets.
Elected to represent the borough in 1902 were Councilmen Jesse Z. Hillegass, Milton Hillegass, William Hillegass, William H. Kern, Allen G. Kline, John M. Pflieger, and Howard Willtraut. Kern was elected President of the Borough Council. John P. Kline was elected Secretary amd John Reiter was named Treasurer. Also elected were John Bitting as High Constable, Constable and Tax Collector, W. Butterick as Assessor, and Oswin Reiter amd Oswin K. Brey as Auditors. Local cigar manufacturer, Lucian Miller was elected as First Burgess.
Brothers, John and Allen Kline, Miller, and Reiter were among the founding fathers. Assuming leadership positions in the new borough, they took on the responsibilities of laying out the town and administering its public affairs after its organization as a municipality. Engaged in business enterprises that furnished a means of livelihood for a majority of the residents, they also parlayed their substance and influence to help the new borough grow. In addition to providing employment, they were involved in building and financing homes there. They sacrificed profit for the town's future as many homes were built at cost to entice new residents to move in. By 1920, the population nearly doubled to a total of 664. In 1950, the count had only increased to 914. The year 1960 saw an increase to 1,086 and by 1980there were 1,787 residents. Today, over 2,000 people call Red Hill their home.
Red Hill can lay claim to a native son who was elected to Montgomery County's highest post. Local insurance man, Forrest Henry, was elected to a four-year term at the County Seat in 1956. One year before that, he was appointed by then Governor George Leader to the post of Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the Commonwealth.
Many borough services began in the ten years after inc
Listing Details
Telephone
215-679-2040
Fax
215-679-0527
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