Hillsboro A Town of Industry and Innovation

Hillsboro A Town of Industry and Innovation. . , Hillsboro was founded in 1823. Abundant natural resources shaped its economic landscape, such as the eight-foot vein of coal underlying the town. Coal from Hillsboro and nearby Taylor Springs and Kortkamp was primarily used locally rather than shipped out. Coal fueled two of the world's largest zinc oxide manufacturing plants, located here. Nearby Schram City gained fame for its glass factory, which produced jars and bottles. This diversification in manufacturing provided a wide range of employment opportunities, insulating Hillsboro from much of the labor unrest that afflicted other coal towns in the Central Illinois region. Hillsboro thrived. Hillsboro residents fostered local arts, cultivated a vibrant cultural scene, and invested heavily in education and public services such as parks and a superb library. The Illinois Traction System Electric Railway provided transportation from Hillsboro to St. Louis, Peoria, Champaign, and dozens of towns in between. Hillsboro's prosperity also was manifested in fine homes, impressive civic buildings, and a notable opera house. They are visible today. In 2023, the Smithsonian Institution recognized Hillsboro's historically significant contributions to industrial innovation by including the city in its Spark! program. Hillsboro's annual Old Settlers' Days celebration is evidence of Hillsboro's enthusiastic embrace of old and new. Hillsboro is committed to preserving its roots, maintaining its strong community values, and deploying its industrious spirit and local heritage for modern progress.