Welcome to the City of Country Club Hills!

Celebrating 50 Years Together

Country Club Hills began in 1955 when local developer J. E. Merrion fulfilled his vision of spacious, affordable, middle income homes with a country-like atmosphere.

This area, originally known as “Cooper’s Grove”, had been occupied by German farmers, who settled on the land in the 1800’s. Their children went to a one room school house, located at the south east corner of what is now 183rd and Cicero.

The first election was held in August of 1958. The newly elected officials had much to do. Evenings were spent drafting up ordinances to start a working City Government that could start receiving the tax monies that the budding City needed to grow and flourish. It was not unusual for these officials, who received $1.00 per year, to have a special meeting every evening that lasted until two o’clock in the morning. This was, of course, after they had spent the day at their regular jobs and a brief time at home with their families.

The first City Hall was a 131 year old farm house located at 177th and Crawford. The City installed indoor plumbing, remodeled the interior, and leased the four acre farm, complete with apple orchard, for $1.00 per year.

Country Club Hills has become what it is today because of the willingness of its residents to donate their time and talents to the building of a city of which they can be proud.

People working together to build a church, regardless of faith; a community working to build a Civic Center and Library; neighbors helping out when a family comes into some hard times; people responding to a community appeal for blood to meet the needs of a young hemophiliac; this is the spirit upon which Country Club Hills was created.

Fifty years later, this spirit of compassion and volunteerism continues to exist.