Introduction
Country Club Hills, a vibrant city in Illinois, is a testament to the enduring spirit of community and volunteerism. Established in 1955 by local developer J.E. Merrion, the city has grown from its humble beginnings into a thriving community. This history traces the journey of Country Club Hills from its early days as “Cooper’s Grove” to the present day.

Early Settlement and Development
Originally known as “Cooper’s Grove,” the area that would become Country Club Hills was first settled by German farmers in the 1800s. These early settlers established a close-knit community, with their children attending a one-room schoolhouse located at what is now the southeast corner of 183rd and Cicero.

In 1872, the settlers founded St. John’s Lutheran Church and School. According to a book prepared by the Country Club Hills Bicentennial Commission of the American Revolution in 1976, “Stone blocks for the building (church) were hauled from the Joliet quarry by teams of 24 mules on a trip lasting several days. The blocks were moved by log rollers as they were too heavy for any wheeled vehicle. The entire building was raised by hand with only the use of ropes and pulleys.” The church was completed in 1873 and remains a cornerstone of the community.

Incorporation and Growth
In 1955, J.E. Merrion’s vision of spacious, affordable middle-income homes with a country-like atmosphere began to take shape. New families were drawn to the area by large, half-acre lots, award-winning home styles, and sprawling streets. By 1956, about 117 homes were completed, and the residents formed the Country Club Hills Homeowners Association, pushing for incorporation. On July 12, 1958, the citizens voted to incorporate as a city with a Mayor-Aldermanic Council type of government.

The first election in August 1958 set the stage for a flurry of activity. Newly elected officials, who received $1.00 per year, spent evenings drafting ordinances to establish a functional city government. These meetings often lasted until two o’clock in the morning, following their regular day jobs and family time.

The first City Hall was a 131-year-old farmhouse at 177th and Crawford. The city installed indoor plumbing, remodeled the interior, and leased the four-acre farm, complete with an apple orchard, for $1.00 per year. By April 1972, a new municipal complex was dedicated on 175th Place, now the site of the Police Department.

Community Spirit and Volunteerism
The first Police Department operated from one room in the converted farmhouse City Hall and later moved to an abandoned garage on the same property. During the first three years, patrolmen worked without pay, supplying their own uniforms and guns.

Commercial development began in 1961 with a Marathon gas station at Flossmoor Road and Cicero Avenue. By 1963, Garofalo’s Family Foods, the city’s first grocery store, opened at 183rd and Pulaski, the current site of Home Furniture. O’Brien & Flynn, the first pharmacy, soon followed. In 1964, the Civic Center, the first tax-supported building, was dedicated at 187th and Baker.

The Enduring Spirit of Country Club Hills
The spirit of compassion and volunteerism, which characterized the early years of Country Club Hills, continues to thrive today. Residents have always been willing to donate their time and talents to build a city they can be proud of. From constructing a community church to building a Civic Center and Library, neighbors have consistently come together to support one another.

As described in “From Coopers Grove to Country Club Hills,” the city was built on a foundation of community collaboration and support: “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.”

Conclusion
Over 50 years later, the legacy of the early settlers and community leaders lives on. Country Club Hills has evolved into a city marked by its strong sense of community, volunteerism, and compassion. This enduring spirit continues to shape the city, making it a place where people come together to support and uplift one another.