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Coordinates: 30°32′43″N 87°45′02″W / 30.545264°N 87.750517°W / 30.545264; -87.750517
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'''Silverhill''' is a town in [[Baldwin County, Alabama|Baldwin County]], [[Alabama]], [[United States]]. At the 2000 census the population was 616.
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Silverhill, Alabama
|settlement_type = [[Town]]
|image_skyline =
|imagesize =
|image_caption =
|image_seal =
|image_map = File:Baldwin County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Silverhill Highlighted 0170536.svg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location of Silverhill in Baldwin County, Alabama.
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_name1 = [[Alabama]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Baldwin County, Alabama|Baldwin]]
|government_type =
|leader_title =
|leader_name =
|established_date =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 3.26
|area_total_sq_mi = 1.26
|area_land_km2 = 3.25
|area_land_sq_mi = 1.26
|area_water_km2 = 0.01
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
|elevation_ft = 141
|elevation_m = 43
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 768
|population_metro =
|population_density_km2 = 236.15
|population_density_sq_mi = 611.46
|timezone = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset = -6
|coordinates = {{coord|30|32|43|N|87|45|2|W|region:US-AL|display=inline}}
|timezone_DST = CDT
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code = 36576
|area_code = [[Area code 251|251]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 01-70536
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0126858
|footnotes =
|website = {{URL|http://www.silverhillalabama.com/}}
|pop_est_as_of =
|pop_est_footnotes =
|population_est =
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
}}
'''Silverhill''' is a town in [[Baldwin County, Alabama|Baldwin County]], [[Alabama]], United States. As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], the population was 706.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0170536| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212162250/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0170536| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Silverhill town, Alabama| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| accessdate=September 16, 2013}}</ref> It is part of the [[Daphne-Fairhope-Foley metropolitan area]].


== Nearby Towns ==
==Geography==
Silverhill is located in southern Baldwin County at 30°32'42.950" North, 87°45'1.861" West (30.545264, -87.750517),<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> {{convert|3|mi|0}} west of [[Robertsdale, Alabama|Robertsdale]]. [[Alabama State Route 104]] (Silverhill Avenue) runs through the center of the town, connecting Robertsdale to the east with [[Fairhope, Alabama|Fairhope]] to the west.
1. [[Robertsdale, Alabama]]
2. [[Summerdale, Alabama]]
3. [[Loxley, Alabama]]
4. [[Fairhope, Alabama]]
5. [[Foley, Alabama]]
6. [[Daphne, Alabama]]
7. [[Point Clear, Alabama]]
8. [[Elberta, Alabama]]


According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|3.1|km2|order=flip}}, all land.<ref name="Census 2010"/>
==History==
It is said that Silverhill derived its name from a man living on the hill in the vicinity where the village is now located. While the man's name was not Silver, it is said that he did not handle any other money than silver, therefore they called him Silver; hence the village name. However that may be, it is the fact that the name Silverhill appears in the records of the express company as early as 1861, with this notation: "Express office Mobile; Post Office address Daphne." The writer is informed that Silverhill in those days extended from Fish River to Black Water.


==Demographics==
Silverhill, as we know it today, was founded in 1897 by Oscar Johnson, C. O. Carlson and C. A. Valentin, of Chicago, Illinois. It was the intention of the founders to establish a purely Scandinavian colony in Alabama, and, after investigating the Gulf Coast region thoroughly, these gentlemen decided upon the present location of Silverhill, in Baldwin County. Land was acquired by purchase from a Mr. Harford, the first block of land being 1,500 acres, which was added to from time to time as the colonization work progressed.
{{US Census population
|1930= 314
|1940= 270
|1950= 354
|1960= 417
|1970= 552
|1980= 624
|1990= 556
|2000= 616
|2010= 706
|2020= 768
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref><br>2013 Estimate<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013|accessdate=June 3, 2014}}</ref>
}}


As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 616 people, 241 households, and 178 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|517.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 266 housing units at an average density of {{convert|223.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 98.05% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.16% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.65% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], and 1.14% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 24.8% were of [[American ancestry|American]], 14.8% [[German Americans|German]], 10.2% [[Swedish Americans|Swedish]], 9.0% [[English Americans|English]] and 6.4% [[Irish Americans|Irish]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]].
Scandinavian settlers came to Silverhill from virtually every state in the Union and began the development of what is now the Silverhill district. They found the soil responsive and climate ideal, and it soon became known among the Scandinavians throughout the country that Baldwin County in Alabama was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful spots in the country. As a consequence, people readily responded to advertising, and almost every month, from October to May, large parties of home-seekers came to the newly founded colony. It was pioneering, however, in the fullest sense of the word. There was no railroad from Bay Minette to Foley in those days. Whatever was produced had to be hauled to Marlow and then transported by boat to Mobile, or else hauled to Daphne and from there to Mobile by boat. It was, of course, impracticable to load in carlots and ship to northern markets as is now done; consequently, the farmers were depended upon the Mobile market, which at that time was not sufficient to take care of the production. The result was that while the new settlers were delighted with the climate, the productiveness of the soil, the pure water, etc., what they produced brought them no revenue; and most of the settlers, having no capital to rely upon, had to seek work outside of their farms and many were compelled to return to the North to earn a living. Notwithstanding the hardships incidental to pioneer life, however, the colony made progress.


There were 241 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.97.
One of the first things that the colony did, under the leadership of Oscar Johnson, was to provide schools. The public school, in the early years of the colony, was conducted in what is now the office of Oscar Johnson. It continued there until 1904, when the present school building was erected. The site for the school and lumber for the building were provided by the colonization company, and the labor was performed by the settlers themselves; thus, what was then a good school house was provided. The county and the state at that time did not provide sufficient funds to carry on the school more than four or five months in the year. The Scandinavian settlers, most of whom were born in Scandinavia, were not satisfied with so short a term for their children, so they voluntarily agreed to tax themselves per family in order to provide a school term of eight months a year.


In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The colonization company assisted by giving sites and lumber from their sawmill. Soon the colony had grown to such an extent that it was possible to have a minister stationed in the community. The first church established was the Baptist, and after that the so-called Mission church, which is an offspring of the Lutheran Church. Many of the settlers were Lutherans, so it was not long before the Augustana Synod showed its interest in the community by sending missionaries. Services were held in the schoolhouse. In recent years a neat Lutheran Church has been built in Silverhill, with the aid of the colonization company, which donated a site for the church as well as otherwise assisting. A permanent minister has been maintained by the Lutheran congregation for many years past. T--[[User:216.231.162.9|216.231.162.9]] 20:47, 13 May 2006 (UTC)fhere is also an elementary school located in Silverhill called Silverhill Elementary, it is a very good school with very well-educated teachers, and over the summer of 2006 they are adding a 1.5 million dollar building to the school, and are now going to have 6th grade at Silverhill Elementary.


The median income for a household in the town was $42,083, and the median income for a family was $51,964. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $25,938 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $20,723. About 3.8% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
The settlers early realized the possibilities for dairying, and, not being able to get an income sufficient from the growing of what is commonly known as truck crops and fruit crops, they began to acquire dairy cows and to make butter at home, which was sold wherever a market could be obtained in the county. In 1907, Mr. C. O. Carlson, one of the founders of the colony, induced an experienced dairyman named Claus Frisk, of Wisconsin, to come to Silverhill and look over the field. Mr. Frisk found it promising, and during the year moved to Silverhill and built a creamery, which he conducted until 1920, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Frisk shared in the pioneering activities of the community - its successes and disappointments; but he stuck to his undertakings, and through it has added materially to the prosperity of Silverhill, and incidentally his creamery has been the means of dairy development in other sections of the county.


==History==
The Bay Minette and Fort Morgan Railroad was built in 1905,and opened a new era for Silverhill and the entire southern portion of Baldwin County. In 1906 to farmers of Silverhill, and throughout the County, began raising crops such as Irish potatoes and cucumbers on a large scale for shipment to Northern markets. It was not a success from the start. The farmers started out in 1906 with great hope of profit, but when the season was over they were sadly disappointed because the returns they had been promised did not materialize. They got bills for freight ranging from 50 cents to as high as $55 for some farmers. This surely was not encouraging, but they were undaunted and went after it again the following year with somewhat better results; and then year after year, until they learned from experience the necessity for co-operation, which finally brought prosperity. Instead of the farmers seeking employment elsewhere, they devoted their time to their farms, because they found they could not only make a good living but profits besides.
Silverhill was founded in 1897 by Oscar Johnson, C. O. Carlson and C. A. Valentin of [[Chicago]], Illinois. Oscar Johnson was an immigrant from [[Dalarna]], [[Sweden]]. The [[Svea Land Company]] in Chicago, which advertised land for sale in Silverhill, was founded by Oscar Johnson. Land was acquired by purchase from a Mr. Harford, the first block of land being {{convert|1500|acre}}, which was added to from time to time as the colonization work progressed. Scandinavian settlers came to Silverhill from virtually every state in the Union and began the development of what is now the Silverhill district.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alcsilve/silverhillhistory1.html ''Vignettes of Baldwin County'' (Gulf Telephone Company. 1983)]</ref><ref>[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alcsilve/memories.html ''Silverhill'' (Scandinavians in Alabama)]</ref>


In 1902, the local general store, [[People's Supply Company]] opened;<ref name="nrhpdoc">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: People's Supply Company |url={{NRHP url|id=97000096}} |accessdate=October 3, 2023 |publisher=[[National Park Service]]}} With {{NRHP url|id=97000096|photos=y|title=accompanying pictures}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-09-16 |title=Silverhill adds historic walking tour, 'Memory Lane' to annual Heritage Day fest |url=https://www.al.com/pr-community-news/2011/09/silverhill_adds_to_annual_heri.html |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=Al.com |language=en}}</ref> and it served as a major hub for the community until the 1980s.
The colonization project in Silverhill is unique when we compared it with similar undertakings in various parts of the country. It is common for the colonizers (after a community has been settled or the land sold) to leave and let the settlers shift for themselves. The leader of the colonization company in Silverhill, Mr. Oscar Johnson, departed from that policy and remained in Silverhill, participating in the activities of the settlers and sharing the disappointments. He has always been found in the lead and has always considered as of first importance the welfare of the people in the community. It is natural that, in pioneering, all have to do their part, and if we should endeavor to set down what part each and every one has played it would indeed be a long history. We feel that Mr. Johnson has so well represented, in every particular, the aspirations of the settlers that hardly any other need be mentioned. This is particularly true because he has always enjoyed the confidence of his fellowmen, both within and without the community.


The [[Wales West Light Railway]], a replica of a Welsh mountain railway, is located {{convert|5|mi|0}} southwest of town.
In 1905 Mr. and Mrs. Winberg moved to Silverhill from Chicago, Illinois, and Mr. Winberg, being particularly interested in scientific agriculture and co-operation, began in 1906 to interest the people in the former and proceeded to show also the benefits to be derived from co-operative selling and buying. We believe that this has added, in some degree, to the progressive development of agriculture in Baldwin County. In 1910 Mr. Winberg started the Satuma orange development on a commercial scale, and has, since that time, devoted his energies toward the development of that branch of horticulture throughout the Gulf Coast section.


== Education ==
In 1904 Mr. A. A. Norden and family moved to Silverhill from Omaha, Nebraska, and established a hotel, which has ever since been known as the Hotel Norden, and is now, since the death of Mr. Norden, maintained by Mrs. Norden and her daughter, Mrs. Anderson. A hotel, when well conducted, is a most valuable asset to a community, and this particular hotel has been that to the fullest extent, because of the splendid way in which it has been maintained, always with the view of making it pleasant for the guests.
Silverhill is a part of the [[Baldwin County Public Schools]] system. Silverhill has one school, Silverhill Elementary School, which serves grades kindergarten through 6. Silverhill students continue on to Central Baldwin Middle School (7-8) and [[Robertsdale High School]] (9-12), both of which are in [[Robertsdale, Alabama|Robertsdale]].<ref>[http://www.gulftel.com/shillib/history.html ''History of Silverhill School'' (written February 26, 2000 for the Annual Founders' Day Dinner)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711134338/http://www.gulftel.com/shillib/history.html |date=July 11, 2011 }}</ref>


== Gallery ==
One of the early pioneers who added materially to the progress of Silverhill is Theodore A. Johnson, who established the first general store in this part of Baldwin County. In the early days his store did not only serve the people in the community but a wide adjacent territory. He is known as one of the best merchants in his line in the county, and the aid he has extended to the settlers in the community, particularly during the hard years in the early period, cannot be told, because, like Oscar Johnson, he does not mention the good he does.
<gallery>
File:State Bank Silverhill Sept 2012 02.jpg|State Bank
File:Svea Land Company Office Sept 2012 01.jpg|Svea Land Company office
File:People's Supply Company Sept 2012 01.jpg|[[People's Supply Company]]
</gallery>


==See also==
In 1909, thirteen Bohemian families moved to Silverhill, thus starting the nucleus of a Bohemian settlement southwest of Silverhill. This small number has since grown to something like seventy-five families in the Silverhill district, all of whom have proven themselves not only good farmers but splendid citizens and have done their share in the development of the district and aided in the prosperity of the entire community.
*[[Central Baldwin]]


== References ==
The Bohemians are industrious, law-abiding people, and their ambition is to build up the country, to broaden the intelligence of their members by means of instructive lectures and other entertainment, and to lead them to enlightenment. Especially bearing in mind their immigrant countrymen, and seeking to aid them to become upright American citizens, an Instructive and Amusing Club was formed, also a Singing Society, "Bedrich Smetana," with its ladies' branch, "Libuse." They have organized in addition two very popular bands. To accommodate and encourage these social activities, two Community Halls have been built, one in Silverhill and the other in Robertsdale. Two fraternal lodges have been formed, which not only protect the families in case of sickness or death but have done much to foster unity among the members and promote the expansion of the colony. To provide marketing conditions two farmers' associations were formed: The Independent Growers and Shippers Association and the Hub Truckers Association, both of which have been a great service.
{{reflist}}


==External links==
The colonists have settled around Robertsdale, Summerdale and in the Sonora district as well as Silverhill, and are most prosperous, depending entirely upon agricultural and horticultural resources.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090914171145/http://www.baldwinexpress.org/ Baldwin County Express], historical society located near Silverhill


{{Coord|display=title|30.545264|-87.750517}}
In 1926 the village of Silverhill was incorporated, with Oscar Johnson as its mayor. It now has three churches, a school, two general stores, one bank and other businesses. The population within the corporate limits is 300, but the population in the Silverhill district numbers over 400 families, with the town of Silverhill as the community center.


{{Baldwin County, Alabama}}
==Geography==
[[Image:ALMap-doton-Silverhill.PNG|right|Location of Silverhill, Alabama]]
Silverhill is located at 30°32'42.950" North, 87°45'1.861" West (30.545264, -87.750517){{GR|1}}.

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of 3.1 [[km²]] (1.2 [[square mile|mi²]]), all land.

==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 616 people, 241 households, and 178 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 199.9/km² (517.5/mi²). There were 266 housing units at an average density of 86.3/km² (223.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.05% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.16% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.65% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], and 1.14% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 241 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,083, and the median income for a family was $51,964. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $25,938 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $20,723. About 3.8% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

== Education ==
Silverhill is a part of the [[Baldwin County Public Schools]] system.

Silverhill has one school, Silverhill Elementary School, which serves grades kindergarten through 5. Silverhill students continue on to Central Baldwin Middle School (6-8) and Robertsdale High School (9-12), both of which are in [[Robertsdale, Alabama|Robertsdale]].

==External links==
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|30.545264|-87.750517}}


{{authority control}}
[[Category:Towns in Alabama]]
[[Category:Baldwin County, Alabama]]


[[io:Silverhill, Alabama]]
[[Category:Towns in Baldwin County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1897]]
[[Category:Swedish-American culture in Alabama]]

Latest revision as of 06:53, 25 September 2024

Silverhill, Alabama
Town
Location of Silverhill in Baldwin County, Alabama.
Location of Silverhill in Baldwin County, Alabama.
Coordinates: 30°32′43″N 87°45′2″W / 30.54528°N 87.75056°W / 30.54528; -87.75056
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyBaldwin
Area
[1]
 • Total
1.26 sq mi (3.26 km2)
 • Land1.26 sq mi (3.25 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
141 ft (43 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
768
 • Density611.46/sq mi (236.15/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
36576
Area code251
FIPS code01-70536
GNIS feature ID0126858
Websitewww.silverhillalabama.com

Silverhill is a town in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 706.[2] It is part of the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley metropolitan area.

Geography

[edit]

Silverhill is located in southern Baldwin County at 30°32'42.950" North, 87°45'1.861" West (30.545264, -87.750517),[3] 3 miles (5 km) west of Robertsdale. Alabama State Route 104 (Silverhill Avenue) runs through the center of the town, connecting Robertsdale to the east with Fairhope to the west.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), all land.[2]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1930314—
1940270−14.0%
195035431.1%
196041717.8%
197055232.4%
198062413.0%
1990556−10.9%
200061610.8%
201070614.6%
20207688.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
2013 Estimate[5]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 616 people, 241 households, and 178 families residing in the town. The population density was 517.5 inhabitants per square mile (199.8/km2). There were 266 housing units at an average density of 223.5 per square mile (86.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.05% White, 0.16% Native American, 0.65% Asian, and 1.14% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.8% were of American, 14.8% German, 10.2% Swedish, 9.0% English and 6.4% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 241 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,083, and the median income for a family was $51,964. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $25,938 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,723. About 3.8% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

History

[edit]

Silverhill was founded in 1897 by Oscar Johnson, C. O. Carlson and C. A. Valentin of Chicago, Illinois. Oscar Johnson was an immigrant from Dalarna, Sweden. The Svea Land Company in Chicago, which advertised land for sale in Silverhill, was founded by Oscar Johnson. Land was acquired by purchase from a Mr. Harford, the first block of land being 1,500 acres (610 ha), which was added to from time to time as the colonization work progressed. Scandinavian settlers came to Silverhill from virtually every state in the Union and began the development of what is now the Silverhill district.[7][8]

In 1902, the local general store, People's Supply Company opened;[9][10] and it served as a major hub for the community until the 1980s.

The Wales West Light Railway, a replica of a Welsh mountain railway, is located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of town.

Education

[edit]

Silverhill is a part of the Baldwin County Public Schools system. Silverhill has one school, Silverhill Elementary School, which serves grades kindergarten through 6. Silverhill students continue on to Central Baldwin Middle School (7-8) and Robertsdale High School (9-12), both of which are in Robertsdale.[11]

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Silverhill town, Alabama". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013". Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  6. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ^ Vignettes of Baldwin County (Gulf Telephone Company. 1983)
  8. ^ Silverhill (Scandinavians in Alabama)
  9. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: People's Supply Company". National Park Service. Retrieved October 3, 2023. With accompanying pictures
  10. ^ "Silverhill adds historic walking tour, 'Memory Lane' to annual Heritage Day fest". Al.com. September 16, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  11. ^ History of Silverhill School (written February 26, 2000 for the Annual Founders' Day Dinner) Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
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30°32′43″N 87°45′02″W / 30.545264°N 87.750517°W / 30.545264; -87.750517

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