Hillsboro history is full of amazing people and events. Over my lifetime here, I have gained a deep knowledge and understanding of our community, the surrounding valley and hills, and the people and events that make it so unique. Through my work as the President of the Hillsboro Historical Society, I have gained a more profound knowledge, and we love to share voices, artifacts, and photos from the past. We never find film- it is so scarce because so few people had access to cameras or film until the 1960s and 1970s. Even films from those decades rarely appear. That is why this film is so special.
This vintage film we located about Hillsboro’s past was shot in the 1930s. In it, we see the BW Barnes School, which was on the old Hillsboro High School site. In the film, we see the lives of the Home and farm on Grant Street, old Cars, and our wonderful Hillsboro town folk in full fashion and flair in the 1930s! Thanks to Tammy Burgard, who posted it in 2011, it’s incredible. Enjoy, folks, because this is a Hillsboro Treat!
The Facebook group We Remember Hillsboro started to dig very deep into the History of Hillsboro. The group now has over 10,000 members, and several of them had tidbits to share about the home and the family where it is located.
Hillsboro historian Matt Andersen offered, “The house you are talking about (427 NE Grant Street) was built in 1931 for Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Folkenberg. At the time, the parcel of land the Folkenbergs owned at this site totaled four acres.”
Mike Parsons remembered, “The Oldham family lived there when I was in school. I graduated in 1972. Meg, Lee, and Gary Oldham’s parents, Jack and Eleanor. Jack was a Farmers Insurance agent in Hillsboro and friends with our family.”
More Hillsboro History is out there- check out or join the Hillsboro Historical Society, see the photos and more at 222 East Main Street, and check out the Facebook page above.
Thanks to Tammu Burgard and her family for capturing the film and bringing to to life for all of us to share!
