Hickory Hills, Illinois

Hickory Hills, situated in Cook County, Illinois, serves as a suburban enclave of Chicago, primarily nestled within Palos Township. As of the 2020 census, its population stood at 14,505.

History The roots of Hickory Hills trace back to 1917 when the Hickory Hills Country Club was established in what is now the city's territory. Designed by Scottish-American golfer James Foulis, the club boasts an enduring presence with its 18-hole golf course.

The village of Hickory Hills was officially incorporated in September 1951, encompassing the area spanning from 91st to 95th streets and between 80th to 88th avenue, with an initial population of approximately 450 residents. Subsequently, in October 1966, residents sanctioned a transition from a village to a city form of government.

In 1961, the Poor Clares nuns, a branch of the Franciscan order, secured 20 acres of land at 89th Street and Keane Avenue to establish a new monastery. However, due to declining numbers, the monastery ceased operations in 1992, prompting the order to relocate to Chicago in 1999, ultimately settling in nearby Palos Park in 2003.

Geography Perched atop the Tinley Moraine, an undulating belt of ridges formed approximately 14,000 years ago during the Wisconsin glaciation, Hickory Hills enjoys a picturesque setting.

The majority of Hickory Hills lies within the northern expanse of Palos Township, save for areas north of 87th Street, which fall under Lyons Township. The city's principal east-west arteries are 87th Street and 95th Street, the latter serving as a conduit for U.S. Route 12 and Route 20 through the South Chicago suburbs. Bordered by the Palos Forest Preserves to the west and the Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 294) to the east, Hickory Hills shares boundaries with neighboring communities such as Palos Hills, Bridgeview, Justice, and Willow Springs.