Hillside, NJ

Formed in 1913 from portions of Union Township, Hillside experienced rapid growth due to its location along major trolley and train lines that once connected it to Newark. It was home to significant manufacturing operations, including a Bristol-Myers Squibb plant. A genuinely fascinating historical fact is that Hillside was the birthplace of the Lionel Corporation's iconic model trains, which were manufactured in a massive facility here from the 1920s through the 1950s.

Hillside today is a highly diverse community, with a strong mix of working professionals and families, and a significant African American and Hispanic population. Its commercial corridors are functional rather than boutique, characterized by local markets, auto shops, and fast-casual dining along North Broad Street and Liberty Avenue. The town is currently known for ongoing political battles over municipal services and school funding, as well as efforts to attract new commercial ratables.

Unlike the western Union County towns, Hillside is far more integrated into the Newark metropolitan orbit, lacking a central, walkable downtown plaza. A local would want an outsider to know that Hillside is a town defined by hard work and resilience, offering strong neighborhood bonds and strategic logistical access rather than manicured suburban aesthetics.