Oak Hill
Oak Hill was one of the last of the villages of Newton to be established. Oak Hill is mainly a residential area with no substantial commercial district. Oak Hill is the home of Newton South High School. Oak Hill is better known for Oak Hill Park, a Community located within the village.
Oak Hill Park was not developed until after WWII. Returning veterans needed homes and during the late 1940s, real estate was hard to come by. The city of Newton wanted to do their part to help the returning veterans and hence the Oak Hill Park project was born. Unlike many other similar developments throughout the country, the city of Newton passed a bond and financed the project themselves without the help of federal aid. The residential development was built on an old gravel pit with the lots being sold to the project for $50 each. The families were able to choose from two standard floor plans and had a few optional upgrades available to them. Even with ever option, the most expensive home still cost less than $10,000. These homes were made very affordable in an effort to help the families of those that had served in WWII.
The Oak Hill Park development was unique in itself. Rather than facing the street, the homes faced a common pathway. The automobile was still a luxury and most families were lucky to own one car during this period. A school and shopping center were also built in the area. As with all other aspects of life, the advancements of technology and the automobile led to changes in Oak Hill Park. Many of the homes have been upgraded or completely replaced. Some of the original homes still stand and remind us of the great generosity of the city of Newton.
