Tewksbury’s Evolution: How Hillman Street and Surrounding Areas Have Transformed

A journey through time: Discovering how a cornerstone of Tewksbury has evolved from rural beginnings to vibrant community hub

The landscape of Tewksbury has undergone remarkable transformations over the generations, with the Hillman Street area serving as a microcosm of the town’s broader evolution. From its agricultural roots to today’s residential and commercial blend, this neighborhood tells the story of Tewksbury’s growth and adaptation through changing times.

The Early Days: Agricultural Foundations

In the late 1800s, what we now know as the Hillman Street area was predominantly farmland, dotted with apple orchards and dairy operations that characterized much of Tewksbury’s rural landscape. Large family farms stretched across acres, with stone walls (some still visible today) marking property boundaries that would later become familiar streets and subdivisions.

The Hillman family, for whom the street would eventually be named, operated one of the area’s prominent farms, known particularly for their dairy production and exceptional apple harvests. Local records indicate that Hillman apples were prized at regional agricultural fairs, earning recognition for their crisp texture and sweet-tart balance.

The Trolley Era Transforms Tewksbury

The dawn of the 20th century brought significant change to Tewksbury with the expansion of the electric trolley system from neighboring Lowell. In 1902, developers capitalized on the new transportation link by establishing Tewksbury Park—a recreational destination designed to increase trolley ridership on weekends and holidays.

Located near what is now the intersection of Hillman Street and Main Street, this “trolley park” featured modest amusements, picnic grounds, and a dance pavilion that quickly became a social center for the community. Weekend band concerts drew visitors from surrounding towns, and the park’s pond offered rowing in summer and skating in winter.

“My grandmother used to tell stories about courting my grandfather at the dance pavilion,” shared longtime resident Eleanor Chandler in a 1985 oral history preserved by the Tewksbury Historical Society. “She said you could hear the music from two streets away on warm summer evenings.”

The park’s success gradually led to increased residential development along the trolley route, as the convenience of public transportation made the area attractive to workers commuting to Lowell’s textile mills and manufacturing facilities.

Post-War Boom and Suburban Growth

While the Great Depression and World War II slowed development throughout Tewksbury, the post-war economic boom triggered the neighborhood’s most dramatic transformation. The trolley park, which had declined in popularity with the rise of automobile culture, was redeveloped in 1948 into one of the area’s first planned residential subdivisions.

“Hillman Heights,” as the development was marketed, featured modest Cape Cod and ranch-style homes aimed at returning veterans and young families. These houses—many still standing today though often expanded and renovated—represented the American dream of homeownership that characterized the 1950s.

Town records show building permits in the Hillman Street area exploded between 1948 and 1955, with over 120 new homes constructed in what had been primarily open land just a decade earlier. The subdivision’s streets, with names like Veterans Avenue and Liberty Lane, reflected the patriotic optimism of the era.

Local resident Thomas McKenna, whose parents purchased one of the original Hillman Heights homes in 1950, recalls: “The neighborhood was full of kids. Every house had three or four children, and we’d all play street hockey or build forts in the woods that still existed behind the development.”

Those woods would gradually disappear as Tewksbury’s population continued to grow. By 1960, the population had nearly tripled from pre-war numbers, transforming the town from rural outpost to emerging suburb.

Commercial Development and Community Growth

The 1970s and 1980s brought another wave of change to the Hillman Street area with the addition of commercial development along nearby Main Street. The small general store that had served the neighborhood since trolley days gave way to a shopping plaza anchored by a supermarket and pharmacy.

Hillman Street itself remained primarily residential, but its character evolved as original homeowners aged and a new generation moved in, often expanding the modest original homes to accommodate contemporary lifestyles.

The establishment of the Hillman Street Community Center in 1985 (on the site of an old schoolhouse) marked the neighborhood’s evolution into a true community hub. The center initially offered senior programs and youth sports but has since expanded to include a range of services from daycare to adult education classes.

“When we moved here in 1978, Hillman Street was just a quiet residential road,” notes community center director Marian Patel. “Now it’s a critical connection point for so many aspects of Tewksbury life. Three generations of families have come through our doors.”

Preservation Amidst Progress

As development pressure increased throughout Tewksbury in the 1990s and 2000s, the Hillman Street area faced challenges in balancing growth with preservation of its unique character. The formation of the Hillman Street Neighborhood Association in 1997 gave residents a voice in shaping further development.

Their efforts led to the preservation of a three-acre parcel—once part of the original Hillman farm—as a neighborhood park, complete with community gardens that pay homage to the area’s agricultural roots. The park’s centerpiece, a restored apple barn from the early 1900s, now serves as an event space and houses a small museum dedicated to the neighborhood’s history.

“We wanted to make sure that as we moved forward, we didn’t lose sight of what made this area special,” explains Sarah Richardson, one of the founding members of the neighborhood association. “The community gardens are always full each spring, and it’s wonderful to see families growing food on the same land where the Hillmans farmed over a century ago.”

Today’s Hillman Street: A Blend of Old and New

The Hillman Street area of 2025 represents a thoughtful balance between historic preservation and modern convenience. Several of the original farmhouses have been meticulously restored, standing proudly alongside renovated mid-century homes and carefully designed new construction.

The commercial corridor has been revitalized with façade improvements and pedestrian-friendly features, creating a more walkable community. Small businesses like Hillman Café (housed in a converted 1920s residence) and specialty shops have replaced some of the strip mall establishments of earlier decades.

Technology infrastructure improvements in recent years have made the neighborhood attractive to remote workers and entrepreneurs, bringing new energy to the community while honoring its roots.

“I think what makes Hillman Street special is that you can see the layers of history,” observes local historian James Peterson. “From the remaining stone walls of the farming era to the distinctive architecture of the post-war homes to the modern amenities, the neighborhood tells Tewksbury’s story in a very tangible way.”

The Water Connection: Infrastructure Evolution

One often overlooked aspect of the Hillman Street area’s transformation involves the essential infrastructure that made development possible. From early wells and septic systems to modern municipal services, the neighborhood’s growth parallels advancements in plumbing and water management.

The neighborhood experienced significant challenges during the drought of 1965, when many of the original shallow wells began to fail. This crisis ultimately led to Tewksbury’s decision to extend municipal water service to the area—a project completed in 1967 that allowed for further development and improved fire protection.

Today’s residents rarely think about the complex network of pipes beneath their streets, but this invisible infrastructure represents one of the most important investments in the community’s development and continuing prosperity.

Looking Forward While Honoring the Past

As Tewksbury continues to evolve, the Hillman Street area stands as a testament to thoughtful community development. Recent initiatives like the historical marker program—which places informational plaques at significant sites throughout the neighborhood—help new residents connect with the area’s rich heritage.

The Hillman Street Community Center has expanded its programming to include an annual Heritage Day celebration each September, featuring demonstrations of traditional crafts, local food, and walking tours highlighting the neighborhood’s transformation from trolley park to modern community.

“Understanding where we’ve been helps us make better decisions about where we’re going,” notes Town Planner Rebecca Johnson. “The Hillman Street area shows how a neighborhood can grow and change while still maintaining connections to its past.”

From apple orchards to trolley park to suburban development to today’s vibrant mixed-use neighborhood, Hillman Street’s evolution mirrors the broader transformation of Tewksbury itself—a community that continues to reinvent itself while honoring the foundations built by previous generations.

Supporting Infrastructure Through Generations

Throughout all these transformations, one constant has been the need for reliable home systems that adapt to changing needs. Dee’s Plumbing and Heating has been privileged to support Tewksbury homes through many of these evolutionary phases. From updating century-old systems in historical properties to installing efficient solutions in new construction, our team has witnessed firsthand how Hillman Street and surrounding areas have transformed.

Many longtime customers share stories of how their homes have changed—from the family that converted their 1950s basement into a modern home office during the remote work boom, to the couple restoring a farmhouse while respectfully incorporating contemporary amenities. Each project connects us more deeply to the community’s history while helping shape its future.

Just as Tewksbury has evolved through thoughtful development and respect for its heritage, Dee’s Plumbing and Heating continues to combine time-tested expertise with innovative solutions—ensuring that the homes and businesses of Hillman Street will remain comfortable, efficient, and ready for whatever transformations the next chapter brings.