Cottage Hill history begins in the mid 1800s, making it the oldest surviving residential area of Montgomery. Original settlers were merchants, businessmen and higher paid railway workers, such as engineers and conductors. Cottage Hill is named for the first public school in the district, which opened in 1891 and remained in use until 1963. Cottage Hill homes offer distinct architectural design, wh
ich reflect the taste and lifestyle of urban middle class from 1870-1910 and are known for high ceilings and spacious rooms, wonderful porches and intricate Victorian gingerbread detail. As Montgomery moved toward the suburbs during the 1950s and '60s, homes of Cottage Hill deteriorated and the area was slated to become an industrial warehouse area. The district experienced a revival in the 1970s when several homes were purchased by individuals with a vision of what Cottage Hill could become. This group led many efforts to preserve and restore much of the neighborhood's irreplaceable architecture. By 1974, Cottage Hill was zoned as a historic district and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Through the work of the Cottage Hill Foundation and residents, Cottage Hill developed into a friendly, beautiful and safe community in which to live. It is common to see neighbors on the sidewalks visiting with each other, taking a light stroll or sitting on their front porches.
