South Holland, Illinois

South Holland is a village located in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 22,147. South Holland also serves as the seat of Thornton Township. South Holland was first settled in 1846 by immigrants from South Holland, the Netherlands. When the town incorporated in 1894, its population was about 1,000. Originally a general farming community, it later specialized in vegetable growing especially onions for the Chicago markets. The town was built on low ground near the Calumet River and was originally called "de Laage Prairie" to differentiate it from another Dutch settlement further north on higher ground and called "de Hooge Prairie" (now the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago).

Related Topics:
Cook County, Illinois - 2000 - Thornton Township - South Holland - Netherlands - 1894 - Farming - Vegetable - Onion - Chicago - Calumet River - Roseland

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South Holland is bordered by Harvey and Phoenix to the west, Dolton to the north, Thornton to the south, and Calumet City to the east.

Related Topics:
Harvey - Phoenix - Dolton - Thornton - Calumet City

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South Holland is an anomaly in the South Suburban region because of its laws. All businesses (except restaurants and gas stations) are closed on Sunday. This can be seen easily when driving on one of the town's main thoroughfares--162nd Street or South Park Avenue. Also, South Holland is a "dry" town; that is, no alcohol is sold anywhere within the city limits. These laws are a remnant of the town's religious roots as a settlement of conservative Dutch Reformed immigrants. Even today, South Holland's motto is "A Community Of Churches".

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