Hill, a pioneer railroad builder, developed the North Oaks lands into one of the nation’s leading agricultural experimental farms. His son, Louis W. Hill, Sr., preserved the farm in its natural, unspoiled state throughout his lifetime. After his death in 1948, title for the properties passed to his four children, Louis, Jr., Cortland, Jerome, and Maude, who decided that the time for exclusive use of the land by one family had passed.Louis W. Hill, Jr. increased the area to approximately 5,500 acres through purchase of additional land including the Robb Farm in 1949, and developed a plan to turn the North Oaks Farm into a residential community with a beach, dedicated park land and an 18-hole golf course. Hill formed the North Oaks Company and retained a professional community planner to carry out his vision.
Over time, additional properties were developed with each neighborhood becoming part of an overarching governing body, the North Oaks Home Owners’ Association (NOHOA). As of January 2017, the city of North Oaks covers 8.6 square miles of property and is home to more than 1,800 households and 5,000 residents.
