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Highland, Illinois

Highland
City
Country United States
State Illinois
County Madison
Coordinates 38°44′38″N 89°40′38″W / 38.74389°N 89.67722°W / 38.74389; -89.67722Coordinates: 38°44′38″N 89°40′38″W / 38.74389°N 89.67722°W / 38.74389; -89.67722
Area 7.59 sq mi (20 km2)
 - land 6.55 sq mi (17 km2)
 - water 1.04 sq mi (3 km2)
Population 9,919 (2010)
Density 1,514/sq mi (585/km2)
Mayor Joseph R. Michaelis
Timezone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Postal code 62249
Area code 618
Location of Highland within Illinois
Location of Highland within Illinois

Highland is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,919 at the 2010 census. Highland began as a Swiss settlement and derived its name from later German immigrants.

Highland is a sister city of Sursee in Switzerland.

Highland, because it is located in Madison County, Illinois, is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area.

Highland, Illinois was settled in the early 19th century by Swiss-German settlers. The town was founded in 1837 and is celebrating its 175th Jubilee in 2012 with a Festival for the occasion planned in September. It was first named Helvetia (pronounced hellveesha) in accordance with the Heritage of the town's Swiss-German founding members. The town voted to change its name to the English version - Highland, in the early 20th century, as well as stopping production of its German language newspaper, in part to avoid negativity towards those of Germanic heritage at the advent of the First World War. Around the same time, a small town in northern Illinois also started calling itself Highland. Eventually, the town in northern Illinois became Highland Park. Highland also has been home to many well-known businesses including Pet Milk and the Wicks Organ Company. For the past 60 years, Highland Supply Corporation has been producing and selling Floral Grass - a traditional decorative product used to line Easter baskets. Highland is also home to The Korte Company (builder of many large and well-known buildings including Universal Studios in Florida). Highland has a rich history including extended visits by such notables as Abraham Lincoln.


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