Welcome, We’re mighty proud to call the City of Oak Hill home; the southernmost gem of Southeast Volusia County. Tucked between the beautiful Indian River Lagoon and the open Florida sky, Oak Hill is a place where small-town spirit, rich history, and natural beauty come together just right.
Our roots run deep here. Long before Oak Hill became a city, this land was home to the Native American village Surruque el Viejo, shown on a French map all the way back in 1564. In the early 1800s, the Swift brothers set up shop here, supplying strong Southern live oak timber for the U.S. Navy’s ships. They brought hundreds of workers each winter, and many of those hardworking folks became some of Oak Hill’s very first residents.
The area’s first land grants go back to 1803–1804, and by the mid-1800s, families like Edward Archibald McDonald and Henry J. Clifton had put down roots. During the Civil War, McDonald ran salt works along the coast, and not long after, Jacob Davy Mitchell planted the first orange grove, while William Williams, a Black freedman, became a respected businessman and community leader.
As the years rolled on, Oak Hill began to grow; with hotels, stores, a post office, and schools that served both white and Black students in their own unique way. By the early 1900s, education was thriving, and in 1927, a public school for Black students was built with great local pride.
The town officially became the City of Oak Hill in 1927, though tough times during the Great Depression caused the city to pause its operations. But Oak Hill folks are nothing if not resilient; and in 1961, a determined group of citizens brought our Charter back to life. Clarence Q. Goodrich Jr. was elected mayor in 1963, serving faithfully for 26 years and helping shape the Oak Hill we know today.
For generations, our people made their living from citrus groves and commercial fishing, with the rhythm of the seasons guiding everyday life. These days, many of our residents work in nearby towns or at Kennedy Space Center, but we still hold tight to that same hardworking, neighborly spirit.
Today, Oak Hill continues to grow while holding fast to what makes it special; a love of nature, a respect for history, and a strong sense of community. We’re working hard to keep our city beautiful, welcoming, and full of heart, so future generations can enjoy the same sweet Southern charm that’s always made Oak Hill feel like home.
To learn more about our story, come visit The Oak Hill Museum, located at 126 E. Halifax Avenue, Oak Hill, FL 32759, or stop by their Facebook page. We’d love to share a little more of our history with you.
