The story of Oak Hill really begins with the earliest known settlers, the Timucuam Indians, at the site of an Indian village called Surruque el Viejo. This is seen on LeMoyne's map of 1564. Archeologist determined these Indians lived here about 2000 B.C. until about 1565 A.D. Today this land is the Seminole Rest site of the National Seashore Park, and is located on these Indian Middens, (waste mounds). Four large distinct mounds remain untouched and have been archeologically verified by a team from the University of Florida in the 1960's.
Since this area along the Indian River, (Intercoastal Waterway), was rich in old twisted oak trees, the Swift brothers of Massachusetts selected this spot to cut timber for shipbuilding in the 1850's, and identified their point of entry as "Oak Hill." The river was not only important for timber, but as more settlers made their home here, it became important for food, transportation, communication (mail service), supplies, and "rum runnin'" during the 1920's.
Following the Territorial Days of Florida, permanent settlers began moving into the area. Statehood seemed to provide stability for organized communities. By the Civil War Years, Oak Hill was changing: a salt works was operating, turpentine business, grocery and dry goods stores opened, and Jacob Davy Mitchell had planted the first orange grove, and many more would follow.
Following the war, settlers began arriving in the area from many places. The local cemetery has eleven Civil War veteran burials - five unions and six confederates.
Hotels, stores, a post office, and a school (operated by Rev. Wicks in the Congregational Church) served a few white students in the morning and several black students in the afternoon. A public school for white students was constructed in the early 1890's and a prominent black freedman, Bill Williams provided instruction and space for black students in 1901. A public school for black students was constructed in 1927. Recreation was baseball, and by the 1930's there was a traveling baseball team known as the Possums.
Weather was a crucial factor in area economics as most people were either citrus growers or commercial fisherman. Circumstances have had a tremendous impact on these occupations in recent years. Very few citizens are involved with these jobs now. Several hard freezes in the 1980's ended citrus as a thriving industry. State Legislators past a Net Ban in 1992, ending commercial fishing. Today most residents gladly commute north or south to earn their livelihood and return to their home in this caring "family" community.
The City of Oak Hill was first chartered in 1927. Local government was based on a Mayor/Commission with each commissioner functioning as head of a municipal department. The city was later disbanded in 1930.
At that time, the country was in a depression, and the city petitioned the government to inactivate the charter. That was granted, however, a reactivation was petitioned by the community in 1962 to reactivate the charter. Clarence Goodrich was the city's mayor from 1963 to 1989, and Mayor Goodrich's term spanned 27 volunteer years. This is the longest term any mayor has held in the State of Florida.
Today, the City of Oak Hill is working toward improving its economic, environmental, and cultural areas, while preserving the richness of its history and heritage. Citizens embrace positive, planned changes that are necessary, but continue to value the heritage and understand the struggles and hard work of good families that provided a spirit of community.