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City of Hillsboro Marks 150th Anniversary in 2026

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After 150 years of serving community, the City of Hillsboro local government is proud to mark its 150^th Anniversary in 2026.

Hillsboro’s incorporation in October 1876 as a municipal government produced the original City Charter. In the 150 years since, the community has continued to grow and evolve, from its original farming roots to its importance now as the economic engine of the State of Oregon.

Hillsboro’s 2020 Community Vision & Action Plan and the follow up 2035 Community Plan paved the way for many of the community amenities that residents have enjoyed for the past 25 years.

“Our 150^th Anniversary is a moment to recognize the rich tapestry of people, cultures, creative entrepreneurs, industries, and identities that shape our diverse community today,” said Mayor Beach Pace. “It also calls to attention the many contributions made by City government over the past 150 years to help create and serve our incredible community — now and in the future.”

Commemorating Hillsboro's 150^th Anniversary

A 150^th Anniversary culminating event in coordination with the Hillsboro Farmers’ Market will take place on Saturday, October 17, on the Tom Hughes Civic Center Plaza in Downtown Hillsboro. Live musicians, food, and activities will be part of the celebration.

Throughout 2026, the City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department will highlight the 150^th Anniversary at community events, including 150^th Anniversary-branded giveaways at:
- June: Pride Party
- June & July: Showtime Concert Series’ tribute bands from different eras
- August: Pix in the Park
- September: OrencoFest
A special 150^th Anniversary City logo (above) will be featured throughout 2026 on the City’s website, as well as in print and digital materials. The logo reflects Hillsboro’s agricultural roots in balance with modern progress and the City’s commitment to service.
Mayor Pace marked the 150^th Anniversary during the 2026 State of the City event on Thursday, February 19, at the Hillsboro Civic Center.
The City also publicly unveiled Hillsboro's first community flag at the 2026 State of the City. The flag was developed with input from the 2025 Civic Leadership Academy, community member stories, values, and ideas, and a community vote to select the winning design from three finalists. Anyone is welcome to display the flag or use the design on their own materials — visit our About Us webpage to learn more.

Diverse Hillsboro community members pose with 150th Anniversary scarves at the 2026 State of the City event

Top Moments in Service History

To recognize 150 years of serving the Hillsboro community, City departments are sharing some of their top highlights ahead of the 150^th anniversary in October 2026:

March: City Manager’s Office, Finance, Human Resources, Information Services
April: Library
May: Public Works
June: Economic & Community Development
July: Parks & Recreation
August: Water
September: Police
October: Fire & Rescue

City Manager's Office

1876: Hillsborough, which was renamed from “Columbia” in honor of David Hill and later shortened to Hillsboro, received its original City Charter from the State Legislature. This occurred just 17 years after Oregon is recognized as America’s 33^rd state.
1973: The City of Hillsboro took over ownership and management of the Pioneer Cemetery.

Pioneer Cemetery

1988: Hillsboro established its Sister City relationship with the City of Fukuroi, Japan.
1996: The flood of 1996 led the City Council to declare a state of emergency as flooding closed Highway 219, TV Highway at Dairy Creek, and multiple neighborhoods.
2000: The Hillsboro 2020 Vision & Action Plan was created following a three-year visioning process that asked Hillsboro residents, “What do you want Hillsboro to look like in the year 2020?” The 20-year community plan has since been updated and evolved into the Hillsboro 2035 Community Plan.

People think of ideas for the Hillsboro 2035 Community Plan

2005: The Hillsboro Civic Center opened as the second LEED Gold-rated municipal building in the United States. A day-long community celebration included entertainment and a time capsule burial.
2005: The Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council was established.

Members of the 2025-26 City of Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council

2009: The first electric vehicle charging station in Hillsboro was installed on Main Street in front of the Tom Hughes Civic Center Plaza.
2017: The City Council declared Hillsboro a Sanctuary City, affirming its commitment to inclusivity and protection for all residents regardless of immigration status.
2019: The City Council formally adopted Hillsboro’s Equity Statement.
2019: The City sponsored its first community Pride Party, marking a significant step in recognizing and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.

Colorful Pride flags draped around the back of two Pride Party attendees

2020: The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of City facilities in March and a Citywide response to provide needed services, including support for local businesses, food delivery, and library materials for pickup.
2020: The City of Hillsboro launched HiLight high-speed internet, including HiLight’s Bridge program, which offers $10 gigabit service to income-qualifying households.

HiLight installation

2022: The City adopted a land acknowledgment statement recognizing the Atfalati-Kalapuya as the ancestral people of the Tualatin Valley.
2022: The City launched Engage Hillsboro as its online engagement platform, significantly increasing community participation and engagement in projects and more.
2025: The City launched new Language Access services.
2025: Hillsboro’s shelter opened to provide 75 beds for overnight care of community members experiencing homelessness.

Individual shelter pods and walkways at Hillsboro's year-round shelter

Economic & Community Development

Finance

1950: The City issued a $90,000 bond to build Hillsboro’s first municipal swimming pool across from Shute Park, which is now known as SHARC.

1992: The City received the Government Finance Officer Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the first time.

1994: Washington County, the City of Hillsboro, and Intel entered into the first Strategic Investment Program (SIP) agreement that provided tax abatement incentives on up to $3.4 billion of capital investment by Intel.

1998: Hillsboro residents approved the City’s first local option levy. Residents have since reapproved the levy in 2002, 2006, 2012, 2017, and 2022. In 2017, 83% of Hillsboro voters approved the Local Option Levy. In 2022, 82% of Hillsboro voters approved the Local Option Levy.

1999: Washington County, the City of Hillsboro, and Intel entered into a Strategic Investment Program (SIP) agreement that would provide tax abatement incentives on $12.5 billion of capital investment by Intel. The City mainly uses SIP revenues for one-time capital expenses and for debt service on the majority of its Full Faith & Credit Bonds.

2004: The City issued a $26.4 million Full Faith & Credit Bond for the construction of the Hillsboro Civic Center.

Civic Center event

2005: Washington County, the City of Hillsboro, and Intel entered into a Strategic Investment Program (SIP) agreement that would provide tax abatement incentives on $25 billion of capital investment by Intel.

2012: The City received the Government Finance Officer Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the first time.

2012: The City issued an $11.9 million Full Faith & Credit Bond for construction of the Hillsboro Ballpark, the first home of the Hillsboro Hops. Hillsboro Ballpark is now the home of the Portland Cascade professional women’s softball team, as well as Portland State University softball.

2012: The City Council adopted comprehensive fiscal policies for the first time. The policies formalized the previously existing practices of strong financial stewardship, which include maintaining appropriate reserves and using revenue and debt issuances responsibly.

2014: Washington County, the City of Hillsboro, and Intel entered into a Strategic Investment Program (SIP) agreement that provided tax abatement incentives on up to $100 billion of capital investments by Intel.

2017: The City’s credit rating was upgraded from Aa3 to Aa2 by Moody’s Investors Services.

2019: The City issued a $32.2 million Full Faith & Credit Bond for construction of the Hidden Creek Community Center.

Hidden-Creek-Exterior

2019: The City’s credit rating was upgraded from Aa2 to Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Services.

2019: The City of Hillsboro was approved for and entered into a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for $250.5 million. The reimbursable loan was used to fund a portion of the City’s share of the Willamette Water Supply System.

2022: The City Council adopted Hillsboro's first Supplier Diversity policy. The policy’s purpose is to afford greater and more meaningful opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned businesses, and emerging small businesses wishing to do business with the City as a direct supplier, contractor, or subcontractor.

2023: The City of Hillsboro moved to a Biennial Budgeting Process. The two-year budget cycle led to greater staffing efficiencies that created more time to plan and implement City Council priorities and other major initiatives from the Hillsboro 2035 Community Plan and the City’s Strategic Plan, and to provide core City services.

Budget in Brief 2025-27

2026: The City issued a $91.8 million Full Faith & Credit Bond for the construction of a new Police Headquarters, the South Hillsboro Fire Station, and the Fairgrounds Sports Complex.

Fire & Rescue

Human Resources

2010: Bilingual Incentive Pay Program:
Human Resources staff launched a Bilingual Incentive Pay Program to promote language access and support dedicated staff members who provide customer service, interpretation, and communications in Spanish & any other language spoken by more than 10% of Hillsboro residents. We proudly expanded the program to include ASL in 2026.
2014: Summer Internship Program:
The City of Hillsboro’s first Summer Internship Program launched in 2014 to introduce students to a variety of public sector career opportunities and provide them with professional experience & soft skills to support their future. The City has hosted 275 interns across all departments and many graduates have enjoyed career success with the City or other local government agencies.

Youth

2014: Enhanced Staff Training & Development Program:
The City enhanced employee training & development by launching Hillsboro U. The program began with a focus on staff safety and compliance training and grew into an extensive & engaging opportunity that encourages all employees to learn new skills and explore personal and professional enrichment.
2018: Employee Mentoring Program:
The City established an optional Mentoring Program that creates mutually beneficial relationships and supports professional development, personal expansion, and skill sharing. The innovative program connects employees across a variety of departments and roles and provides dedicated time to develop rich and rewarding relationships as well as personal skills.
2020: Expansion of Hillsboro Helps Volunteer Program During COVID-19:
Human Resources staff implemented new & groundbreaking operational policies and procedures that kept City employees supported & safe and ensured our community members experienced a high level of continuity in vital services and programs.
2022: Public Employer of the Year:
City of Hillsboro was named Public Employer of the Year by Oregon Resource Association for fostering an equitable workplace for employees with disabilities in 2022. Hillsboro’s commitment to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve, including people of all abilities, remains strong.

2022 Employer of the Year award

2023: Mindful Hillsboro Employee Wellness Initiative:
The Mindful Hillsboro wellness initiative launched in 2023 to take care of employees so they can take care of the community and support employee well-being as a Strategic Plan Goal Focus Area & core City value. The program & digital app invites employees to enhance their mental, physical, emotional, financial, intellectual, and social wellness.
2025: New Online Risk & Safety Reporting Portal for Community Members:
The City of Hillsboro introduced a new community-facing online reporting portal with a focus on safety. The portal makes it easier for community members to submit claims, concerns, or complaints directly to the Human Resources Department’s Risk & Safety Division. It enhances transparency & improves response times by ensuring issues are tracked and addressed efficiently. By streamlining communication with a secure, user-friendly process, the portal reinforces Hillsboro’s commitment to safety and accountability within the community.

Information Services

Library

1914: After receiving a $10,000 grant to build the Carnegie City Library in Hillsboro at 2nd Avenue and Lincoln Street, the Hillsboro City Council passed a resolution on January 20, 1914, stating that the City was committed to funding and maintaining the library "at a cost of not less than $1,000 per year."
- Ordinance No. 503 formed the Hillsboro Public Library Board on September 1.
- The Carnegie City Library, the first library in Hillsboro, opened on December 9. It is the only public Carnegie Library in Washington County. (The building is now home to Syun Izakaya restaurant.)

Carnegie Library building after construction in 1914

Carnegie Library view from Courthouse lawn with crowd standing

1975: The Shute Park Library branch opened, replacing the Carnegie City Library.
1976: The Friends of the Library opened the Tanasbourne Town Center Library. Later in 1990, Hillsboro Public Library assumed operations of the Town Center Library.

Tanasbourne Library Location undated photo from 1970s or 1980s

2007: The Main Library (later renamed the Brookwood Library) opened to the community in May, occupying the first floor. With the new library’s opening, the Tanasbourne location was closed and its inventory was moved to the new Main Library.

"Main Library" front area

2013: The second floor of the Main Library opened to the community in June, featuring study rooms, conference rooms, public computers, the Event Room, the Board Room, art exhibits, a quiet room, and later the Collaboratory.
2014: Shute Park Library reopened in March following 10 months of extensive renovations, upgrades, and improvements, including more natural light, a more spacious computer lab, a community meeting room, a new entrance, canopy, and public plaza. The renovations also included a new roof, heating and air conditioning, seismic upgrades, and a rebuilt parking lot.

Shute Park Library front close up of windows

2015: The Book-o-Mat automated kiosk was added on the Civic Center Plaza. After 10 years of use, it closed in June 2025.
2016: The Main Library is renamed Brookwood Library, while the Shute Park Branch is renamed Shute Park Library.
- The City hosts its first naturalization ceremony at Brookwood Library, welcoming 60 new U.S. citizens in partnership with USCIS.

Want to read more about Hillsboro’s history?

Brookwood Library is home to archived issues (on microfiche) of The Hillsboro Independent and The Hillsboro Argus, with editions dating from 1887 – 2017.

Parks & Recreation

Police

Public Works

Water