Hillman, Montana facts for kids

Hillman is a small, quiet place located in Gallatin County, in the amazing U.S. state of Montana. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a settlement that doesn't have its own local government, like a city or town with a mayor and city council. Instead, it's usually managed by the larger county government.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

Imagine a neighborhood or a small group of homes that isn't officially a town or city. That's often what an unincorporated community is like! These places don't have their own police department, fire department, or schools run by a local town hall. Instead, these services are usually provided by the county government, which covers a much larger area. People living in unincorporated communities still pay taxes, but those taxes go to the county to fund services for everyone in the county, including those in smaller settlements like Hillman.

A Look at Hillman's Past

The story of how Hillman got its name is quite interesting and connects to the history of railroads in America. The community was named to honor a man named A. J. Hilman.

Who Was A. J. Hilman?

A. J. Hilman was a "railroad agent" who used to live in the area where Hillman is now located. In the past, especially during the 1800s and early 1900s, railroads were super important for travel and moving goods across the country. A railroad agent was a key person who managed a train station. They would sell tickets, handle freight (goods being shipped), and make sure trains ran on time. Naming a community after a railroad agent showed how important these people and the railroads were to the growth and development of new places in Montana and across the United States.