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is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 8,438 at the 2000 census. Highland began as a Swiss settlement and derived its name from later German Immigrants.
Highland, Illinois was settled in the early 1800s by Swiss-German immigrants. 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 very 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 the inventor of Pet Milk and the Wicks Organ Company. For the past 60 years, Highland Supply Corporation has been producing and selling Easter Grass. 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.
On November 21, 1915, the Liberty Bell passed through Highland on its nationwide tour returning to Pennsylvania from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. After that trip, the Liberty Bell returned to Pennsylvania and will not be moved again.