The Hilltop Neighborhood is one of Chattanooga’s oldest neighborhoods east of Missionary Ridge.

Originally settled in the 1800’s nestled on a hill between Dutchtown and Col. W.R. Crabtree’s “Belvoir” farm, it is a neighborhood which experienced significant growth during the early to mid 1920’s. 

The Hilltop was developed in several efforts, almost all simultaneous, primarily including large developments Kelly Gardens, Lerch Place, and Belvoir Heights and smaller developments including Eastview, and Westview. 

Beginning in the 1930’s these developments became known simply as “Hilltop.”

The Hilltop Neighborhood is one of Chattanooga’s oldest neighborhoods east of Missionary Ridge.  Originally settled in the 1800’s nestled on a hill between Dutchtown and Col. W.R. Crabtree’s “Belvoir” farm, it is a neighborhood which experienced significant growth during the early to mid 1920’s.  The Hilltop was developed in several efforts, almost all simultaneous, primarily including large developments Kelly Gardens, Lerch Place, and Belvoir Heights and smaller developments including Eastview, and Westview.  Beginning in the 1930’s these developments became known simply as “Hilltop.”

1886 - Jacob Kellerhals purchases small dairy farm from Nicholas and Christina Sterchi East of Missionary Ridge near “Water Tower Ridge.”

1898 - A “thriving little hamlet” of mostly Germans is recognized as “Dutchtown” in the Chattanooga Daily Times.  The Kellerhals and Lerch families were majority landowners in the area.  The Kellerhals were originally from a locale near Bern, Switzerland and spoke German.  The Lerch family originated from Germany.

1916 - Kellerhals Dairy Farm memorialized as key part of “Dutchtown” settlement in Judge Lewis Shepherd’s "Hamilton County Towns, Villages and Localities And Queer Facts About Origin of Their Names" in the Chattanooga Daily Times.

1919 - East View Terrace marketed as subdivision.

1922 - West View first noted in local newspaper.

1921 - Belvoir Heights created and proclaimed as the first small tract sales of the Belvoir farm following Col. W.R. Crabtree’s death in 1920.  The remaining portion of the farm would be subdivided in 1922 and is a part of the Belvoir Neighborhood.

1924 - Jacob Kellerhals passed away following illness and it is determined that, due to having so many heirs, the family farm would be liquidated.

1925 - J.P. King Auction Company advertises the former Kellerhals Dairy Farm for absolute auction as “Kelly Gardens.”

1926 - Kelly Gardens and Belvoir Heights along with many other local neighborhoods including Olde Towne, Sunnyside, Dutchtown, Belvoir, and the Mission merged by popular vote.  This new community of “Brainerd” was specifically created with the intent to be soon annexed by the city of Chattanooga.

1928 - The main thoroughfare along the crest of the hill separating Kelly Gardens and Belvoir Heights is shown in the Sanborn Fire Maps as titled “Hilltop Drive”.  This road is first shown as “Fourth Street” in the 1914 Hopkins Map and between 1914 and 1928 as “Thompson.”

1929 - Brainerd officially annexed by the city of Chattanooga.

1930 - Due to extensive recent annexation initiatives, hundreds of street names were changed to reduce duplication and confusion.  Many roads throughout the Hilltop Neighborhood are changed through this process.