When John Sprunt Hill moved to Durham from Duplin County in 1903, the land he farmed stretched all the way from Hillsorough Road north to Rose of Sharon Road. While Hill is better remembered as the founder of the historic Central Carolina Bank & Trust Co., he also owned a farm which produced everything from tobacco to hogs. His Hillandale and Croasdaile dairies became the major source for Durham's supply of milk.You can also readily see now the origin of the name Hillandale Rd.

   Hill's legacy was not lost on his children. His son George Watts Hill,was  on the first board of directors of the Research Triangle Foundation organized in 1959. His daughter, Frances Hill Fox, not only would become one of the first women to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, but would also later take over the management of the family farm.

   In 1964, Frances Hill Fox and her husgand , Dr. Herbert J. Fox, began to develop a portion of their farm into a community called "Croasdaile." The name "Croasdaile" was derived from one of  John Sprunt Hill's trips to Ireland where he met an Irish family with the name Croasdaile and later chose the name for one of his dairy farms.Their vision materialized into one of Durham's finest neighborhoods that included 200 exclusive residential homesites, professional and medical offices and the Croasdaile Country Club featuring an 18 hole golf course designed by George W. Cobb (architectural consultant for Augusta National). The original Croasdaile is now fully built out ,but the development continues with well excecuted planning and design in Croasdaile Farm.

   Today, Mrs. Fox's daughter, Susan Fox Beischer, her husband, George Beischer and their son, David Beischer are developing the remainder of the family farm. This 1,000 acre planned residential community,called "Croasdaile Farm" provides a lifestyle for people who share an appreciation for the understated beauty of its natural surroundings.

   In keeping with the elegantly rustic charm of Croasdaile Farm, some of the existing farm buildings and barns will eventually be converted into a "village center" providing space for a restaurant, shops and offices. In order to preserve the character of the farm and its natural setting as much as possible, nearly 275 acres are being deeded to the members of Croasdaile Farm Master Homeowners Association for their exclusive use as either passive or active recreation areas. An extensive network of greenways throughout this acreage features paved and landscaped paths which meander through the community connecting a 6.5 acre lake with fishing pier , a 40 acre park complete with picnic tables , wonderful vistas and abundant wildlife.Take a look across the meadow and you will see a few black angus cattle who still live on the property.

  Developers and residents take great pride in this community.  History has been and will always be an integral part as we tell the story of "CROASDAILE."