Near the shores of Lake Ontario lie Parma, Hilton, and several other pioneer communities once connected by Indian trails. Parma was named in honor of the Italian city and province of the same name and Hilton village, once known as North Parma, was renamed after Rev. Charles A. Hilton, a Civil War veteran and Baptist minister. Before the Civil War, the area was known as the Nation's Breadbasket. It became a leading fruit production center near the end of the 19th century and attracted immigrants from around the world. Parma and Hilton uses images from throughout the century to illustrate the pioneer times, the development of government, life on the waterfront, transportation and communication,
schools and churches, business and industry, and festive days of celebration.