Hill Street was one of the earliest parts of Toxteth to be developed.

An advert from the Liverpool Mercury for 11th August 1820 shows that there was already some industry there and as early as 1843 Hill Street can be found in trade directories, with numbering from 1-133 and 2-102. This would suggest complete development, even this early, as these numbers would be from modern Sefton Street to past Cotter Place on the even side and past Hyslop Street on the even side. This is virtually all of the way to Park Place which is where Hill Street proper finishes, continuing from there as Upper Hill Street.

Much of the lower part of Hill Street was home to industrial premises, but a little higher up the hill, stood the Royal Southern Hospital.  Along its course Hill Street features several pubs (Highland Home, Neptune Hotel, Union Vaults, Lagos Hotel with The Weathercock and the Dick Jennings at the junction with Mill Street).

The church of St Matthew was formerly found on Hill Street but closed as early as 1931 and was eventually demolished.

Of personal interest is N°30 which was the home of James McGrevy and family in 1851. 30 Hill Street is close to the Grafton Street junction. In 1843 numbers 30 and 32 are joined together in Gore but data is scant and addresses are missing. 1858 simply lists the property with no clues. The 1860 edition shows the property to be between Back Grafton Street and Grafton Street numbering the block 22/24 & 26/28/30/34 &36. By 1881 number 30 is missing whilst 32 and 34 are bracketed together as a wine and spirit vaults, this continues to the 1894 edition.
 

38-56 Hill Street in 1934

124 Hill Street