It later became co-gender in the 1970s, and served males ages 12–25 who were violent or in need of substance abuse treatment.

The facility originally opened as the State Industrial School for Girls in 1914.

[3] A boys' facility was opened 1891, and concern was expressed that there was a need for a similar institution for "erring daughters".

[3] The girls' facility opened in 1913 in the old Polytechnic Building on the grounds of the Oregon School for the Deaf while Hillcrest was being built.

[6] For part of its history, Hillcrest was managed by the Oregon State Board of Control.