The first settlement at Ila was in the second half of the 18th century. During the 19th century, the area developed as the entertainment centre of Trondheim, with dance saloons, pubs, and liquor stores. In 1826, it was the site for the first Norwegian Constitution Dayparade. During the late 19th century the area started being redeveloped into dense labour-class housing, with a school opening in 1877. Ilen Church (Ila kirke) was opened in 1889 and in 1893 Ilalinjen, a horsecar line, was built with Ila Station as the terminus and rebuilt to a tramway in 1901.[4]