Welcome to Hill City
Hill City is a small city with 633 residents that offers a friendly small town and country living in beautiful Aitkin County. Only about 3 1/2 hours from the Twin Cities and 1 1/2 hours from Duluth, MN.
History
“It would be a hard proposition to find a more ideal sightly location for a town, lying as it does, overlooking beautiful Hill Lake, and backed by the magnificent forests of hardwoods.” The sincerity of the words written by Gaylord Huntley, Publisher of Volume 1, Number 1, of the first newspaper dated May 5, 1910, Hill City News, was matched only by the tenacity which characterizes our Hill City forebearers.
The charming City of Hill City owes its very existence to the beauty that surrounds it. In 1900 Al Wandel came to burn the meadows for the Hill City Realty Company. When Al arrived, about all that suggested a future village was the Miller Bros. Logging camp of 7 log buildings situated on Morrison brook (near what is now the intersection of Hwy 169 and 200). The Realty Company composed of James Harper, James Gill, and E.L. Buck originated promotion of this area. They laid out the original nine-block plat of the town site.
Hill Lake is named for the prominent hill in the township. The Ojibway called the area “Pikwadina” or “Piquadinaw”, which translated to “it is hilly”.
Originally functioning under Hill Lake Township, Hill City seceded and became officially incorporated on March 8, 1910.
Bridging the past with the future, Hill City maintains its beauty and its pride. Along with it, without deterring from the small-town atmosphere is the progression of an active community. The friendliness that abounds here will always make you feel right at home.
If you would like more information on the history of Hill City you can to www.rootsweb.com/~mnaitkin/hill_city.htm
Ask any one of our residents, year-round and seasonal, it’s the people, the friendly faces and the feeling of community that beckons and keeps people returning year after year and those that live here wouldn’t live anywhere else.
It’s the pride that shows on the faces of this small community. Plenty of work goes into making sure that everyone enjoys their stay in Hill City…there is always something to do.
Hill City sits in the middle of four main deer hunting blocks. An average of two to three deer per square mile is harvested in the Hill City area.
Two wildlife management areas border two sides of the City. They are Little Hill located six miles West with 1,500 acres: Moose-Willow, located three miles South with 1,800 acres. Both provide good pools for goose and duck. Hunting for ruffed grouse is also a popular sport in the Hill City area.
Hill City offers municipal water, fire/rescue protection and lots of hometown pride.
Recreation
Walking/Biking: There are 4.7 miles of paved walking and biking trails that will take you from beautiful Hill Lake throughout the City.
The City of Hill City has three parks maintained by the City and available for public use.
Bear Park: located on Hwy 169 and Ione Ave with a gazebo. The walking/biking trail also runs parallel to Bear Park.
Ben’s Park: A small park with a swing set is located on Lake Ave across from the post office. The walking/biking Trail runs parallel to Ben’s Park.
Hill Lake Park: Swimming and sun bathing can be enjoyed in the sparkling water and sandy beach. This beautiful, wooded area was donated to the City in September of 1921 for the specific purpose of being a park for the City residents and tourists to enjoy. The park includes rest rooms with shower facilities, picnic shelter, playground, beach, fishing dock and boat landing. It has 10 campsites with electrical hookup and 30 tent sites available call City Hall at (218) 697-2301 for the nightly charge for the camping.
Fishing:
Hill Lake is 907 acres, approximately 4 ½ miles in length. Some of the fish that can be caught in Hill Lake are: Walleye, Crappies, Northern Pike, Bluegills, and Large and Small Mouth Bass.
With all we have going for us you’ll enjoy your stay and maybe call Hill City your HOME!
City of Hill City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider