Where North Hill is
North Hill sits atop natural bluffs above the St. Croix River in Stillwater. The city's Cultural Landscape District tour names the North Hill neighborhood and starts its story with the Isaac Staples House at 509 North Second Street, at what is now Pioneer Park.
From Pioneer Park you can still see the bowl-shaped basin that Stillwater was built in, according to the same tour.
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Homes in North Hill
Isaac Staples built his house in the 1870s. From the bluff he could look down at his St. Croix Mill, and the height kept the house away from the smoke and noise of the mills. Staples bought the sawmill at 402 Main Street North in 1869.
The city does not publish home ages for North Hill, so we pull them address by address. Across Stillwater, limestone retaining walls hold the edges of many steep streets, some topped with wooden pickets or iron fences. The city's design permit process covers a Neighborhood Conservation District, so we check whether review applies before exterior work.
Parks and places nearby
Pioneer Park, at 515 North Second Street, has a bandshell, a large picnic shelter, a playground, grills, restrooms and walking paths.
The Warden's House at 602 Main Street North dates to 1853 and is one of the oldest homes in Minnesota. It now houses the Washington County Historical Society. Lowell Park and the Lift Bridge are on the riverfront downtown.
Getting around and schools
Stillwater's streets were laid out in a grid with little regard for the steep ground. Public stairs, such as the one on Chestnut Street between North Third and Fourth Streets, link the bluffs with downtown. Route 294, Metro Transit's express bus to St. Paul, has its downtown stop at Water Street and Myrtle Street.
North Hill falls within Stillwater Area Public Schools (District 834), which covers 18 communities along the St. Croix. Boundaries can change, so check the assigned schools for a specific address with the district.
How we help in North Hill
Homes on steep lots can raise questions about grading, retaining walls and drainage, so we read inspection reports and county records with you. Owners on the hill get a value report built from recent sales of comparable homes.
For more on the city around North Hill, see our Stillwater page. You can also read how buying a home works, ask for a home valuation, or contact us about North Hill.
Where these North Hill facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from City of Stillwater: Cultural Landscape District Walking Tour brochure, City of Stillwater: Pioneer Park, City of Stillwater: Downtown Walking Tour brochure, City of Stillwater: Historic Walking Tours, City of Stillwater: Design Review Districts, Metro Transit: Route 294, Stillwater Area Public Schools: District Map and Boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is North Hill in Stillwater?
North Hill is on the bluffs above the St. Croix River in Stillwater. Pioneer Park, at 515 North Second Street, sits on the hill.
What kinds of homes are in North Hill?
The city's tour features the Isaac Staples House from the 1870s. The city does not publish ages for every home, so we check each address.
What park is in North Hill?
Pioneer Park has a bandshell, a picnic shelter, a playground and walking paths.
Which school district serves North Hill?
Stillwater Area Public Schools, District 834, serves this area. We always confirm the assigned schools for the exact address with the district.
How do I check flood zone and property taxes in North Hill?
Use FEMA's flood map and Washington County's property records for the address. We pull both for you.
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