Hillsdale
Around Hillsdale
Photo: Notorious4life (talk) (Uploads) · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Michigan · 45k people
Hillsdale
Where countryside and scholarship meet.
Hillsdale Blue
Welcome to Hillsdale, where small-town charm meets the great outdoors. Whether you're here for the college, the lake, or the friendly faces, you'll find a community that feels like home.
Clubs for Hillsdale
No clubs for Hillsdale yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hillsdale. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hillsdale. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Hillsdale College campus Historic liberal arts college with a classic campus
- Baw Beese Lake Popular for fishing, boating, and swimming
- Slayton Arboretum Peaceful gardens on the college campus, open to the public
- Hillsdale County Courthouse Historic courthouse in downtown Hillsdale
- Hillsdale County Fairgrounds Hosts the annual county fair
- Outdoors Fishing and boating on Baw Beese Lake
- Outdoors Apple picking at local orchards
- With kids Visit the Hillsdale County Fair
- With kids Go apple picking at local orchards
- Evenings Local pub trivia
- Evenings College theater productions
- Locals love Farm stands
- Locals love Orchards
Through the year
- Hillsdale County Fair September The big annual fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Hillsdale College Homecoming October Football game and campus festivities, open to the public.
- Hillsdale Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown with floats and lights.
Hillsdale has four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best: Late spring through early fall, especially September for mild temps and fall colors.
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Hillsdale Chargers NCAA Division II
Also rooting for Detroit Lions (NFL), Detroit Tigers (MLB), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Pistons (NBA)
Eat and drink
- Apple cider and cider doughnuts Local orchards and farm stands are a staple of autumn.
- Small-town diner breakfasts Classic greasy-spoon fare in local cafes.
- Locally made honey From area beekeepers
- Farm-fresh eggs From local farms
- Homemade pies At diners and farm stands
Where people go
- Hillsdale College campus A landmark with historic buildings and a central quad.
- Baw Beese Lake A local lake for fishing, boating, and picnics.
- Small-town main streets Classic Americana with independent shops and cafes.
- Farmland and orchards Rolling fields and apple orchards define the landscape.
Heritage and traditions
Hillsdale is proud of its tight-knit small-town communities, its historic liberal arts college, and its deep agricultural roots, where the county fair and apple orchards mark the rhythm of the year.
This time of year in Hillsdale
- Apple picking and cider season September-October Fall brings orchards open for picking and fresh cider.
- Hillsdale College Homecoming Fall Alumni return for football, parades, and campus traditions.
Say it like a local: “Party store” — A liquor store, often with a wide selection of beer and wine.
Festivals
- Hillsdale County Fair August A classic agricultural fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Hillsdale College Homecoming Fall Alumni return for football, parades, and campus traditions.
- Hillsdale Christmas Parade December A downtown parade with lights, floats, and Santa.
- Baw Beese Lake Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts on the lake, a summer staple.
- Hillsdale 4th of July Celebration July Fireworks, a parade, and community picnic at the lake.
- Jonesville Heritage Days Summer A small-town festival with craft booths, food, and music.
Landmarks with a story
- Hillsdale College campus Founded in 1844, the campus features historic buildings and the Liberty Walk.
- Hillsdale County Courthouse A 19th-century courthouse in the center of town, a local landmark.
- Hillsdale County Historical Museum Housed in a historic building, it preserves local artifacts and stories.
- First Presbyterian Church of Hillsdale A historic church with beautiful stained glass, dating back to the 1800s.
- Sauk Trail An ancient Native American trail that runs through the county, now a scenic road.
- Slayton Arboretum A 100-acre arboretum on the Hillsdale College campus, with trails and gardens.
Food traditions
- Apple cider and doughnuts Made from local orchards, a fall favorite at every cider mill.
- Small-town diner breakfasts Hearty eggs, pancakes, and coffee at local diners, a morning ritual.
- Locally made honey Beekeepers sell at farmers markets, a sweet taste of the countryside.
- Farm-fresh eggs Many families keep chickens or buy from neighbors, a farm-to-table staple.
- Homemade pies Apple, cherry, and pecan pies at church bake sales and fairs.
Music and arts
- Hillsdale College music and theatre The college hosts concerts, plays, and art exhibits open to the public.
- Community band concerts Summer concerts at the courthouse or park, featuring local musicians.
- Barn quilts Colorful quilt patterns painted on barns, a rural art tradition.
- Craft fairs Local artisans sell quilts, woodwork, and handmade goods at seasonal fairs.
A little history
- 1835 Hillsdale County organized
- 1844 Hillsdale College founded
- 1850s Underground Railroad stops in the area
- 1870s Railroad reaches Hillsdale, boosting trade
- 1900s Growth of dairy and grain farming
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Hillsdale Chargers college football
- Outdoors Fishing and boating on Baw Beese Lake
- Outdoors Apple picking at local orchards
- With kids Visit the Hillsdale County Historical Museum
- With kids Go to the Hillsdale County Fair
People speak with a fairly neutral Midwestern accent, but you'll hear 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group. The Northern Cities Vowel Shift is present but subtle.
Only here
- Baw Beese Lake is named after a Potawatomi chief, a nod to the area's Native American heritage.
- Hillsdale College's Liberty Walk features statues of famous figures like Washington and Lincoln.
- The county fair is one of the oldest in Michigan, with roots in the 1800s.
- The Sauk Trail, an ancient Native American path, runs right through town.
New here? A few tips
- Invest in a warm coat – winters are cold and snowy.
- The pace is slow; people are friendly and will wave to you on the street.
- Try the apple cider and doughnuts in the fall – it's a local rite of passage.
- Say 'pop' for soda, and 'ope' when you bump into someone.
- The county fair in August is a big deal – don't miss it.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaColdwaterMichiganSmall-town charm on the waterJacksonMichiganWhere the Cascades glow and the Irish Hills roll.AngolaIndianaWhere the lakes are many and the pace is slow.AdrianMichiganWhere the maples meet the lakes, and everyone waves hello.BryanOhioHeart of the Black SwampBattle CreekMichiganWhere every morning is a traditionSturgisMichiganWhere country roads meet small-town charm.AuburnIndianaA small town with a big love for the classics.
Hillsdale, MI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.