James J. Hill House Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

James J. Hill House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
U.S. Historic district Contributing property

The James J. Hill House from the north
Location in Minnesota Show map of Minnesota Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	240 Summit Avenue Saint Paul, Minnesota
Built	1891
Architect	Peabody and Stearns, Mark Fitzpatrick
Architectural style	Richardsonian Romanesque
Part of	Historic Hill District (ID76001067)
NRHP reference No.	66000405
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966
Designated NHL	November 5, 1961

The James J. Hill House is a very large and historic home in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was built by a famous railroad leader named James J. Hill. The house was finished in 1891. It is located near the Cathedral of Saint Paul on Summit Avenue.

This house was once known as the "showcase of St. Paul." It remained so until James J. Hill passed away in 1916. Today, it is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. The Minnesota Historical Society takes care of it. The house has about 36,000 square feet of living space. Its total size is over 44,500 square feet.

Building the Hill House
- Designing the House
Inside the Hill House
- Rooms on Each Floor
Later Years of the House
Photo gallery
See also

Building the Hill House

James J. Hill bought three plots of land on Summit Avenue in 1882. This was a time when many rich people wanted to build fancy homes there. The street offered amazing views of downtown St. Paul and the Mississippi River. This made it a very popular spot.

The Hill family used to live in the Lowertown area. But new warehouses and train tracks made that area crowded. Also, Hill's large collection of paintings and sculptures was getting too big for their old house. So, the family decided it was time to move.

Hill also knew that new home technologies were available. These included electric lights, better plumbing, and fireproofing. He wanted these modern features in his new home. Building a grand new house would also show his important place in the community. He was known as the "Empire Builder" for his work with railroads.

Designing the House

An architecture firm from the East Coast, Peabody, Stearns and Furber, designed the house. Most other homes in the area were designed by local architects. The Hill House was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. This style looks very strong and solid. It uses large, rough stone blocks, thick pillars, and rounded arches. It also has a strong horizontal look.

James J. Hill watched the design and building process very closely. For example, when a company sent designs for the stained glass windows, Hill did not like them. He said they were "anything but what I want." So, another company got the job. Later, in 1889, Hill even fired the architects. This happened because they had changed his orders to the stonecutters. He then hired a different firm to finish the project.

Just before it was completed in 1891, a local newspaper wrote about the house. It said the home was "Solid, substantial, roomy, and comfortable." It also noted that there was "no attempt at display." The newspaper called it "impressive, fine, even grand in the simplicity of design."

Inside the Hill House

Pipe organ in the art gallery

The inside of the house is very impressive. It has a special art gallery. This gallery held Hill's large collection of paintings and sculptures. It even had a pipe organ. This was added after someone told Hill that other wealthy people had organs in their homes.

The house had a mix of gas and electric lights. There were switches on the walls to turn on the electric lights. But there were no electrical outlets. This is because electricity was only used for lighting back then.

The woodwork throughout the house is very detailed. The central hallway, dining room, and music room have hand-carved wood. Other rooms, especially on the second floor where the family lived, have beautiful, richly colored wood. The formal dining room even had gold leaf on its ceiling.

The grand staircase

Rooms on Each Floor

The first floor had the art gallery, music room, and dining room. It also had a library, a drawing room, and Mr. Hill's office.

The second floor was where Mr. and Mrs. Hill had their rooms. There were also two guest rooms. Their five daughters, Gertrude, Rachel, Clara, Ruth, and Charlotte, also had rooms on this floor.

The third floor was for their sons, James, Walter, and Louis. Louis later became president of the Great Northern Railway, just like his father. This floor also had a room used as a gym and schoolroom for the children. Plus, there were living areas for the servants.

Later Years of the House

James J. Hill passed away in 1916. His wife died in 1921. Their children eventually moved out of the house. In 1925, four of the daughters bought the house from the family estate. They then gave it to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

The church used the house for 53 years. It served as offices, homes, and a college for women teachers. The church took good care of the house. They did not make many big changes. However, most of the original furniture was sold during this time.

In 1961, the United States Department of the Interior named the house a National Historic Landmark. The Minnesota Historical Society took over the house in 1978. This happened after the church moved its offices. The house has been restored and is now open for tours.