Hilltop was built in the 1930's shortly after the construction of Hardy Dam. In the beginning, Hilltop was a rural general store. Over the years a restaurant was added along with rental cabins and became known as the Hilltop Resort.
In the 1960's the original building was torn down to make way for a new road. A new building was constructed and kept doing business. The area soon became a recreational haven for fisherman and boaters and business began to grow.
While most prairies are west of the Mississippi there were some short grass prairies in the Mid West.
Today, if you walk down the hill from The Hilltop and follow the sidewalk our over the Hardy Dam you will see prickly pear cactus growing on the grassy side of the dam. The Big Prairie desert came about after the heavy clear cutting from the logging days of the 1800's. Settlers followed the logging movement and their early farming practices combined with the dry conditions due to low rain fall in the Southeast corner of Newaygo County created 4 prairies which originally made up the 10 mile square area known as Big Prairie. It was the soil erosion that created the dust bowl you see pictured here. Read more at the Big Prairie Desert Story Website.
In 1971 Dick and Judy Chesley purchased the store, a pharmacy was added along with more groceries. Many additions were added over the years to keep up with customers needs. A deli was added offering homemade pizza, broaster chicken, and baked goods. Alec and Penny Chesley took over in 2004 as Dick and Judy retired. The store has continued to grow and expand its product line to fulfill its customers needs. The Hilltop Shopping Center has gone through many changes since 1933 but it has always been known as the Hilltop.
The Hilltop-- Your little bit of everything store.
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The Hilltop Today
Here is The Hilltop as
it has looked over
the years.
