Hilltop’s century-old homes blend with an emerging small business district
The Hilltop neighborhood goes by many names in Rock Island. Sometimes it's College Hill, sometimes it's College Hilltop or just plain Hilltop. But all of them refer to the same place: a turn-of-the-20th-century neighborhood with a vibrant small business district adjacent to Augustana College. Within the neighborhood, the College Hill business district, founded in 2011, is a collection of sustainable shops, eateries, pubs and a brewery. This four-block area blends the college town with an urban residential community of century-old homes. The 3-square-mile neighborhood is divided into two commercial hubs within seven blocks of each other. It’s only a few miles from downtown Rock Island and, as any of the names suggest, offers views from above the town and the Mississippi River.
“Hilltop is a historic neighborhood of Rock Island, but it’s also evolving,'' says Bob Kelly, Realtor with Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors with 10 years of experience. “There are new restaurants, shops and a locally owned bookstore. College students live here, but they love to play in the district, too. So, walkability is key here.”
Rows of smaller cottages and bungalows are common along Hilltop's steeper streets.
Most Hilltop children attend Rock Island High School's impressive campus.
Longview Park offers Hilltop residents a playground, shelters, aquatic center, and more.
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Early 20th-century classic cottages and American Foursquare homes
Buyers in Hilltop will find early 20th-century homes, from Craftsman-style bungalows and two-bedroom cottages to two-story worker’s cottages and American Foursquare homes. “There’s a real neighborhood feel to Hilltop,” says Kelly. “People who live here take pride in their homes. There’s a nice mix of housing here, with bungalows that could be starter homes or for people who are downsizing.”
Gently rolling streets are made manageable by well-kept sidewalks, which take residents past tidy front lawns set back from tree-lined streets. Driveways are common, but street parking is generally available, too. Ready-to-renovate two-bedroom cottages have recently sold from $20,000 to about $100,000, while Craftsman-style bungalows have sold from $95,000 to $145,000. Renovated American Foursquare homes have recently sold from about $150,000 to $170,000.
Classic craftsman bungalows are common throughout Hilltop.
Hilltop is home to larger two story homes in a number of styles, including classic colonials.
Rows of Foursquares and larger bungalows are a common sight in Hilltop.
Hilltop streets are often an eclectic mix of housing style, color, aesthetic, and finish.
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Long-standing local restaurants and nearby grocery stores
One of the notable features of Hilltop is its location within walking distance of nearby shops and services. In addition to the College Hill District, grocery stores such as Aldi mingle with Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy and fast-food restaurants such as Wendy’s on 18th Avenue. Mulkey’s Restaurant is a family-owned and operated barbecue joint known for homestyle cooking and Henny Penny Chicken. On the other side of the neighborhood, Kavanaugh’s Hilltop Bar and Grill has been open since 1952 and presents sports on TV, live music and free popcorn. There’s an outdoor patio with a 120-inch TV screen.
An Augustana College student launched Cool Beanz Coffee Shop in 2020, which survived the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to thrive today. Patrons can reserve a branded coffee truck to visit locations beyond the shop. Suit You is a men’s clothing store that allows customers to buy, rent or order a custom-designed suit.
Mulkey's is a veteran spot in Hilltop serving up Rock Island classics.
Mulkey's Henny Penny Chicken is a Hilltop favorite.
Hilltop boasts a large, modern HyVee grocery for residents' daily grocery needs.
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Public and parochial schools near Hilltop date to the 1920s
Students can attend public schools in Rock Island School District No. 41, which has a B-Niche grade and eight schools. Denkman Elementary has a B-minus grade from Niche and teaches leadership principles to all students. B-minus graded Washington Junior High focuses on seventh and eighth grades. It offers Project Lead the Way electives for students interested in engineering careers. Rock Island High has a B-minus Niche grade and provides college preparatory and vocational curriculums. Its Art Deco-style building is called Rocky by locals.
Nearby private schools include Jordan Catholic, St. Paul’s Lutheran and Seton Catholic. All three provide prekindergarten through eighth grade. Alleman High is the only Catholic High School in the Illinois Quad Cities area and is located on 40th Street in Rock Island. Augustana College is a private Lutheran liberal arts college located a mile east of Hilltop. Founded in 1860 by Swedish settlers, it offers 100 majors and 28 varsity sports teams.
Longfellow Elementary School promotes diversity and inclusion for Hilltop students.
Washington Junior High School provides a critical step in Hilltop children's education.
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Parks inside and outside Hilltop offer history, recreation and sports
Two city parks are within the neighborhood’s boundaries. Old Horace Mann Park is the smallest, featuring one well-maintained baseball diamond and bleachers. Hauberg Estate Park is adjacent to the historic Hauberg Estate, built in 1909 and the showplace home of philanthropists Susanne Denkmann-Hauberg and John Hauberg. The well-preserved Prairie School-style mansion sits atop a hilltop—per the neighborhood’s name—overlooking lush gardens, a creek, and several repurposed, historic outbuildings. The park itself has a baseball diamond, a sports field, an outdoor ice-skating rink and a playground with green space for picnicking. A half-mile paved bicycle trail winds through the gardens and beside the estate’s creek.
Nearby Hodge Park is a beautiful getaway for Hilltop residents of all ages.
Just blocks away, Longview Park provides Hilltop residents acres of outdoor activities.
Longview Park offers Hilltop residents a playground, shelters, aquatic center, and more.
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Events at historic sites are close to home
Hilltop residents host public and private events at the Hauberg Estate's many indoor and outdoor spaces. Frequent events include weddings, plant sales, garden parties, Valentine’s Day dinners and holiday festivals. Augustana College hosts theater and musical performances, college sports competitions and traditional Swedish festivals throughout the year, including the Joy of Christmas service of worship, music and tree lighting.
Bicycle-friendly Hilltop offers MetroLINK bus stops throughout the neighborhood
Getting around Hilltop and into the rest of Rock Island can be accomplished aboard MetroLINK buses that stop on 14th Avenue and 18th Avenue. Bicyclists will find nearby bike lanes in Hauberg Estate Park and the Augustana College campus. The neighborhood is close to the Rock Island-Milan Parkway and is bordered by major roadways, including 38th Street and Seventh Avenue. Quad Cities International Airport is 5 miles southeast of Hilltop and offers non-stop flights to nine U.S. hubs, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver and Las Vegas.
Hilltop is served by the Quad Cities Metro's 30 Route, offering ready access to downtown.
Hilltop is a bustling neighborhood of older homes and major avenues lined with amenities.
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Hilltop Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Hilltop, Rock Island sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Hilltop, Rock Island over the last 12 months is $120,000, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Move right into this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath home! A brand-new roof was installed August 2026, offering added value and peace of mind for the next owner. The home features a full basement that is open with lots of potential to add more living space, 1 car garage and an enclosed rear porch that provides a convenient mudroom/entry space with access to the fenced backyard that's perfect for pets
2-bed, 1-bath home in Rock Island offering over 1,200 square feet of finished living space and practical updates throughout. The main floor features a spacious living room that flows into a bright dining room, along with a kitchen, full bathroom, and convenient laundry room. Upstairs includes two generously sized bedrooms. The basement provides additional storage space. Durable LVP flooring runs
This beautifully updated 3-bedroom home offers the perfect blend of modern finishes and classic charm in a convenient location near Augustana College. Step inside to discover a fresh, renovated interior featuring updated flooring, basement recently painted, stylish fixtures, and a bright, welcoming layout. Enjoy easy access to shopping, dining, parks, and all that the Quad Cities has to offer.
Move-in ready with major updates already completed! This charming home offers a comfortable layout with thoughtful improvements throughout. Since purchasing the home, the seller has installed a new furnace and central air (2025), relocated the washer and dryer to the main level (2024), and added an all-in-one washer/dryer unit in the upstairs bathroom for added convenience. Additional updates
Back on the market after buyer financing fell through! Don't miss your chance on this opportunity before this one is gone! Welcome to 1536 35th St, Rock Island, IL 61201! This inviting 2-story home offers 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and 1,363 square feet of comfortable living space-perfect for homeowners seeking character, space, and value. Step inside to find a large living room and formal dining
Top-of-the-hill in Rock Island!! This home features an enclosed front porch, an enclosed back porch, three bedrooms with options of up to 5 bedrooms, one full bathroom, main level laundry, rear alley access, and off-street parking. Schedule your showing today!
Many updates throughout this perfect cozy home! New carpet, new electrical panel- this home has been maintained and cared for beautifully. Easily finishable basement, fenced in back yard, generous amount of space to entertain or relax on the back deck. This 2 bed, 1 bath home is ready for its next owner!
Being sold as-is. All square footages, dimensions, sizes and details are taken from county records and are not guaranteed. Buyers shall make own determination as to these specs.
Welcome home! This charming two bedroom Rock Island home sits in a super handy location, blocks from the moline border & minutes to the bridges makes your commute easy! Several updates in the last ten years! House roof & several main level windows 2018, garage roof 2025, furnace 2016, water heater 2020. This property was a rental for ten years with a solid tenant. Wood floors are believed to be
KayLa Forret-MunozHomeSmart Residential and Commercial Realty
Spacious 3Br, 2 bath 2 story with a 1 car garage and fenced yard. This classic home has plenty of charm and character with features like a T stairway, original beveled glass front windows, 9 foot ceilings, original 3/4 oak floors, clawfoot tub and a wood burning fireplace. The unfinished attic area has tall ceilings and has great potential! The basement has plenty of storage area and features a
Main level two bedroom unit in up/down duplex, updated appliances, located next to Augustana College ready to immediate move in. Rent is $900, plus $150 flat utility charge, and option for on-site laundry for $35 per month. Owner is open to a max of two cat with a $250 pet deposit, per cat, no dogs. Security deposit of $900, tenant to maintain lawn and handle snow removal. Will have access to the
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