Hill City

In 1939, a group of children in the Hill District began to gain national attention. With the help of a local detective, they were able to form their own “municipality within a municipality” known as Hill City. This municipality was known as “the social force of the community” and created a model of how social action can empower youth to make a positive change in their community.

Police Detective Howard McKinney founded Hill City on June 4, 1939, and modeled it after a similar experiment in Columbus, Ohio. Miniature cities or miniature municipalities were used as a tool for urban reform during the 1890s in an attempt to aid immigrant populations in poor districts of New York. They had faded out of popularity for a while, but during the Great Depression, concerns grew again about growing juvenile crime rates in urban communities. This time, however, instead of being implemented into immigrant housing settlements, it was used for Black urban communities like the Hill District which were facing extreme struggle during the Great Depression. The idea was that if the children of the Hill District were given responsibility over themselves and their peers, it would curb crime and save the community money. The miniature municipality, Hill City, was similar to an after school club that was set up in a building. Children would run their own city and hold councils and trials. This government would make decisions for where money would go- whether it was to recreational activities or paying the building’s light bill. Hill City’s main goals were to cut down on petty crime in the area, help teach children responsibility and give them something to do after school. Over 1,800 Black and white children had joined the municipality, and all of the official positions were elected by and held by children.  McKinney served primarily as an advisory position and guided these elected officials through policy and court hearings.

Howard McKinney originally started Hill City with his own money. He had framed Hill City as a project where children would be accountable for each other and looking out for each other instead of monitoring and targeting each other. He had believed that children were integral to the future of the Hill District and was deeply passionate about making sure that they grew up to be responsible adults. However, as Hill City started to gain the attention of the Pittsburgh City Council, it started to receive funding from the city of Pittsburgh. Every month, a $50 check would be sent to the Hill City Hall that would allow the members to heat and light the building as well as pay a phone and stationary bill. No purchases could be made in Hill City without prior approval from the Hill City Council, which was made up of children ranging from ages 12 to 19.

One of the most impressive aspects of Hill City was the judicial system, which held court at 2038 Wylie Avenue every Saturday. This system was so interesting that it attracted politicians to come and watch the court proceedings. If a child were caught committing a petty crime or partaking in gang activity, the police would turn the child over to Hill City instead of sending them to juvenile prison. Once in court, they would be tried by a judge, who was usually an older teenage Hill City member,  as well as a jury made up of Hill City youth. If found guilty, the accused youth would then be sentenced to “hard labor” such as mopping, washing dishes, or other various housekeeping items around the municipality.

Hill City did two things for the Hill District: it saved the city of Pittsburgh money and created a society where children were uplifted and given importance and responsibility. It cost the city of Pittsburgh thousands of dollars to combat the crime seen in the Hill District. City officials and parents praised Hill City for giving underserved children better opportunities at a time when racial bias was rampant in urban areas. According to James M. Reid, a writer for the Pittsburgh Courier who wrote a series on Hill City, “Fewer fire alarms save thousands of dollars, storekeepers say thefts are reduced 63 per cent, ugly landmarks are beautified, health and recreation programs are promoted...”

Hill City was one of many programs that were ended during the urban renewal movement of the 1950s and 60s. The municipality was unable to relocate and therefore faded out of its existence. Now, its legacy is a testament to how children can create a city that is built on community and betterment.

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