Founded:1879, Pop.:2904, Elev.:1454 ft. Located in the Central Region of the state, in Marion County between McPherson and Marion along Hwy-256 and near where the Cottonwood Rivers join.
Hillsboro is the junction of three historic trails. Pioneers traveled the Gnadenau Trail to colonize the region in 1874. During the 1860s-70s, cattle drives from Texas up the Chisholm Trail near Hillsboro to Abilene. Throughout the 1800s, merchants hauled supplies west along the Santa Fe Trail north and west of Hillsboro.
Special events include: Hillsboro Folk Festival is held every May. A major annual Arts & Crafts Fair is held on the third Saturday in September.
The city park has a full-sized replica of a wind-powered grist mill called the Friesen "Dutch" Mill originally built in 1876. The park also holds an adobe pioneer house used by early Mennonite colonists. Local shops make delicious German sausage.
