[10] The city almost became a ghost town when miners relocated to the northern Black Hills after the discovery of gold there.

The Harney Peak Tin Mining, Milling, and Manufacturing Company made its headquarters on Main Street.

As mining grew, the city became known for its wild living and was once referred to as "a town with a church on each end and a mile of Hell in between."

The company built the Harney Peak Hotel on Main Street to entertain its management and executives.

Among those who battled the blaze was Hill City High School's entire basketball squad, as well as several teachers and administrators.

The United States Forest Service named the school boys one of the best crews who fought the fire.

[7][12][13] The Black Hills Institute of Geological Research opened in 1973 and is involved in the excavation and display of dinosaur and other fossils.

[14] In 1992, the institute was engaged in a legal battle over ownership of the Tyrannosaurus rex fossil named "Sue".

The High Line extended from Edgemont north through Hill City and terminated in Deadwood.

The Black Hills Central Railroad restores era-style locomotives and train cars.

It has been featured on television shows such as the Gunsmoke episode "Snow Train", General Hospital, and the TNT mini-series Into the West.

After discovery, excavation, and transport to the institute's facilities in Hill City, controversy arose as to who the rightful owners of the fossil were.

The parties in dispute were the land owner, Maurice Williams; the tribe, and thus the federal government; and the Black Hills Institute.

The federal government later brought a 39-count, 153-charge indictment against the institute and several of its members, which was related to this case and other fossils.

This case turned into the longest criminal trial in South Dakota state history.

Peter Larson, the president of the institute, was convicted on two counts of customs violations, for which he served two years in federal prison.

[20] The climate of Hill City is dry, with an average of 20 inches (510 mm) of precipitation annually.

[29] The Pennington Country Sheriff's Department has allocated three deputies to serve the Hill City area.

Rushmore Forest Products used to operate a lumber mill outside of town and was the area's largest employer until it closed down in 2021.Tourism is enabled by Hill City's proximity to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Several local attractions, restaurants, souvenir shops, and art galleries cater to those visiting the area.

RMA & Associates, a telecommunications company responsible for telephone surveying, has a call center in Hill City.

The Hill City Schools made AYP under the No Child Left Behind Legislation at every grade level and at every subgroup.

The museum is also a leading contributor to Hill City's Natural History Days celebration that focuses on fun and education, with guest speakers, and a fossil hunt for children.

The museum has worked to collect and preserve equipment used of mining in the Black Hills and hosts a one-stamp gold mill.

[39] Although people of many faiths live in Hill City, five groups have established church buildings in town.

[41] High School Boys compete in basketball, football, track and field, cross country, and wrestling.

High School Girls compete in basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, track and field, cross country, and golf.

Outdoor Sports popular in the area include hiking, mountain climbing, snowmobiling and dogsled racing.

Hill City is the ninth trailhead on the George S. Mickelson Trail that runs from Deadwood, to Edgemont.

Two snowmobiling magazines have rated the Black Hills as one of the best places to ride in North America.