Over the years, the Black Hills neighborhood has steadily continued to grow into a quaint welcoming community. With over 350 homes in the neighborhood, there are plenty of great options for your housing needs. Fitting into a 15-square block radius, the Black Hills neighborhood has a great history behind how it got its name.

In the 1900’s, immigrants from all over Europe began to settle the area working the rail yards and local factories. Before the neighborhood was developed into what you see now, the area was full of black walnut trees. People from Chicago would travel hours in their horse and buggy to come and collect the black walnuts from these famous trees. Since there were so many black walnut trees in the community when the neighborhood was formally established they named it after these famous trees.

Grand Rapids is often referred to as the Furniture City and there have been a few furniture companies in the Black Hills neighborhood. Stickley Brother’s Furniture Company built in 1910 was the first of several companies to make furniture in the neighborhood. Closed for good in 1954, this building was later demolished but there are still great photographs and memories in their archives. Constructed in 1915, the Luce Furniture Company built their warehouse location and to this day the building is still in the Black Hills neighborhood. Currently calling the Luce Furniture Company building their home, Bosh’s Reef is a fresh and saltwater fish store that also carries coral for your fish tank.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Located just across the street from the Black Hills neighborhood, Clemente Park is a great area to enjoy the outdoors. Almost 12-acres in size, this park has a soccer field, baseball diamond, and a picnic shelter for enjoying an outdoor meal. Right next to the park is the Clemente skate park open to the public to use as a skateboarding facility.

Only a short distance away from downtown Grand Rapids, the Black Hills neighborhood is close enough for a short drive into town to enjoy the amenities. The neighborhood has a few great amenities of its own like the Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters which is located in the Johnson Furniture Company building which is over 100-years-old. At Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters, they strive to provide a delicious cup of coffee and a relaxing atmosphere for their patrons. Stop by on a Saturday for a lesson in their roasting process and samples of freshly brewed coffee.

Stop by Sabor Latino in the Black Hills neighborhood to enjoy delicious and authentic Latin cuisine. This vibrant eatery offers a variety of dishes that bring the flavors of Latin America to Grand Rapids. Whether you're in the mood for tacos, empanadas, or a hearty plate of arroz con pollo, Sabor Latino has something to satisfy your taste buds.

Also located just outside the Black Hills neighborhood, the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC building is part of Grand Rapids Community College. As a part of GRCC, this building is designed to give students who attend an advantage in careers within the manufacturing field at an affordable rate.