Overview of Eau Claire's East Hill Neighborhood

Eau Claire’s East Hill Neighborhood

Above: A section of trail linking Boyd and Archery Parks.

Geographical range

Northern border – Eau Claire River

Eastern Border: US Business Hwy 53 / Hastings Way

Southern Border: Brackett Avenue

Eastern Border: Eau Claire Downtown Business District

In the West end of the neighborhood, the homes tend to be older. Some were built as early as 1876 and have design elements that borrow from Queen Anne, Victorian, and Italianate styles. Some East Hill homes remain single-family homes; some have been divided into duplexes. The West side of the neighborhood is only about a 15-minute walk to the UW-Eau Claire campus. The West end of the neighborhood borders Downtown Eau Claire and all of its attractions.

As you move through the neighborhood to the East, the houses tend to get newer. Or at least, they are not quite as old. In the central part of the neighborhood, many homes were built in the 1920s – 1930s. Many of these homes are compact 3 bedroom units in the Cape Cod or Prairie styles. The East Side of the East Hill Neighborhood is characterized by World War II era homes in ranch, 1.5-story, and 2-story styles.

Boyd and Archery Parks are the nicest parks in the neighborhood. A brand new bridge over the Eau Claire River at Boyd Park was just built in 2006, as was the new pavillion and warming hut. Boyd Park has a skating rink in the winter months. Archery Park is about a mile upriver from Boyd Park. Archery Park does contain an area where people brush up on their bow and arrow skills. It also has the coolest walking trail in the city. The Archery Park hiking trail winds up and over the bluffs along the Eau Claire River. The trail is narrow and very steep in places.  Boyd and Archery Park are connected via the trail and a new prairie restoration project.

Flynn Elementary School is located right in the neighborhood. It is the newest school in the Eau Claire Area School District, built in the summer of 2002.

Eau Claire’s East Hill neighborhood might be the most desirable starter neighborhood in the city. Houses are generally well maintained and most are owner-occupied. There is a great sense of community on the East Hill…perhaps because the lots are small (60 x 125 is common). With lots that small, life is just much easier when you get along with your neighbor! Turnover rate is fairly high because of the affordability of the homes for first-time homeowners and because folks are continually moving on to bigger homes in other parts of town.

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