Hill City is located on the North side of the Tennessee River, very close to Downtown Chattanooga and at the foot of Stringer's Ridge. The majority of homes are bungalow style, built in the early to mid-1900's. Following the end of the Civil war, Hill City was known as "Camp Contraband," one of several Union camp sites across Tennessee that offered asylum for former and escaped slaves. With an influx of this population, Hill City became one of the first African American neighborhoods in Chattanooga. The Nealis's purchased the house in 1940 as newlyweds right before Elijah Nealis was shipped off to fly and captain a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress. As a dream Rose Nealis wanted to run the smaller house as a bed-and-breakfast. She did so alone, while Elijah was away at war. Feel free to sign and read Captain Elijah Nealis's field journal in the hallway to follow The Nealis House story through his time in battle.
