A West Hill Oasis

The part of town out west that starts a slow incline just past Lincoln Elementary School has been know as West Hill since about when Aberdeen started. At 8-12 feet higher than Downtown, it was platted to be a suburb of Aberdeen with the aim of attracting Aberdeen’s elite. Houses were to sit on large lots, with lots of room for lush lawns and landscaping. Some of Aberdeen’s elite did build homes there, but it wasn’t long before they grew tired of the muddy slough at the bottom of West Hill’s hill. So, they moved their houses into town. Eventually the area was carved up into much smaller lots and were sold over the years. Now, the neighborhood is quiet, lush with old-growth trees, and full of modest size homes and lots of families. One such family is the Kelly Miller family who has called West Hill home since 1994. Kelly is known far and wide in the Aberdeen community as a one-man caterer (although he does often have lots of help) who specializes in one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. In fact, each year for NSU’s gala fundraiser, Northern Night, he donates a dining experience for a small group. And where does he host this event? In his back yard.

The Miller’s house sits adjacent to an empty lot that they also own. Kelly has transformed the back half of both lots into an urban oasis full of lush greenery, whimsical décor, themed sitting areas, fountains, and bowling balls. He has incorporated so many different materials, textures, plants, trees, structures, and pathways to tease the eye at every glance. If you wander the pathways one way, you get a totally different experience going the other way. He affectionately calls his oasis the The Gardens of West Hill. While he isn’t set up to be a venue, he does often host weddings, receptions, parties, anniversaries, club gatherings, and much more for close friends and relatives. “It’s a great space to share with others,” he comments.

Many of the items in his garden are flea market finds, auction buys, dumpster treasures, and things that people brought him, thinking he’d find a place for it in his garden. His galvanized garden section has more pots and watering cans than Running’s farm section. Sprinklers become collectables, bird houses are everywhere, and bowling balls replace gazing balls mounted on iron rods (gazing balls break too easy, Kelly says. Bowling balls don’t).

Kelly has a very laze faire sense about him when it comes to weather. When asked how his garden fairs in a windstorm he replies, “It is what it is,” implying he just puts things back. When T.C. Gage (L. Frank Baum’s brother-in-law) platted West Hill, his intent was that it was a distance from the city, where one could relax, have fresh air and quiet from the bustling, coal-fired city. While the city has grown up around Kelly’s house and all of West Hill, his garden is contained and remote enough to still be overcome with serenity, and if you’re lucky, some pretty tasty treats too. //