The Hilltop colony was originally an old mansion, barn, and blacksmith shop deep within the Virginia woods, outside of Washington DC. The site had become a museum, and after the outbreak, the Federal Emergency Management Agency used the location as a staging ground to help combat the infection. It brought in several trailers and supplies but eventually abandoned the area. Some survivors remained, and a man named Gregory took over as the group's leader. Using the surrounding trees, they began to put up a wall around their structures and were protected from walkers.
Eventually, the Saviors came across Hilltop and demanded that they give them half of all of the Hilltop supplies. They agreed, but to make their point perfectly clear, the Saviors killed a teenage boy. They would continue to show up regularly, demanding half of everything Hilltop had.
While out scavenging, a Hilltop resident named Jesus comes across Rick and Daryl, who had just acquired a large truck full of supplies. He attempts to steal it from them, but his plan eventually fails and he is captured and taken to Alexandria. After observing Rick and his group, Jesus decides to lead Rick and company to Hilltop, believing that the two colonies could work together. Once they spend time in Hilltop, the groups become allies in the fight against the Saviors.
