Hardwick is a city in Rock County, Minnesota, United States. Hardwick was platted in 1892, and named after J. L. Hardwick, a railroad officia…Hardwick is a city in Rock County, Minnesota, United States. Hardwick was platted in 1892, and named after J. L. Hardwick, a railroad official. The city is known throughout the region for its immense stray cat population. As of 2018, stray cats outnumbered human residents of the city. A post office has been in operation at Hardwick since 1891. Hardwick was incorporated in 1898.