Killeen, TX: A Military Town with a Heart

Killeen, Texas was founded in 1870 by a group of settlers who came to the area to establish a farming community. The town was originally called Palo Alto, but it was renamed Killeen in 1881 after Frank P. Killeen, a railroad official who helped to plat the town. Killeen grew slowly for its first few decades, but it began to grow rapidly in the early 1900s after the discovery of oil in the area. The town's population doubled between 1900 and 1920, and it continued to grow steadily throughout the 20th century.
In 1942, Fort Hood was established near Killeen. The military base has had a major impact on the town, and it is now the largest employer in the area. Killeen is now a thriving city with a population of over 150,000 people.
Purchase my latest walking guidebooks and journals: amzn.to/3mqDZJJ
Interactive Map of all my walking videos: bit.ly/2HQSpDS
Instagram: / wanderingwalksofwonder
Facebook: / wanderingwonderwalking
Pinterest: pin.it/5mNUwqD

[@multitieredinvestor183]

I live in the next city to the west. Only go into Killeen when absolutely necessary. My town is Copperas Cove.

[@AlfredCurry-n1d]

DAMM I miss my home

[@multitieredinvestor183]

Central Texas College has the largest junior college enrollment in the world. Most of their are students on military posts and ships afloat. M

[@WanderingWalksofWonder]

Wow! I didn't realize that. That is so cool to learn about.

[@Steve33-c4o]

Developers moved in and started building cookie cutter homes like CENTEX. You need pretty much rebuild your own home with sidings and add installation in which was missing.

[@timinwsac]

Was stationed at Fort Hood from 1971 to 1973. Looks like they cleaned up Avenue D quite a bit.

[@WanderingWalksofWonder]

Thanks. Probably a lot of changes over time I imagine.

[@Mr_Mojo_Risin]

Yep, no more hookers hanging out on Avenue D, the bus station or the corner book store. Golden Cue, Golden Triangle pool halls all closed down. Downtown is really a ghost town nowadays.

[@mickehogan3230]

Don't forget to mention the lubys massacre