Killeen history

The city of Killeen, located in the central part of the state of Texas, owes its existence to the development of the railway network in the region. Its history is a vivid example of how transport infrastructure can become a catalyst for the growth and prosperity of an entire settlement.

The history of Killeen began in 1881, when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway company purchased a plot of land southwest of the small farming community of Palo Alto. On this territory, the company founded a new city, which received its name in honour of Frank Killeen, one of the railway executives. Within a year, a depot, several shops, a saloon, and a school were built here. Thanks to its advantageous location on the railway line, residents from neighbouring settlements began moving to Killeen.

The growth of the city was determined by several key factors:

• Transport Hub: From the very beginning, Killeen became an important centre for shipping agricultural products, such as cotton, wool, and grain, from the western part of Bell County and the eastern part of Coryell County.
• Infrastructure Development: In the early 20th century, local authorities succeeded in building bridges across creeks, which allowed the city's trade zone to double in size. In 1914, the public water supply system was launched.
• Military Presence: The decisive push for development was the creation of the Camp Hood military base (later Fort Hood, and now Fort Cavazos) in 1942 for the needs of World War II. This attracted thousands of workers, builders, and military families to the region, transforming Killeen into a thriving military city and fundamentally changing its economy.

Initially, Killeen's economy was agrarian. By 1884, two gristmills, two cotton gins, a lumberyard, and a blacksmith shop were already operating in the city. The population grew steadily: from 350 people in 1884 to nearly 1,300 by 1914. Until the 1940s, Killeen remained a relatively small farming trade centre. With the advent of the military base, the agrarian sector gave way to an economy oriented towards serving the needs of the military, which determined the modern appearance of the city.

Timeline of Killeen's History

The history of Killeen is a journey from a small railway settlement to a major city whose destiny is inextricably linked with one of the main US military bases. Key events reflect the stages of this transformation.

• 1881 — The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway company buys land in central Texas to build a new city, named after one of the company's executives, Frank Killeen.
• 1882 — The first important facilities appear in the new settlement: a railway depot, several shops, a school, and a saloon, attracting residents from neighbouring communities.
• 1884 — The population of Killeen reaches 350 people; two gristmills, a lumberyard, and two cotton gins are already operating in the city, testifying to its establishment as a local agricultural centre.
• 1905 — Thanks to the efforts of local authorities, bridges are built across creeks, allowing the city's trade zone to expand twofold.
• 1914 — A public water supply is launched in Killeen, and the population rises to 1,300 residents.
• 1942 — The US government announces the creation of the Camp Hood military base (later Fort Hood) to train troops for participation in World War II, which radically changes the city's economy and social landscape.
• 1950 — Camp Hood receives the status of a permanent military base, cementing Killeen's role as an important military centre and stimulating its further growth.
• 1958 — Elvis Presley arrives for service at Fort Hood, drawing nationwide attention to the city.
• 1970s — A municipal airport, college, and library open in the city, indicating the development of civilian infrastructure.
• 2023 — Fort Hood military base is officially renamed Fort Cavazos in honour of General Richard E. Cavazos, the first Hispanic four-star general in the US Army.

Key Stages of Killeen's Development

Killeen's history is a vivid example of how a single strategic decision can completely change a city's destiny, transforming it from a small agrarian centre into a major urban hub. The main milestones of its development demonstrate this transformation.

• Foundation as a Railway Hub (1881-1882): The city was founded by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to service a new line. This event laid the foundation for future growth, making Killeen a point of attraction for residents of neighbouring farming communities and a centre for shipping agricultural produce such as cotton and grain.
• Establishment as an Agrarian Centre (Late 19th – Early 20th Century): In the first decades of its existence, the city's economy was entirely focused on agriculture. By 1884, cotton gins, gristmills, and a lumberyard were functioning here, reinforcing its status as an important trading point for surrounding farms.
• Creation of Camp Hood Military Base (1942): A turning point in the city's history was the founding of a military base to train troops for World War II. This event radically changed the economic and social landscape: the agrarian economy gave way to a service sector oriented towards the needs of tens of thousands of military personnel and builders.
• Gaining Permanent Military Base Status (1950): After the war, the base, renamed Fort Hood, became a permanent troop deployment location. This secured Killeen's status as a "military city" and ensured a stable influx of population and long-term investment in the region.
• Development of Civilian Infrastructure (1970s): Against the backdrop of continuing population growth, the city actively developed its own infrastructure. Central Texas College, a municipal airport, and a city library opened. These steps marked Killeen's transformation into a fully-fledged city with a developed social and cultural sphere, rather than just an appendage to the military base.
• Economic Diversification (Late 20th – Early 21st Century): Although Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos) remains the main employer, the city's economy is gradually diversifying. Retail trade, the service sector, healthcare, and education are developing, making the city less dependent on a single source of income.
• Renaming the Base to Fort Cavazos (2023): The official renaming of the largest US military base in honour of General Richard E. Cavazos became an important symbolic event. It reflects modern trends in the American army and society, and also highlights the cultural diversity of the region.

The architectural appearance of Killeen is a direct reflection of its young and rapid history. Unlike cities with a centuries-old past, you will not find Gothic, Renaissance, or Baroque styles here. Urban planning development was entirely determined by pragmatic needs: first the railway, and then the largest military base. Therefore, the key styles here are functionalism, mid-20th-century modernism, and contemporary suburban architecture.

Early Stage: Railway Functionalism (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)

Founded in 1881 as a railway hub, Killeen was initially built up with simple and functional buildings. The architecture of this period was typical for Texas towns of that time: wooden and brick one- and two-story commercial structures, a railway depot, cotton gins, and warehouses. The main task was to ensure the operation of the transport hub and the needs of the growing farming community. Practically no historical buildings from that era have survived, as the city's focus shifted sharply in the mid-20th century.

Era of Military Construction (1940s – 1970s)

The construction of the Camp Hood military base (now Fort Cavazos) in 1942 had a decisive influence on the city's appearance. This period is characterized by two main directions:

• Utilitarian Military Architecture: On the base itself and around it, standard barracks, administrative buildings, and warehouses were erected, where function completely prevailed over form.
• Post-War Boom and Modernism: Sharp population growth led to mass housing construction. The dominant style for private homes became ranch-style — single-story, horizontally oriented houses that became a symbol of the American suburb. In public buildings, such as schools and the first churches built in the 1950s, traits of Mid-century modern can be traced with its simple lines, large windows, and lack of decoration.

Modern Development (Late 20th – 21st Century)

Modern Killeen is a typical American city whose development followed the path of suburbanization. Its architectural landscape is defined by:

• Commercial Corridors: Long streets lined with shopping centres, fast-food restaurants, and shops in standard, easily recognizable commercial buildings.
• Public Buildings: Facilities such as the Central Texas College campus and the modern municipal complex demonstrate later architectural approaches oriented towards functionality and the use of modern materials (glass, concrete, metal).
• Residential Areas: New residential quarters consist mainly of model homes reflecting the modern tastes of the American middle class, with an emphasis on comfort and privacy.

Thus, Killeen's architecture is not a history of styles, but a chronicle of growth dictated by economic and social factors, where each stage left its functional, rather than decorative, mark.

Elvis Presley

Role: Musician, actor, "King of Rock and Roll".

Connection to the City: Although Elvis Presley was not a native of Killeen, his stay here in 1958 during his army service at Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos) was a landmark event for the city. He lived in Killeen, attracted nationwide attention to the city, and left a noticeable mark on its cultural history.

Jackie Robinson

Role: Legendary baseball player, the first African American in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era.

Connection to the City: In 1944, during World War II, Lieutenant Jackie Robinson served at the Camp Hood military base. It was here that an incident occurred on an army bus when he refused to move to the back, leading to a court-martial and subsequent acquittal. This act of civil disobedience became an important moment in his fight for racial equality, long before his sporting fame.

Burna Boy (Damini Ogulu)

Role: Nigerian singer, Grammy winner, world-class star in the Afrobeats genre.

Connection to the City: One of the most influential modern musicians, Burna Boy, spent part of his childhood in Killeen. Although he was born in Nigeria, the experience of living in the USA, particularly in Texas, influenced his musical and cultural worldview.

Tia and Tamera Mowry

Role: Actresses, producers.

Connection to the City: The twin sisters, famous for the sitcom "Sister, Sister", were born in Gelnhausen (Germany), where their father was serving in the US Army at the time. However, their family later moved to Texas, and the sisters began participating in talent contests while living at Fort Hood. Thus, the early stage of their creative path is connected specifically with Killeen. Their story is a typical example for many families whose lives are connected with the military base.

Mike Stulce

Role: Track and field athlete, Olympic champion.

Connection to the City: Mike Stulce was born in Killeen and is one of the most titled athletes to come out of this city. He won the gold medal in shot put at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, bringing fame to his hometown on the world stage.