Killeen, Texas

Reading Time: 6 minutes

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Geographic Coordinates: 31.075300, -97.729700

Climate: Killeen has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The city experiences frequent thunderstorms and occasional snowfall during winter months.

Population: 238288

Language: English

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Killeen, Located in Bell County, Texas, Is a city in the heart of Central Texas and part of the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metropolitan area. The population is approximately 150, 000 people and covers an area of around 56 square miles. The city has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s when it was founded as a small farming community. However, It wasn’t until the arrival of Camp Hood (now Fort Hood) during World War II that Killeen began to grow rapidly.

Today, Fort Hood remains one of the largest military installations globally and plays an essential role in shaping Killeen’s economy and culture. Killeen’s downtown area is one of its most notable attractions with various shops, Restaurants, Bars, And entertainment venues catering to both locals and visitors alike. The city also hosts several annual events throughout the year including music festivals, Art shows, Parades among others.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities like fishing or boating or just enjoying a day on the water with family or friends while hiking enthusiasts can explore many trails at Dana Peak Park or Chalk Ridge Falls Park. The educational institutions range from elementary schools to colleges such as Central Texas College which offers over 100 programs for students seeking higher education opportunities.

In terms of transportation options within the city limits itself there are bus services available through Hill Country Transit District while major highways like I-35 provide easy access to other parts across Texas making travel convenient for residents or visitors alike. Overall, Killleen might be best known for its strong military heritage but it’s increasingly becoming recognized for its diverse cultural offerings appealing not only to those living here but also to those visiting the area.’

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1. Fort Hood: The largest military installation in the world.
2. Vive Les Arts Theatre: A community theatre featuring local talent.
3. Lions Club Aquatics Park: A water park with slides and pools for all ages.
4. Mayborn Science Theater: An educational theater showcasing science documentaries and live presentations.
5. Jefferies Park: A popular park with playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields.
6. Stillhouse Hollow Lake: A scenic lake offering fishing, boating, swimming, and camping opportunities.
7. Killeen Mall: A shopping center housing over 90 stores and restaurants.
8. Bell County Expo Center: An event venue hosting concerts, rodeos, fairs, and other events throughout the year.
9. Stonetree Golf Club: An 18-hole golf course designed by Roy Bechtol that offers challenging play for golfers of all skill levels.
10. Kern Park Natural Area: A nature reserve with hiking trails through wooded areas along a creek bed.

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1. Military: Killeen is home to Fort Hood, one of the largest military installations in the world. The military provides a significant portion of the city’s economy.
2. Healthcare: Killeen has several hospitals and medical centers that provide employment opportunities for healthcare professionals.
3. Retail: There are several shopping centers and retail stores in Killeen that cater to both residents and visitors.
4. Education: The city has several public schools, colleges, and universities that provide education opportunities for students.
5. Hospitality: Killeen has a thriving hospitality industry with hotels, restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues.
6. Manufacturing: The city has a few manufacturing companies that produce various products such as automotive parts and electronics components.
7. Technology: There are a few technology companies in Killeen that provide IT services to businesses in the area.
8. Transportation: The city is located near major highways which makes it an ideal location for transportation companies such as trucking firms or logistics providers.
9. Construction: With new developments constantly being built around the city there are plenty of construction jobs available within this industry sector too!

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1. Fort Hood is the largest military installation in the world, located in Killeen. It has been a significant contributor to the local economy and community since its establishment in 1942.
2. In 1991, a mass shooting occurred at Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen, resulting in 23 deaths and 27 injuries. It was one of the deadliest shootings in US history at that time.
3. Robert Gray Army Airfield was named after Lieutenant Colonel Robert M. Gray, who flew on both atomic bomb missions during World War II.
4. Elvis Presley served six months of his military service at Fort Hood from October 1958 to March 1960.
5. Tim Cole was wrongfully convicted of rape as a Texas Tech University student and died while serving his sentence in prison, leading to significant changes in Texas’ criminal justice system.
6. John Carter is a former judge who has represented Texas’ 31st congressional district since 2003.
7. Angela Kinsey is an actress famous for her role as Angela Martin on NBC’s The Office; she grew up overseas before moving with her family to Archer City, Texas where she graduated from high school.
8. Charles Tillman is a retired NFL cornerback who played for the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers during his career; he attended Ellison High School in Killeen before playing college football at Louisiana-Lafayette University.

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1. Killeen Civic and Conference Center
2. Vive Les Arts Theatre
3. Mayborn Science Theater
4. 1st Cavalry Division Museum
5. Lions Club Park Veterans Memorial
6. Central Texas African American Heritage Foundation
7. Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport Terminal Building Art Gallery
8. Killeen Mall
9. Stonetree Golf Club
10. Stillhouse Hollow Lake

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1. Killeen Kangaroos – The Killeen High School football team, known as the Kangaroos, has a long history of success. They have won multiple district championships and made several appearances in the state playoffs.
2. Ellison Eagles – The Ellison High School football team, known as the Eagles, has also had a successful history with multiple district championships and state playoff appearances.
3. Shoemaker Grey Wolves – The Shoemaker High School football team, known as the Grey Wolves, has had some success in recent years with playoff appearances and district championships.
4. Central Texas Express – The Central Texas Express is a semi-professional basketball team that plays in the American Basketball Association (ABA). They were founded in 2016 and have had some success on the court.
5. Killeen Ruff Riders – The Killeen Ruff Riders were an indoor football team that played in various leagues from 2006-2012. They won two league championships during their existence.
6. Fort Hood Rugby Club – The Fort Hood Rugby Club is a military rugby club based out of Killeen that competes against other military teams and local clubs.
7. Belton Tigers – While not based directly in Killeen, the Belton High School football team is located nearby and has a strong rivalry with many of the teams from Killeen schools. They have also had success on the field with multiple district championships and state playoff appearances over their history.

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1. Killeen Rodeo and Parade
2. Killeen Food, Wine & Brew Fest
3. Celebrate Killeen Festival
4. Juneteenth Celebration
5. Hispanic Heritage Month Festival
6. Veterans Day Parade
7. Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony
8. Fort Hood Family Day Celebration
9. Central Texas State Fair
10. Texas Music Series at the Vive Les Arts Theatre

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• Texas Roadhouse is a popular chain restaurant that’s well-known for their delicious steaks and southern-style sides.
• Schoepf’s BBQ has been serving up mouth-watering smoked meats since 1992, making it a favorite among locals.
• Taqueria Mexico Lindo is an authentic Mexican restaurant that offers traditional dishes like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
• The Gyro Nook is a Mediterranean eatery that specializes in gyros, falafel, and other Middle Eastern-inspired dishes.
• Thai Cafe offers a variety of Thai curries, noodle dishes, and stir-fries that are perfect for those who love spicy food.
• J & J Asian Bistro specializes in sushi rolls and other Japanese-inspired dishes like ramen noodles and teriyaki chicken.
• Milt’s Pit BBQ is another family-owned barbecue joint that specializes in brisket and ribs with homemade sauce on the side.
• La Riv Italian Cuisine is an authentic Italian restaurant that offers classic pasta dishes with homemade sauces along with seafood options as well as steak or chicken entrees to satisfy any taste buds!
• Hidalgo’s Cocina & Cócteles serves up modern Mexican cuisine from street tacos to gourmet entrees paired with handcrafted margaritas!
• The Spot Sports Bar & Grill is a local sports bar offering American pub fare such as burgers wings along with beer on tap!

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Parks and Recreation

1. Lions Club Park: This park boasts a lake, playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails.
2. Long Branch Park: Visitors to this park can enjoy a swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and picnic areas.
3. Andy K. Wells Hike and Bike Trail: Take in the stunning views of the surrounding area on this 4-mile-long trail.
4. Conder Park: Children will love playing in the splash pad during summer months at this park.
5. Jefferies Park: Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the baseball fields, soccer fields, and basketball courts at this park.
6. Marlboro Heights Community Center & Park: Join dance classes or fitness programs at this community center that also features a park with recreational activities.
7. Purser Family Park: Families can enjoy covered picnic areas while children play on playgrounds at this family-friendly park.
8. Ellison Onizuka Memorial Track & Field Complex – This facility offers track & field events as well as football fields and other sports facilities.
9. Killeen Skate Palace- Roller skating rink that doubles as party venue.
10. The Armed Services YMCA- Swim lessons or ballet classes are among many activities offered here.

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Find Yourself Again.

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