Chappell Hill, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chappell Hill, Texas
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Location of Chappell Hill, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Washington |
| Area | |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 299 ft (91 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 600 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
77426
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| Area code(s) | 979 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1332674 |
Chappell Hill is a small community in eastern Washington County, Texas, United States. It's located in the area where Stephen F. Austin first settled with early American pioneers. In 2000, about 600 people lived here. Chappell Hill is also close to the big city of Houston.
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Geography of Chappell Hill
Chappell Hill is found where US Route 290 meets Farm to Market Roads 1155 and 2447. The area is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain, which means it has gently rolling hills. It's about 10 miles (16 km) east of Brenham and 63 miles (101 km) northwest of Houston.
History of Chappell Hill
Early Days: 1800s
The town of Chappell Hill was started in 1849 by Mary Elizabeth Haller. She bought 100 acres of land and opened a post office two years earlier. Mary named the town after her grandfather, Robert Wooding Chappell. The land around the town was very good for farming, so settlers from the southern United States came and grew a lot of cotton.
In 1847, a missionary named Robert Alexander started the Chappell Hill Methodist Church. This area became an important center for Methodists in Texas. People in Chappell Hill wanted better ways to transport their cotton. So, in 1852, they asked Houston businesses to build a railroad. The Washington County Railroad reached Chappell Hill in 1859, making the town a busy place for trade.
Mary Haller and her husband Jacob built a large home in 1850. This home became the Stage Coach Inn. It was a popular stop for travelers because it was about halfway between Houston and Austin.
Before the American Civil War, Chappell Hill grew to about 3,000 people. It had a sawmill, a railroad, five churches, and a Masonic Lodge. The town officially became a city in 1856.
Chappell Hill During the Civil War
During the Civil War, many men from Chappell Hill joined the Confederate army. They fought in important battles. The Soule University building in town was even used as a hospital for soldiers.
After the war, Chappell Hill faced tough times. In 1867, a serious yellow fever outbreak hit the town. Many people died, and the town struggled to recover. Later, in the 1870s, Polish immigrants came to the area and helped it grow again. You can still find people of Polish heritage in the area today.
By 1914, about 600 people lived in Chappell Hill. The population grew to 1,000 by 1930, but then the Great Depression caused the local economy to slow down. By 1960, only 300 people lived there.
Modern Times: 1960s to Today
In the 1960s, more people from Houston started moving to Chappell Hill. This helped bring new life to the town and encouraged people to fix up old homes. The Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce was started in 1970 to help local businesses.
Chappell Hill today is known for its tourism. Visitors come to see its old, restored homes and enjoy local events. The town hosts a popular Bluebonnet Festival, an Independence Day parade, and a Scarecrow Festival. It also has its own sausage company and a museum. The Main Street Historic District is a special area recognized for its historical importance. Chappell Hill is considered one of the best-preserved historic towns in Texas.
In 2008, the people of Chappell Hill voted on whether to become an officially incorporated town. Most voters decided against it, choosing to remain a community without its own town government.
Historic Buildings in Chappell Hill
Many buildings in Chappell Hill are listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of their importance. These include:
- Chappell Hill Circulating Library
- Chappell Hill Methodist Episcopal Church
- Chappell Hill Public School and Chappell Hill Female College Bell
- Isaac Applewhite House
- Main Street Historic District (Chappell Hill)
- Stage Coach Inn
- Routt-Crockett House
People of Chappell Hill
In 2000, about 600 people lived in Chappell Hill. The larger area covered by the Chappell Hill ZIP code (77426) had about 1,319 people. Most people in the area are Christian, belonging to faiths like Roman Catholic, Methodist, or Southern Baptist.
Education in Chappell Hill
The first school in Chappell Hill opened in 1850. In the 1850s, two colleges were founded: Soule University for men and Chappell Hill Female College for women. Both colleges eventually closed. Today, students in Chappell Hill attend schools in the Brenham Independent School District.
Notable People from Chappell Hill
- James P. Buchanan: A U.S. Representative for Texas.
- Joe Routt: An American football player and World War II soldier who was born here.
- Alonzo Sledge: A preacher and Texas State Representative born in Chappell Hill.
Images for kids
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A view of Main Street in Chappell Hill.
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A map showing the location of Chappell Hill in Texas.
