Heidenheimer, Texas facts for kids
Heidenheimer is a small community in Bell County, Texas, United States. It's called an unincorporated community because it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. In 2000, about 144 people lived there. Heidenheimer is part of a larger area that includes the cities of Killeen, Temple, and Fort Hood.
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Where is Heidenheimer?
Heidenheimer is located in eastern Bell County, Texas. You can find it along U.S. Highway 190. It's about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Temple. Other nearby cities include Austin (about 51 miles or 82 km northeast) and Waco (about 41 miles or 66 km south). It's also 13 miles (21 km) east of Belton and 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Rogers. 31°01′06″N 97°18′10″W / 31.01833°N 97.30278°W
The Story of Heidenheimer
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Heidenheimer started to grow in 1881 because of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. The community was named after S. Heidenheimer. He was a merchant from Galveston who helped move cotton for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. He was also a director for the railroad.
In 1884, about 75 people lived in Heidenheimer. They had a general store, a blacksmith shop, and a church. The main way people made money was by shipping cotton, corn, and oats to other places.
By 1896, the number of people living there grew to 225. The community had two cotton gins (machines that separate cotton fibers), a hotel, a saloon, a lumber business, and even its own newspaper called the Sun. A bank opened in 1914.
The population reached its highest point in 1925 with 250 residents. But by the late 1940s, it had gone down to 125 people. At that time, there were seven businesses and three churches. In 1990, the population went up a little to 144 people, and it stayed that way in 2000.
Today, the railroad area is still very active. You can find a grain elevator and a cotton gin there. Heidenheimer's post office first opened in 1881 and is still working today (its zip code is 76533).
Learning in Heidenheimer
The Heidenheimer School opened in 1884. By 1903, it was the third-largest rural school in Bell County. It had 149 students and three teachers. In 1948, there were two schools in the area. Today, public education for the community is provided by the Academy Independent School District. This school district is based in the nearby city of Little River-Academy.
Who's From Heidenheimer?
One notable person from Heidenheimer is Bill Lucky. He was a professional football player who played as a defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers.
