Hillje, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hillje, Texas
|
|
|---|---|
Prasek's Smoke House is a business on US 59.
|
|
 Hillje, Texas
Location in Texas
Hillje, Texas
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Wharton |
| Elevation | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
77437
|
| Area code(s) | 979 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1359277 |
Hillje (pronounced "Hill-Gee") is a small place in Wharton County, Texas, United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
In 2000, about 51 people lived in Hillje. It is part of the larger Greater Houston area.
Contents
Discovering Hillje's Past
Hillje got its name from Fred Hillje. He bought land here in 1888. Many of the first people to settle in Hillje came from Weimar. They were often of Czech and German backgrounds.
Early Days and Growth
The New York, Texas and Mexican Railway had a stop nearby. This stop was called the "45-mile post." This is where the community of Hillje started to grow.
In 1898, L.C. Wychopen opened a general store. This was an important place for people to buy what they needed. The next year, in 1899, a big flood caused a lot of damage to Hillje.
A post office opened in Hillje in 1899. It helped people send and receive mail until 1907.
Hillje Through the Years
By 1915, about 20 people lived in Hillje. The community had the general store and a gin, which was a machine used to separate cotton fibers.
In 1926, the local tax records showed 40 registered voters. Most of them were white, including six women, a mechanic, and several farmers.
By 1931, Hillje had five businesses, a factory, two churches, and a cemetery. The population stayed around 75 people from 1939 to 1965.
In 1968, the population went down to 51 people, and there were no businesses. But by 1985, Hillje had five businesses again, plus a church and a community hall. The population remained at 51 in 2000.
Where is Hillje Located?
Hillje is in western Wharton County. You can find it where U.S. Highway 59 (US 59) and FM 441 meet. It is about 18 miles west of the city of Wharton.
Local Businesses and Economy
Even though it's a small community, Hillje has several businesses. One of the biggest and most well-known is Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse. It's a popular place and provides many jobs in the area.
Learning in Hillje
The first school in Hillje opened in 1895. Another school was built in 1926. These schools taught 155 white students and 14 black students, with four teachers. By 1936, there was one school serving the community.
Today, public education for students in Hillje is provided by the Louise Independent School District. The schools for this district are located in Louise. Louise is just a few miles west of Hillje, also on U.S. Highway 59.
Notable People from Hillje
- Hugo Mark Gerbermann was a Catholic missionary and bishop who came from Hillje.
Gallery
-
St. Andrew's Catholic Church
-
St. Andrew's Cemetery
