Hye, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hye, Texas
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Hye General Store & Post Office (c. 1886)
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 Hye, Texas
Location in Texas
Hye, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Blanco |
| Elevation | 1,453 ft (443 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
78635
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| Area code(s) | 830 |
| FIPS code | 48-35648 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1378475 |
Hye is a small, unincorporated community in western Blanco County, Texas, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. In 2000, about 105 people lived there. Hye is known for being part of the "Texas-German belt," an area where many German immigrants settled long ago.
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History of Hye
The first people to settle in the Hye area arrived around 1860. They were farmers and ranchers who moved to a place called Rocky Creek, which is about three miles east of where Hye is today. More German and Anglo settlers came to the area throughout the 1860s and 1870s, helping the community grow.
How Hye Got Its Name
Around 1872, a man named Hiram G. Brown and his family settled near the Pedernales River. Hiram, who people called "Hye," built a small store and a house there. This spot was along the main road that connected Austin and Fredericksburg.
On April 17, 1886, a post office was opened in Hye Brown's store. He became the first "postmaster," which means he was in charge of the post office. The post office was named "Hye" after him. Having a post office helped other businesses come to the area. Soon, there was a grist mill (which grinds grain), a blacksmith shop (where metal items are made), and a cotton gin (which separates cotton fibers). In 1904, Hye Brown built a new building for his store and the post office.
Hye's Connection to a President
Hye has a special connection to a former U.S. President, Lyndon B. Johnson. His childhood home is nearby. It's said that he mailed his very first letter from the Hye post office when he was only four years old!
In 1965, when Johnson was President, he even swore in Lawrence F. O'Brien as the new United States Postmaster General right on the porch of the Hye post office.
Hye's Landmark
In 1966, the Hye General Store and Post Office was recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. This means it's an important historical building in Texas, marked with a special sign (marker number 2607).
Today, the Garrison Brothers Distillery also operates in the community.
Geography of Hye
Hye is located along U.S. Route 290. It's close to the border of Gillespie County. You can find it about 10 miles (16 km) west of Johnson City, which is the main town in Blanco County. Hye is also about 60 miles (97 km) west of Austin and 20 miles (32 km) east of Fredericksburg.
Hye's Climate
The weather in Hye is known for its hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Education in Hye
Students in Hye attend schools that are part of the Johnson City Independent School District.
