Valley Mills, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valley Mills, Texas
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Texas State Highway 6 in Downtown Valley Mills,
April 2020 |
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Location of Valley Mills, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| Counties | Bosque, McLennan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.76 sq mi (1.97 km2) |
| • Land | 0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 597 ft (182 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,229 |
| • Density | 1,617/sq mi (623.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
76689
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| Area code(s) | 254 |
| FIPS code | 48-74732 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412143 |
Valley Mills is a city located in central Texas, United States. It is split between two counties: Bosque and McLennan. In 2020, about 1,229 people lived there.
The part of Valley Mills that is in McLennan County is considered part of the larger Waco city area.
Contents
History of Valley Mills
Valley Mills got its name from a flour mill. This mill was built in 1867 on the banks of the Bosque River. Dr. E.P. Booth and Asbury Stegall were the ones who started it.
In 1881, a railroad company, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, built tracks. These tracks were about a mile south of the original town, across the Bosque River. Store owners wanted to be closer to the railroad. So, they started moving their shops across the river to the new tracks.
On February 17, 1882, a strong tornado hit the new town area. Many buildings were destroyed. Even so, the people who were left from the old town moved across the river. They rebuilt their homes in the new spot. By the end of 1882, Valley Mills had grown into McLennan County.
Dairy farming and raising animals were the main jobs in the community. By 1900, the railroad and the nearby Chisholm Trail helped Valley Mills grow. It became a busy place for shopping and trading for both Bosque and McLennan counties. The town's population reached 855 by 1905.
Like many small towns in Texas, Valley Mills saw fewer people during the 1930s. But after World War II, things got better. Farm prices went up, and ranching did well. The town's economy grew. The population, which had dropped to 803 by 1937, went up to 1,037 by the mid-1950s. For the next 30 years, Valley Mills stayed an important shopping and shipping center.
A very powerful F-5 tornado hit the town on May 6, 1973. This was almost 20 years after a famous tornado hit Waco in 1953. Even though the Valley Mills tornado was very strong, no one died.
In 1984, Valley Mills had its own newspaper and a small airport. There were more than 25 businesses, many dairy farms, and ranches. The population was 1,236 people. A new school opened in 1988. The school and four churches were important places for people to gather. In 1990, the population was 1,085. By 2010, it had grown to 1,203.
Geography and Climate
The weather in Valley Mills has hot, humid summers. Winters are usually mild to cool. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Valley Mills has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm temperatures and plenty of rain throughout the year.
Population Details
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How Many People Live Here?
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (NH) | 878 | 71.44% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 31 | 2.52% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 3 | 0.24% |
| Asian (NH) | 2 | 0.16% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 1 | 0.08% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 80 | 6.51% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 234 | 19.04% |
| Total | 1,229 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,229 people living in Valley Mills. There were 468 households and 371 families.
Education in Valley Mills
Valley Mills has its own school district, called the Valley Mills Independent School District. Students in the area attend Valley Mills High School.
Transportation
Highways Connecting Valley Mills
Texas State Highway 6 is a main road that goes through downtown Valley Mills. It is also known as Avenue C. This highway leads south to Waco and north to Clifton.
Texas State Highway 317 is also called S 7th Street. It ends at Highway 6. If you go south on this highway, it leads to Crawford.
Railroad Lines
Valley Mills is on a BNSF Railway line. This line used to be part of the GC&SF railroad. It connects Temple to Cleburne. As of 2024, the Texas Eagle train uses this line. This Amtrak passenger train connects Chicago to San Antonio. However, the train does not stop in Valley Mills. The closest stop is in McGregor.
Local Airport
Valley Mills has a small airport called Valley Mills Municipal Airport (airport code 9F1). It is owned by the city and is used for general aviation, which means it's for private planes, not big passenger jets. The airport is about 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of the city center.
Famous People from Valley Mills
- Matthew Barnes: A professional off-road driver and a Rocket League player.
- Isaac Brock (died 1909): He was once thought to be the oldest American ever.
- Donnie Sadler: A player in Major League Baseball.
See also
In Spanish: Valley Mills (Texas) para niños
