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Hill County, Texas

69 topographic sheets cover 43 settlements here, and 18 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

18 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Texas within the United States
Hill County within Texas

What the record shows

  • 604 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 18 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 15 buildings, 2 structures and 1 district.
  • 3 of the 18 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 43 populated places in this county; 43 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

18

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
J. T. Baker Farmsteadbuilding199292000138
Farmers National Bankbuilding198484001871
Gebhardt Bakerybuilding198484001873
Grimes Garagebuilding198484001875
Grimes Housebuilding198484001877
Hill County Courthousebuilding197171000939
Hill County Jailbuilding198181000631
Hillsboro Cotton Millsbuilding198484001878
Hillsboro Residential Historic Districtdistrict198484001879
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Company Railroad Stationbuilding197979002978
Nolan River Bridge 303-A of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railwaystructure201212001001
Nolan River Bridge 303-A of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railwaystructure201212001001
Old Rock Saloonbuilding198484001881
Sturgis National Bankbuilding198484001889
Tarlton Buildingbuilding198484001892
Joe E. Turner Housebuilding197777001452
U.S. Post Officebuilding198484001894
Western Union Buildingbuilding198484001896

Bird's-eye views and land ownership maps

1

Drawn when these were printed as single large sheets: the town seen from the air, and the county divided into its farms with every owner named. Each opens the original at the Library of Congress.

Land ownership map, 1886 - Map of Hill County, Texas : General Land Office, Austin, Texas, February 1886
Land ownership map (1886) - Map of Hill County, Texas : General Land Office, Austin, Texas, February 1886. Library of Congress.

The county from the air

43 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 1,476 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 43 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-11-20, scale 1:69000
1952-11-20, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-11-20, scale 1:69000
1952-11-20, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-11-20, scale 1:69000
1952-11-20, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-11-20, scale 1:69000
1952-11-20, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-05, scale 1:69000
1953-01-05, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-05, scale 1:69000
1953-01-05, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-05, scale 1:69000
1953-01-05, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-05, scale 1:69000
1953-01-05, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-03-12, scale 1:17000
1955-03-12, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-03-12, scale 1:17000
1955-03-12, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-03-12, scale 1:17000
1955-03-12, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-03-12, scale 1:17000
1955-03-12, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-01-10, scale 1:34000
1956-01-10, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-01-10, scale 1:34000
1956-01-10, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-01-10, scale 1:34000
1956-01-10, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-01-10, scale 1:34000
1956-01-10, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-03-12, scale 1:17600
1964-03-12, scale 1:17600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-03-12, scale 1:17600
1964-03-12, scale 1:17600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-03-12, scale 1:17600
1964-03-12, scale 1:17600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-03-12, scale 1:17600
1964-03-12, scale 1:17600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1965-01-16, scale 1:17800
1965-01-16, scale 1:17800. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1965-01-16, scale 1:17800
1965-01-16, scale 1:17800. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1965-01-16, scale 1:17800
1965-01-16, scale 1:17800. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1965-01-16, scale 1:17800
1965-01-16, scale 1:17800. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1967-09-25, scale 1:19200
1967-09-25, scale 1:19200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1967-09-25, scale 1:19200
1967-09-25, scale 1:19200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1967-09-25, scale 1:19200
1967-09-25, scale 1:19200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1967-09-25, scale 1:19200
1967-09-25, scale 1:19200. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-03-20, scale 1:21670
1969-03-20, scale 1:21670. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-03-20, scale 1:21670
1969-03-20, scale 1:21670. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-03-20, scale 1:21670
1969-03-20, scale 1:21670. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-03-26, scale 1:28000
1970-03-26, scale 1:28000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-03-26, scale 1:28000
1970-03-26, scale 1:28000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-03-26, scale 1:28000
1970-03-26, scale 1:28000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-03-26, scale 1:28000
1970-03-26, scale 1:28000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-02-13, scale 1:80000
1975-02-13, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-02-13, scale 1:80000
1975-02-13, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-02-13, scale 1:80000
1975-02-13, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-02-13, scale 1:80000
1975-02-13, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-11-13, scale 1:63476
1982-11-13, scale 1:63476. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-11-13, scale 1:63476
1982-11-13, scale 1:63476. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-11-13, scale 1:63476
1982-11-13, scale 1:63476. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-11-13, scale 1:63476
1982-11-13, scale 1:63476. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

16 stations, 9 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

54 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 109-1Justice Precinct 1: Abbott city
  • 109-2Brandon town
  • 109-3Hillsboro city: Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad; W. Walnut, Chestnut, Line, Mary, W. Elm; City limits
  • 109-4Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by City limits, W. Elm, Mary, Line, Chestnut, W. Walnut; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad; Dexter, City limits; City limits
  • 109-5Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by Dexter; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad; City limits
  • 109-6Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by E. Franklin; Church, Valley, Pine; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad
  • 109-7Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by Valley; Ivy; City limits; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, Pine
  • 109-8Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by Valley; City limits; City limits; lvy
  • 109-9Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by E, Franklin, Ward line; City limits; City limits; Corporation, E. Walnut, Corporation
  • 109-10Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by E. Franklin; Corporation; E. Walnut; Church
  • 109-11Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by E. Walnut; Corporation; Valley; Church
  • 109-12Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, City limits; City limits; Ward line, E. Franklin; Abbott, Corsicana, Milford Rd.
  • 109-13Hillsboro city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad; Milford Rd., Corsicana, Abbott; E. Franklin; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad
  • 109-14Mertens town
  • 109-15Justice Precinct 1 - That part north of State Hwy. 22. and east of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Hillsboro city and Brandon and Mertens towns
  • 109-16Justice Precinct 1 - That part west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad and east of State Hwy. 171, outside Hillsboro city
  • 109-17Justice Precinct 1 - That part west of State Hwy. 171 and north of State Hwy. 22, outside Hillsboro city
  • 109-18Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of State Hwy. 22 and north and west of Hackberry Creek, outside Hillsboro city
  • 109-19Justice Precinct 1 - That part south and east of Hackberry Creek, west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, and northwest of Aquilla - Chat Rd., outside Hillsboro city
  • 109-20Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of Aquilla - Chat Rd. and west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Abbott city
  • 109-21Justice Precinct 1 - That part southwest of State Hwy. 171 and east of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Hillsboro and Abbott cities
  • 109-22Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of State Hwy. 22, southwest of White Rock Creek, and east of State Hwy. 171
  • 109-23Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of State Hwy. 22 and northeast of White Rock Creek, outside Brandon and Mertens towns
  • 109-24Justice Precinct 2: Itasca city: Itasca city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; Adams, Aquilla, Adams; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad
  • 109-25Itasca city - That part Bounded by City limits; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad; City limits; City limits
  • 109-26Itasca city - That part Bounded by Adams, Aquilla, Adams; City limits; City limits; Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad
  • 109-27Justice Precinct 2 - That part northwest of State Hwy. 66 and east of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Itasca city
  • 109-28Justice Precinct 2 - That part west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, north of State Hwy. 291, east of State Hwy. 171, and north of State Hwy. 67
  • 109-29Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of State Hwy. 67, west of State Hwy. 171, south of State Hwy. 291, west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad and north of Itasca - Osceola Rd. and unnamed rd., extending westward from Osceola to precinct line, outside Itasca city
  • 109-30Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of unnamed rd., extending eastward from precinct line to Osceola, south of Osceola - Itasca Rd. and west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Itasca city
  • 109-31Justice Precinct 2 - That part southeast of State Hwy. 66, and east of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Itasca city
  • 109-32Justice Precinct 3: Hubbard city: Hubbard city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; St. Louis Southwestern Railway; Magnolia, N. 8th
  • 109-33Hubbard city - That part Bounded by City limits; N. 8th, Magnolia, St. Louis Southwestern Railway; City limits; City limits
  • 109-34Hubbard city - That part Bounded by St. Louis Southwestern Railway; City limits; City limits
  • 109-35Malone town
  • 109-36Mount Calm town
  • 109-37Penelope town
  • 109-38Justice Precinct 3 - That part northwest of St. Louis Southwestern Railway, north of State Hwy. 171, and east of International and Great Northern Railroad, outside Hubbard city and Malone town
  • 109-39Justice Precinct 3 - That part west of International and Great Northern Railroad, and north of Ash Creek, outside Malone town
  • 109-40Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of Ash Creek and west of International and Great Northern Railroad, outside Penelope town
  • 109-41Justice Precinct 3 - That part southeast of International and Great Northern Railroad, west of Penelope - Mount Calm Rd., and northwest of St. Louis Southwestern Railway, outside Penelope town
  • 109-42Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of State Hwy. 171, northwest of St. Louis Southwestern Railway, northeast of Penelope - Mt. Calm Rd., and southeast of International and Great Northern Railroad, outside Hubbard city and Malone, Penelope, and Mount Calm towns
  • 109-43Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of St. Louis Southwestern Railway, outside Hubbard city and Mount Calm town
  • 109-44Justice Precinct 4: Blum town
  • 109-45Whitney town: Whitney town - That part Bounded by Town limits; Town limits; Town limits, Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad; N. San Marcos
  • 109-46Whitney town - That part Bounded by Town limits; N. San Marcos, Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, S. Colorado (State Hwy. 22); Town limits; Town limits
  • 109-47Whitney town - That part Bounded by Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad; Town limits; Town limits; Town limits, S. Colorado (State Hwy. 22)
  • 109-48Justice Precinct 4 - That part north of State Hwy. 67 and Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway outside Blum town
  • 109-49Justice Precinct 4 - That part south of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, west of Blum -Huron - Whitney Rd., and north of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Blum and Whitney towns
  • 109-50Justice Precinct 4 - That part south of State Hwy. 67, north of Woodbury - Huron Rd., and east of Whitney - Huron - Blum Rd., outside Blum town
  • 109-51Justice Precinct 4 - That part south of Huron - Woodbury Rd., north of State Hwy. 22, and east of Whitney - Huron Rd., outside Whitney town
  • 109-52Justice Precinct 4 - That part south of State Hwy. 22 and northeast of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Whitney town
  • 109-53Justice Precinct 4 - That part south and west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad and east of Unnamed stream extending northward from Bosque County line to Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad
  • 109-54Justice Precinct 4 - That part south of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad and west of Unnamed stream extending southward from Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad to Bosque County line

Wildfire, 2003 to 2020

2,306 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 2,306 of them, burning about 24,304 acres. 22 started naturally and 101 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning920
Missing data/not specified/undetermined808
Equipment and vehicle use332
Arson/incendiarism101
Power generation/transmission/distribution52
Smoking39
Natural22
Recreation and ceremony13
Railroad operations and maintenance8
Misuse of fire by a minor6
Other causes5

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined1,500 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceWHITNEY DAM
24 June 2018Missing data/not specified/undetermined1,100 acresTexas A & M Forest Service192 CR4319
7 September 2019Debris and open burning1,100 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceFM 934 GRASS FIRE
24 June 2018Equipment and vehicle use1,000 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHAYCUTTER FIRE
31 January 2017Debris and open burning800 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceFM 933
8 September 2011Natural580 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceDAM FIRE
7 September 2019Debris and open burning500 acresTexas A & M Forest Service150
22 August 2005Missing data/not specified/undetermined500 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceCENTRAL TX - 18

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1955 to 2026

60 of 596 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 596 reports for this county, causing 13 deaths, 175 injuries and about $14,470,110 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail310
Thunderstorm Wind159
Tornado61
Flash Flood54
Flood8
Lightning3
Heavy Rain1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
March 1973Tornado (F4)not stated6 killed, 75 hurtno account filed
March 1959Tornado (F4)not stated6 killed, 31 hurt, $25,000no account filed
May 1971Tornado (F3)not stated1 killed, 49 hurtno account filed
May 1957Tornado (F3)not stated4 hurt, $250,000no account filed
December 1987Thunderstorm Windnot stated4 hurtno account filed
June 1998Thunderstorm WindHubbard3 hurt, $50,000Thunderstorm winds took the roof from a house and blew a metal awning onto two cars. Three people were injured by flying glass. Thunderstorm winds also damaged buildings and downed trees.
January 2017Tornado (EF1)Lake Whitney2 hurt, $290,000A National Weather Service storm survey crew found evidence of a tornado which began in Bosque County northwest of Laguna Park, and ended in Hill County. In Bosque County, the tornado produced EF-0 damage, with damage to trees. In Hill County, approximately 80 homes had some damage, mostly shingle damage on roofs. However, about 10 manufactured homes suffered major damage, with roof and window damage. One older home lost most of its roof and walls, after a tree fell on the home.
April 1986Tornado (F1)not stated2 hurt, $250,000no account filed
March 1972Tornado (F2)not stated2 hurt, $250,000no account filed
April 1990Thunderstorm Windnot stated2 hurtno account filed
April 1990Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
May 1981Tornado (F3)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
May 1976Tornado (F4)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
September 2010Flash FloodBlum$1,000,000Several county roads and Farm-to-Market roads were impassible or closed due to high water. Swift water rescues were conducted in Whitney after two apartment complexes were flooded. There were at least 17 high water rescues conducted across the county. At least 40 homes suffered damage due to flood waters, and county roads across the county experienced significant damage.
March 2000HailHillsboro$1,000,000Hail and high wind did extensive damage over northern Hill county from Blum to Hillsboro. This is the same storm that struck Somervell county. The wind unroofed barns, uprooted trees, and damaged homes and buildings. Large hail broke windows and dented vehicles. Three 18-wheelers were blown over while trying to wait out the storm on the side of I-35 just north of Hillsboro. Wind driven hail broke or cracked over 200 windows in Hillsboro, some in the recently reconstructed historic court house. Water subsequently damage carpet and floors. Some hail stones in Hillsboro were as large as baseballs. Approximately 17,000 acres of wheat were ruined. The newspaper quoted this as the worst hail storm in Hillsboro since the 1980s.
April 2012HailItasca$700,000Tennis ball sized hail fell in Itasca. The local newspaper reported that cars, houses, and buildings were damaged from the large hail. The hail that fell across the county also damaged the wheat crop.
December 2006Tornado (F2)Blum$500,000The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and found that a tornado developed west of FM 933 and south of CR 1145. Tree damage was noted as the tornado crossed FM 933 and FM 67 one mile southeast of Blum. The tornado apparently increased in size and intensity after crossing FM 67. A large grain silo was toppled over on CR 1137, roughly 1.5 miles northeast of Blum. Extensive tree and power pole damage was also noted. The path width was over a quarter of a mile at this time. As the tornado crossed County Roads 1136 and 1133, widespread tree damage was noted, as was structural damage to roofs and windows. The tornado then moved across FM 2488 just south of the Johnson County line, where a well-engineered home lost portions of roof decking and a large barn was destroyed. Portions of the barn's metal skin were carried over a mile to the north-northeast. The tornado then crossed into Johnson County.
June 2003LightningHillsboro$500,000A lightning started fire destroyed a church.
June 2010Flash FloodBirome$400,000Numerous reports of flash flooding were reported in the southeastern portions of the county. A vehicle was overtaken with water on Farm-to-Market Road 308 near the town of Bynum. Additional water was reported over Farm-to-Market Road 308 between the towns of Penelope and Birome and near Malone. There was also water over County Road 2114 west of Penelope and a bridge was washed out, stranding four motorists along NW 3150 Road, northeast of Dawson. Water was reported in homes between Hillsboro and Brandon.
May 2021Tornado (EF2)Brazlime$350,000The tornado formed in extreme northern Hill County, NW of the Blum community, near the intersection of Texas Highway 174 and Hill County Road 1106. The tornado traveled across open country for approximately 3.4 miles. Scattered tree and powerline damage of EF-0 intensity was noted along the length of this path. Near the end of the tornado's lifespan, it struck a brick-clad frame home, removing most of the roof and part of the walls of the structure. The tornado's peak intensity of EF-2, with estimated wind speeds of 130 mph, was inferred from the damage to this structure. Some other trees and outbuildings sustained EF-0 to EF-1 damage near this home. The tornado dissipated several hundred yards beyond the point where the tornado impacted the frame home.
October 1985Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
May 1968Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 2024Flash FloodHillsboro$200,000Broadcast media showed video of water covering residential roads in Hillsboro and water approximately 1-2 feet deep up to home foundations. The exact location of the impacted homes is uncertain.
October 2007Thunderstorm WindHillsboro$200,000Extensive damage occurred with numerous trees blown down and shingles were blown off roofs. Several trees fell on houses and vehicles. A large plate glass window was shattered at a residence, and garage doors and business signs were damaged. Twelve vehicles at a car dealership lost all their windows, and another ten vehicles were damaged by flying debris.
May 2024HailMayfield$100,000Report from mPING: Softball (4.50 in.).
June 2023HailWhitney$100,000A trained spotter reported two-inch diameter hail in Whitney, TX.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindWhitney$100,000Amateur radio reported that a tree was blown down onto a house in Whitney.
October 2015Flash FloodHubbard$100,000Major street flooding was reported in Hubbard after several inches of rain fell in a short amount of time. Highway 171 between Hubbard and Coolidge was closed due to water over the road. The rain, often heavy at times, continued for over 24 hours and approximately 15-20 inches or more of rain fell in the area.
October 2015Flash FloodMertens$100,000Several roads were closed in southern Hill County.
November 1996Thunderstorm WindHubbard$100,000no account filed
April 2015Thunderstorm WindMayfield$90,000A manufactured home on CR 1458 was destroyed by thunderstorm winds.
May 2024HailOsceola$75,000Broadcast media sent photo of 3 to 3.5 inch hail in the Itasca area.
June 2012LightningHillsboro$68,610Lightning struck the Hill County Law Enforcement Center damaging much of the electrical equipment at the building. The cost to repair all the damaged equipment was quoted around $68,605.
April 2024Tornado (EF1)Birome$60,000The same supercell produced another brief tornado, based on eye witness accounts, on either side of FM 339 southwest of Penelope. The tornado formed in the field just east of the road, hitting a residence and dissipating soon afterwards. Two houses were damaged: One had metal panels peeled off the roof, and the home shifted off its cinder blocks about 8 inches. Winds got in the garage of the uninhabited second house and lifted the roof off, then it collapsed back on the house and the walls buckled. The tornado lifted just east of the property. Maximum estimated winds were 105 mph.
April 2010Thunderstorm WindPenelope$60,000Numerous trees and power poles were reported down in the southeast corner of Hill County from Penelope to Hubbard. Several trees were also reported down along 171 south of Hubbard. Some of the downed trees blocked county roads. In Hubbard, a large glass window at a business was blown out, a few tree limbs fell on cars causing damage, and some sheet metal was wrapped around a utility pole.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindHuron$60,000Significant damage occured at a Youth Retreat near Huron. Numerous outbuildings were damaged or destroyed. The main building suffered significant roof damage, the support columns for the porch were dislodged or removed, and a metal canopy next to the building was destroyed. Several trees lost large limbs and two trees were uprooted. Debris from the retreat was scattered up to a half mile away. A NWS survey confirmed straight line winds or a microburst was responsible for the damage.
May 2007Thunderstorm WindBlum$60,000Hundreds of trees were damaged or blown down across Northern Hill county. Windows were blown out on the west side of a school in Blum and temporary repair structures on a field house were blown away at Itasca High School. Two truck rigs were blown over on Interstate 35W.
November 2024Thunderstorm WindLake Whitney$50,000A large metal barn was destroyed on the south side of Lake Whitney. A nearby metal building was also damaged with the garage doors pushed in and part of a metal carport tossed into the next yard.
April 2024Tornado (EF1)Abbott$50,000A tornado occurred near Abbott, first developing on the west side of I-35W and CR 2341 where trees were damaged and uprooted. A semi-tractor trailer was rolled over on the interstate. The tornado moved northeast causing tree damage until it reached CR 3106 where it caused minor damage to a few homes. The tornado dissipated after crossing CR 3106 again, north of CR 3145. Maximum estimated winds were 95 mph.
October 2018Tornado (EF1)Chat$50,000The survey team determined a second tornado occurred on the east side of I-35, a little over 3.5 miles southeast of downtown Hillsboro. Tornado damage was first seen at the end of HCR 3267 where a few trees were damaged and one home lost its roof deck. Then, this tornado produced damage consistent with an EF1 wind speed of 100 mph on HCR 3267 where one home lost a substantial portion of the roof, deck, walls and windows. The tornado destroyed a small storage shed, and it also damaged a RV trailer and small boat. The RV and the boat were picked up and tossed a few yards from their original location.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindWoodbury$50,000The emergency manager reported extensive damage to several barns and numerous trees in Woodbury.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindBlum$50,000The emergency manager reported extensive thunderstorm wind damage in Blum. A storm chaser reported large tree limbs were snapped off along FM 933 north of Blum.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindItasca$50,000The emergency manager reported thunderstorm wind damage to roofs and businesses in Itasca. One person was injured by a falling tree.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindHillsboro$50,000Multiple units in a mobile home park east of Hillsboro suffered damage and numerous tree limbs were broken off.
August 2009Thunderstorm WindHillsboro$50,000A 14 inch diameter tree was knocked down at the city manager's residence in Hillsboro, and another large tree fell onto a truck causing minor damage. In addition, roofs were blown off several barns in western parts of Hillsboro. Power lines and 4 to 5 inch diameter tree limbs were knocked down throughout the city.
March 2004Thunderstorm WindHillsboro$50,000An 18 wheeler was blown over on Interstate 35 in the south part of town, a mobile home south of town was destroyed, a barn was unroofed west of Hillsboro, and 4 buildings were damaged at the Prairie ValleyPresbyterian Camp about 15 miles southwest of Hillsboro.
November 1994Thunderstorm WindItasca$50,000A house was unroofed and several mobile homes were blown over.
April 2014HailItasca$40,000Trained spotters reported ping pong ball sized hail in Itasca.
March 2007Flash FloodItasca$40,000Many streets in Itasca and Hillsboro were closed due to flooding. Five homes and three bridges were damaged by the floodwaters, and eight high water rescues were required.
June 2007Flash FloodAbbott$40,000Interstate 35 at exit 366 near Abbott was under water, and a bridge on CR 2415 south west of Peoria was washed away. Street flooding was also reported in Hillsboro.
October 2001Tornado (F1)Abbott$40,000A tornado touched down 2 miles northwest of Birome and moved east northeast 0.7 of a mile before dissipating. The damage path was mostly across open country, but heavy damage occurred to a mobile home and a barn.
April 2011HailItasca$35,000The COOP Observer in Itasca reported hail stones up to 3.5 inches in diameter.
April 2008Thunderstorm WindCovington$35,000Damage was reported to roofs and outbuildings. Barns were also blown down.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindItasca$30,000A tractor-trailer was overturned on Interstate 35W between mile markers 7 & 8.
April 2008Flash FloodVaughan$30,000Cars stalled on FM 1713 and CR 1212 north of Whitney. Water was reported over Highway 22 in Peoria. Water was also reported over several other county and farm roads. Flood waters washed away road base in some cases.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindHillsboro$30,000The awning and marquee of the historic Texas Theater on Waco Street was torn off. Support cables for the awning were also pulled from the wall.
April 1999Thunderstorm WindHillsboro$25,000Thunderstorm winds damaged two barns, destroyed a carport, blew two trucks off the road, and caused damage to a house.
April 2011HailItasca$25,000no account filed
January 1996Thunderstorm WindLake Whitney$25,000no account filed
May 1981Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed

Mines and quarries

4 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 4 workings inside this county. All of them still produce. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Limestone, General2
Calcium1
Stone, Crushed/Broken1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Arnold PitStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Blum Quarry and PlantCalciumProducer
Oalstrom PitLimestone, GeneralProducer
Unnamed QuarryLimestone, GeneralProducerSedimentary

Every populated place in the county

43

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.