HAMILTON COUNTY

County Offices
102 North Rice
Hamilton 254-386-1202
http://www.co.hamilton.tx.us/

Chamber of Commerce
103 North Rice
Hamilton 254-386-3216
www.hamiltontexas.com/chamber-of-commerce

Ideally located almost midway between the Texas capital city of Austin and bustling Dallas, rural Hamilton County welcomes newcomers to a delightfully slower pace of life. Neighbors tend to greet each other by name and leave fresh strawberry preserves on the doorstep in this region of homespun charm and old-fashioned values.

Services
Students of all ages can access a quality education in Hamilton County, anchored by the Hamilton Independent School District. A strong core curriculum and opportunities for personal growth and expression combine with dedicated staff members who enjoy enthusiastic support and assistance from parents and the local community. Hamilton County is within the service area of Central Texas College in Killeen, a public community college that offers associate degrees and certificate programs in academic, professional, and vocational/technical fields. Credit and non-credit courses are available on a semester basis, and the city of Hamilton offers a CTC Community Coordinator to facilitate scheduling and course advisement close to home. Other public and private colleges and universities that are easily accessible for Hamilton County residents include Baylor University, Texas State Technical College, and McClellan Community College in Waco; Tarleton State University in Stephenville; Temple College in Temple; Howard Payne University in Brownwood; Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Mary Hardin Baylor University in Belton, and Hill College in Hillsboro.

Advanced healthcare is close to home in Hamilton County, where Hamilton General Hospital proudly carries on a tradition of patient-centered care in a modern, well-equipped setting. The hospital is part of the comprehensive services provided by the Hamilton Healthcare System, which includes a large rural health clinic, a special care clinic, and a wellness center. Founded as a non-profit, community-owned facility, the hospital serves residents of the city of Hamilton and those in surrounding communities. In addition to the full-time staff professionals at the 34-bed hospital, Hamilton Healthcare contracts with scores of additional specialists who make regular visits. One of the reasons that the level of care at Hamilton General is so outstanding is that staff members know many of the patients before they are ever admitted. Many are friends, neighbors, or familiar faces seen at the grocery store. Beyond being a “hospital with heart,” Hamilton General is equipped to perform many specialized procedures including advance imaging and a 24-hour emergency room that is designated Trauma IV. The Hamilton Healthcare System Fitness Center underlines a commitment to proactively promoting health and well-being, and the wellness center also provides a cardiac rehabilitation program and other valuable classes.

Lifestyle
Newcomers to panoramic Hamilton County will discover postcard images of rolling prairies, patchwork farmland, tree-shaded rivers, and sparkling creeks flowing through hills and valleys. Small, rural communities dot the landscape with residential neighborhoods and commercial conveniences. The county seat of Hamilton, considered a small town by many standards, is the leading municipality. The traditional economic activity of agriculture continues to play a major role. At the same time, locally produced goods, retail businesses, specialty shops, and professional offices add to the economic strength and contribute to a convenient lifestyle in a country setting. The mild four-season climate and abundant open space encourage outdoor enjoyment like fishing, boating, and other water sports at City Lake, Cowhouse Creek, the Leon River, and nearby Lake Proctor. Hiking, cycling, horseback riding, camping, and hunting are popular pastimes. As many as 5,000 visitors enjoy the Hamilton County Dove Festival, celebrating the opening of dove season with an old-fashioned fair and rodeo.

Those with an appreciation for the arts will be pleased to know that the acclaimed Hamilton Civic Theater performs a season of live stage shows each year that culminates with a children’s Christmas pageant. The newly renovated Hamilton Fine Arts Center provides visual art exhibits, seminars, art and dance classes, and other cultural enrichment programs and activities. Scores of active civic organizations serve a variety of age groups and community needs as well as educational and recreational interests, giving newcomers an opportunity to become immediately involved. Hamilton Public Library is another valuable resource, providing more than 20,000 books in addition to interlibrary loans and computers for Internet access. The Circle T Arena is a popular destination, covering three acres with facilities for rodeo events, dining and dancing opportunities, and Western retail shopping. The housing options are as varied as the scenic terrain, offering cozy neighborhoods, historic homes, log cabins, lakefront property, wooded acreage, horse farms, sprawling ranches, and quaint farmhouses. The charm of Hamilton County is undeniable, a blend of warmth, friendliness, and welcoming spirit.

Hamilton
City Offices
254-386-8116
www.hamiltontexas.com

Chamber of Commerce
254-386-3216
www.hamiltontexas.com/chamber-of-commerce

Nestled in the picturesque valley of Pecan Creek, the county seat of Hamilton serves as the hub of business, government, and commerce in Hamilton County. Lovely shade trees, four-season natural beauty, historic homes and buildings, and a lively downtown district are a few of the visual delights. The majestic Hamilton County Courthouse still serves as the center of life and anchors the community’s commerce on the Town Square. Three parks cover more than 60 acres of land with recreational sites and sports equipment. Pecan Creek Park is a linear greenbelt that winds through 10 blocks of the downtown district. A swimming pool, a new sports complex with ball fields, and a private country club ensure an active lifestyle for residents of all ages. Annual celebrations and festivals, parades, home tours, live theatre performances, golf tournaments, Market Days on the Square, the Billy the Kid Museum, a roping and rodeo arena, a modern hospital, and quality schools are other highlights of this appealing small city in the heart of rural Central Texas.