The flagship of service-oriented developments to the community consists of the Killeen Mall, Target, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Toys R Us, Lowe’s and a variety of restaurants and food stores. The indoor mall, conveniently located near the Central Texas Expressway (U.S. 190), has a unique architectural setting with more than 100 retail stores and restaurants.

The growing service environment has, since World War II, been driven by the ever-increasing military population at Fort Hood. In addition to the 80,000 Greater Killeen residents, Fort Hood pro-vides an additional 60,000 consumers, pushing the total number of residents using services to more than 140,000. Greater Killeen residents and the growing Central Texas population support four network affiliated TV stations in addition to full cable services.

Killeen was founded in 1882 by the Santa Fe Railroad to serve as a shipping station for cotton and cattle; so it is fitting that transportation and Killeen’s central location continue to play significant roles in the city’s development.

The Killeen Daily Herald, radio stations KLFX-FM, KNCT-FM, and KIIZ-FM, and KWTX-TV Channel 10, KCEN-TV Channel 6, KXXV-TV Channel 25, and KNCT-TV Channel 46 keep Killeen residents abreast of current events and pro-vide entertainment.

A center point in the state, Killeen is less than three hours by highway from Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio and four hours from Houston, three of the 10 largest metropolitan areas in the United States.

An hour north of Austin by car, Killeen is located in the northern third of the growth corridor between San Antonio to the south and Waco to the north. The Central Texas Expressway connects Killeen with Interstate 35, the four lane highway that stretches from Duluth, Minn., to Laredo, Texas. Killeen has 20 arriving and departing buses scheduled daily and a municipal airport with daily flights to Dallas International and Houston International Airports.

Five public athletic complexes, located on large tracts of land around Killeen, teem with activity during spring, summer and fall. Tennis, basketball, softball, swimming, even motorcross, rodeo and model airplane facilities are available. Eight additional neighborhood parks and five recreation centers, as well as the community center, are operated by the Killeen Parks and Recreation Department. Five public, military and private golf courses offer a variety of challenges to Killeen golfers. Four public and military bowling centers offer a variety of league and tournament play.

Since 1976, the Vive Les Arts Society has developed and promoted the arts in Killeen. In addition to bringing symphony and ballet to Killeen, the society has sponsored the Vive Les Arts Theater. Founded in 1979, the theater is the most significant undertaking of the society to date. In addition to the six show season, the theater has acting classes and special performances scheduled throughout the year.

Tarleton State University offers higher level baccalaureate and graduate programs. Founded in 1973, this private, non-profit, co-educational independent University is located midway between Killeen and Copperas Cove and adjacent to Fort Hood.

The Central Texas College District might well have a familiar ring to many newcomers. Its inter-national scope includes seven campus locations and more than 300 facilities at military installations worldwide. Under its umbrella, the system serves an enrollment of 250,000 students.

Of these approximately 6,000 students attend the home-based Killeen campus, and an additional 6,000 attend the CTC/Fort Hood campus.

The district is now composed of two operating units: Central Texas College and the University of Central Texas.

The heart of any community’s education system is generally its public school system. The Killeen Independent School District serves approximately 29,000 students in Killeen, Harker Heights, Fort Hood and Nolanville. Its educational network covers four high schools, eight middle schools and 25 elementary schools, Career and Technology Center, Pathways Learning Center and two alternative campuses. Now numbered among the 50 largest school districts in the state, KISD has shown continuous growth since its inception in 1882.

KISD takes pride in the scores of district students on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) tests. Students have consistently shown improvement each year in the areas of reading, writing and math. In 1999, KISD celebrated its largest number ever of “recognized” and “exemplary” schools. The Texas Education Agency reports that the district had two “exemplary” and 15 “recognized” schools. In addition to the recognition by TEA, two elementary schools were named as Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

Elementary schools in Killeen ISD include grades pre-kindergarten through five. Pre-kindergarten focuses on socialization and developing a love for learning through language arts, math and physical education. Reading, science, social studies and fine arts are added in grades kindergarten through three. Health is added to the curriculum at grades four and five.

Students in grades six through eight attend the district’s middle schools. They take courses in English language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education and fine arts. Texas history/ geography, U.S. history/citizenship, advanced science, and computer literacy are added in grades seven and eight. Electives are also available in athletics, band, choir, theatre, and art.

High school students have a choice of degree plans supplemented by a wide array of elective and advanced courses. Highly motivated students can earn additional grade points by taking honors/pre-advanced placement and advanced placement classes.

Students’ progress is reported to the families of elementary and middle school students through parent conferences. Fort Hood leadership cooperates in this effort by allowing soldiers with students to regard the schools as their place of duty during the conference period. Several other area businesses give employees paid time off for the conferences.

An important part of every community is its health care facilities. The Killeen areas complete health care capabilities provide the full spectrum of diagnostic and treatment specialties. Metroplex Hospital, a modern community hospital and area clinics, assure competent competitive care for Killeen residents. Outpatient care can be handled through many clinics including: Scott & White’s Killeen Clinic; Killeen Medical Arts Center; Clear Creek Medical Plaza; Central Texas Medical and Kings Daughter’s Clinic.