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Physical Features: North central county; level to rolling; blackland soils, some sandy loams; drains to Brazos River; Lake Whitney, Aquilla Lake.

Economy: Agribusiness, tourism, varied manufacturing.

History: Waco and Tawakoni area, later Comanches. Believed to be Indian “council spot,” a place of safe passage without evidence of raids. Anglo-Americans of the Robertson colony arrived in the early 1830s. Fort Graham established in 1849. County created from Navarro County in 1853, organized the same year; named for G.W. Hill, Republic of Texas official.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 69.8; Black, 6.8; Hispanic, 21.4; Asian, 0.6; Other, 1.1; Two or more races, 1.9.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 389; deaths, 455; marriages, 211; divorces, 124.

Recreation: Lake activities; Lake Whitney State Park, excursion boat on Lake Whitney; Texas Heritage Museum including Confederate and Audie Murphy exhibits, historic structures, rebuilt frontier fort barracks; motorcycle track.

Minerals: Gas, limestone.

Agriculture: Corn, cattle, sorghum, wheat, cotton, dairies, turkeys. Market value $114 million. Some firewood marketed.

HILLSBORO (8,371) county seat; agribusiness, varied manufacturing, retail, outlet center, tourism, antiques malls; Hill College; hospital; Cell Block museum, restored courthouse; Cotton Pickin Fair in September.

Whitney (2,163) manufacturing, stone works, government/services; hospital; museum; Pioneer Days in October.

Other towns include: Abbott (371); Aquilla (107); Blum (457); Brandon (75); Bynum (200); Carl’s Corner (174); Covington (273); Hubbard (1,403) agriculture, machine shop, antiques, museum, library, Magnolias & Mistletoe Victorian Christmas celebration; Irene (170); Itasca (1,677); Malone (272); Mertens (130); Mount Calm (326); Penelope (205).

Wildflowers at Lake Whitney.