Hillsboro’s Historical Significance

The City of Hillsboro traces its roots back to September 1853 when lots were drawn and sold in what today is Historic Downtown Hillsboro. For its first 30 years, Hillsboro was a dusty, frontier town known for farming and cattle raising.

Then the railroad came to town in 1881. Farm families from the Old South moved to Hillsboro, eager to take advantage of the rich soil for growing cotton. Several railroads eventually came through Hillsboro, in fact, along with an Interurban Electric Railway.  You can see the restored MKT railroad depot by visiting the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, and dine at R&K Cafe which was once the Interurban Electric Railway switching station.

In 1890 the population of Hill County was 27,853 and by 1900, had grown to 41,355.  Our downtown buildings and courthouse were primarily constructed in this period spanning 1881 to 1910.

Many of the original downtown buildings still exist today, and are home to businesses, restaurants and shops that buzz with activity during the week and Saturdays, and get very quiet on Sundays.  The restorations in the downtown area of Hillsboro, garnered recognition in 1981 by the Texas Historical Commission - naming Hillsboro as one of the first "Main Street" cities to receive the designation.  Hillsboro also has an official historic home district, but you can see gorgeous restored older homes in many locations in the city.

Hillsboro, Texas appears in countless stories ranging from runs-ins with Bonnie and Clyde, Elvis spending the night in our jail, a curious UFO event from 1897, and a few haunted homes and buildings as well.  A surprising number of famous actors, musicians, politicians and major businesses have their roots in Hillsboro, and many of them you will recognize.