Built in 1863, this historic cabin was home to early Texas pioneer John Churchill Gaines Blackburn. The cabin has been moved three times and the cabin that exists today is half of the original "dog run" style structure. The cabin was originally built in Palo Alto, about four miles northeast of the cabin’s current location, where Blackburn's homestead was located. The cabin and Palo Alto were absorbed into what is now Fort Hood in the 1950s, so the cabin was moved at that time in order to preserve it. The cabin was moved to this location and dedicated in 1986. The Blackburn family cemetery remains in its original location of old Palo Alto on the Fort Hood installation.
Constructed prior to 1882, the year that the community of Killeen was established, Bethel Primitive Baptist Church is one of the oldest structures in the city. The church was originally located in Palo Alto (about 4 miles NE of Killeen) and the congregation shared this location with several other denominations. Killeen was established as a railroad stop and as it grew, it gradually absorbed many of Palo Alto’s residents. This frame church, along with several other Palo Alto buildings, was moved to Killeen after the arrival of the railroad in 1882.
Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center is a revitalization of the Oleo Strut GI coffeehouse from the GI anti-Vietnam War movement. During the Vietnam War a number of GI coffeehouses sprang up near different forts throughout the United States. These establishments gave the soldiers a place where they could freely vocalize their feelings on the war. Similar to the GI coffeehouses from the Vietnam War, the Under the Hood Cafe and Outreach Center wishes to provide a safe place to voice their opinions and seek help from others. This organization offers services for GI's and veterans. It is primarily run by Vietnam Veterans and others that are anti-war but pro-GI rights. Several of the participants are people who refute the necessity or do not condone the entrance of the Iraq War.
Named after the shock absorbing part on a helicopter, the Oleo Strut was a GI Coffeehouse that operated during 1968-1972. In the beginning, it was a place for GI's to spend their free time leisurely but later developed into protests and other methods to further the anti-war movement. It was one of several GI coffeehouses that contributed to the soldier anti-war effort during the Vietnam War. It was a center where GI's who disagreed with the war could openly voice their opinions. A number of GI newspapers also debuted through these coffeehouses. Popular anti-war advocates also were able to visit these establishments and speak freely. Jane Fonda was one of the anti-war advocates to visit the Oleo Strut.
One of two museums at Fort Hood, this museum shares the history of the 3rd Cavalry which was established in 1846. At that time, this was the only regiment of mounted riflemen. Today the regiment is the only armored cavalry regiment. The museum tells the story of the regiment's history and transition from frontier warfare to modern military service. The museum is part of a campus that includes an outdoor static display of equipment as well as exhibits. There is also the Third Cavalry Association gift shop, children’s exhibits, a research room, and a classroom.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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Created in 1882 thanks to the arrival of the railroad and named in honor of Frank P. Killeen, a civil engineer who worked for the railroad, Killeen was a center of regional commerce and served nearby farming communities prior to World War II when Fort Hood was created. This walking tour includes some of the historic sites from the 19th century as well as the military history museum at Fort Hood.
