Hockley, Texas facts for kids
Hockley is an unincorporated community located in Harris County, Texas, on Texas State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 290, about five miles southeast of the city hall of Waller, and 36 mi (57.9 km) northwest of downtown Houston.
The community serves as the main hub for railway traffic serving Houston, Austin, and many parts of Central Texas. The Southern Pacific (now known as Union Pacific) rail line is one of the community's major employers. The community is surrounded by grain farms and cattle ranches.
History
George Washington Hockley established Hockley in 1835. In 1906, a salt dome was discovered near Hockley and mined, especially for sulfur.
Parks and recreation
The county operates the Hockley Community Center at 28515 Old Washington Road. In 1982 the county bought 24 acres (97,000 m2) of land for a maintenance center and a community center. Bob Eckels, then the commissioner of Precinct 3, got a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Hermes Reed Hindman – Architects, Inc. developed the building and AIA Engineers and Contractors, Inc. served as the contractor. Construction ended in 1986.
The county operates Hockley Park at 28515 Old Washington Road at the community center site.
Economy
In September 2008, Hewlett-Packard acquired 97 acres (39 ha) of land near Hockley in a proposed 389-acre (157 ha) industrial park planned by John Beeson of Beeson Properties and Monzer Hourani of Medistar Corp. It paid an undisclosed sum to Beeson and Hourani, the land's previous owners. Hewlett Packard's proposed $250 million facility would be near the intersection of Betka Road and U.S. Highway 290, in close proximity to the Harris County-Waller County line, 18 miles (29 km) from HP's main greater Houston offices, and northwest of the city of Houston.
Education
Hockley is within the Waller Independent School District.
Schools serving Hockley include:
- Waller High School (Unincorporated Harris County)
Rosehill Christian School now located in the Rose Hill area, was first founded in Hockley in 1989.
Notable residents
Hockley is home to eight-time world-champion calf roper Fred Whitfield. He is the first African-American to win the world championship and was also named the PRCA All Around Champion in 1999. It is also the location of legendary racecar driver A. J. Foyt's ranch.
