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Killeen, Texas

Home to Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), one of the largest military installations in the world, Killeen's identity is inseparable from the Army.

Founded 1882 | Population 164,045 | Peak 164,045 (2024) | County Bell County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Killeen, Texas

1942Camp Hood Established: The massive military installation was built for WWII tank destroyer training, eventually becoming one of the Army's largest bases.

1882Railroad Town Founded: Killeen was established as a stop on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway.

1991Luby's Massacre: A gunman killed 23 people at a Luby's restaurant in Killeen, then the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

2009Fort Hood Shooting: Major Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 30 at Fort Hood in a mass shooting at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center.

2023Fort Hood Renamed Fort Cavazos: The base was renamed for General Richard Cavazos, the first Hispanic four-star general in the U.S. Army.

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Complete Historical Timeline

1882 Transport

Railroad town founded

1942 Government

Camp Hood established

1950 Government

Army base made permanent

1991 Disaster

Luby's massacre kills 23

2009 Disaster

Fort Hood shooting kills 13

2020 Disaster

Vanessa Guillén case

2023 Government

Fort Hood renamed Fort Cavazos

Did You Know?

Fort Cavazos covers 340 square miles — larger than many cities — and supports two full Army divisions.

The 1991 Luby's massacre in Killeen directly led to Texas passing concealed carry legislation.

The Vanessa Guillén case at Fort Hood in 2020 led to major reforms in how the military handles sexual harassment and violence.

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