Killeen, Texas is famous for the large military post Fort Hood that is located right next to it. And while the post does gain most of the city’s attention and is the most prominent landmark in the area, it is not the only thing going on in this Texas town. There are a lot of interesting cultural elements, entertainment options and intriguing landmarks that attract tourists and are part of the everyday lives of residents. Guests in the hotels Killeen may be interested in the fact that Elvis Presley spent training time at Fort Hood and this adds a certain amount of sensationalism to the post, though there is so much going on with the contemporary culture that pieces of historic trivia fade into the past.
Okay, there is also the fact the US Presidents are periodically seen on the base and much of the festival and parade activities are based on the military history and interaction with the era. And the base is a major economic support to the city and it’s common to see personal in the local establishments. But this still doesn’t mean that Killeen is dominated by the events and circumstances of Fort Hood . However, it can be conceded that the base plays a significant role in local culture and that it enhances the social atmosphere of the city.
Fort Hood regularly gains national attention and most recently this was due to the tragic shooting that occurred there in on November 5 of last year. This was an extremely unfortunate and unexpected occurrence and is vastly different than the majority of events that gain attention for the base. Fort Hood was built in 1942 and is named after the Confederate General John Bell Hood. Hood gained military recognition in the Civil War for his commanding of Hood’s Texas Brigade. Since the 1970s the base has played a major role in the training of soldiers and the testing and introduction of new military equipment. Fort Hood is one of the largest United States military installations in the country as well as throughout the world.