TEXAS CENTRAL RAILROAD
(KATY RR)

The first railroad in Hamilton County was the Texas Central Railroad (Katy) which arrived 11 November, 1880.

In 1879 plans were made to build a railroad from Waco to Red Gap (now Cisco in Eastland County) to connect with a projected extension of the Texas and Pacific Railway. Initial plans for the railroad were changed from Duffau to a site about three miles north of Old Hico on Honey Creek. 

The Texas Central Railroad Company, which had been incorporated on 30 May, 1879, purchased the land for the Hico township from G. H. Medford. Texas Central Railroad chose to re-route because there was not any railroads  in Hamilton County.  On 11 November, 1880, Texas Central Railroad held the first sale of lots in the new town of Hico and train service was inaugurated to the new town. Lots were auctioned to the highest bidder and ranged in price from $150 for inside lots to $200 for corner lots. The first lot was purchased by J. C. Hutchingson and brother for $155. Herbert Weaver, Dave Barrow, Joe Stovall, and Mr. Sims were some of the people who purchased lots. By 1882 the Texas and Central Railroad was completed to Albany, Texas. The new location for Hico is twenty miles north of Hamilton.

The arrival of the railroad in Hico was a tremendous boost to the settlement and prosperity of Hamilton County whose population more than doubled between 1880 and 1900--from 6,365 to 13,520. At last Hamilton County had a fast, dependable, and easy access to the rest of the United States.  The train opened Hico to the remainder of the world, hence Hico became the market center for the county. When train service came to Hico, so also did telegraph service.  Hico prospered as the shipping center for Hamilton County.