The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 60, July 1956 - April, 1957 Page: 429
616 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Book Reviews
trial potential of Killeen, Texas, and the surrounding area made
by Olin A. Hardwick, Jr. It was prepared for this publication by
Alfred G. Dale. Both the study and the preparation were super-
vised by Dr. John R. Stockton, Director of the Bureau of Business
Research at the University of Texas. The survey was made at the
request of the Chamber of Commerce of Killeen when leaders
of the community became aware of the peril in the economic life
being centered around one basic industry, namely, the military
activity of Fort Hood and the Gray Air Force Base.
The investigation made by Mr. Hardwick was thorough and
comprehensive. Not only were all resources studied but all poten-
tials were examined and all phases of community life were con-
sidered. The arrangement of the data is logical, the text is read-
able, and the many charts, maps, and appendices add clarity and
interest. The purpose of the Chamber of Commerce was to
"secure expert advice on ways and means to broaden the basis
of business activity and to diversify the basic industry of the city
as an insurance against declines in one type of activity." There-
fore the authors have appraised the local factors, compared them
with those of other cities, and suggested ways and means of ex-
panding existing industries and of attracting new ones. They
have indicated the types of industry that might find the environ-
ment of Killeen favorable and have suggested directions in which
agriculture and dairying might extend.
Killeen is not the only town in Texas that has experienced acute
problems as the result of rapid growth, but it is a good example
of what can happen to a peaceful little agricultural village of
around 1300 inhabitants when massive growth is forced upon it.
The growth of Killeen was not inherent in the economic base.
It was the result of the establishment of Camp Hood as a training
center for armored forces. The increase in population from 1300
to 14,000 came so rapidly that all facilities, utilities, and sources
of supply were strained to the point that the first problem was to
adapt them to the new civic need. This having been done, civic
leaders considered it wise to plan for a more diversified economy,
thus this survey was instituted. Their example could well be
emulated by other cities. Besides being of immediate interest to429
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 60, July 1956 - April, 1957, periodical, 1957; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101163/m1/464/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.