Temple, TX

Temple, Texas, founded in 1881, was named for Bernard Moore Temple, chief engineer of the Santa Fe Railroad. Temple has since grown from its railroad roots and is now known for the array of wildflowers that grow there and for the community's thriving health care industry, with more medical doctors per capita than anywhere else in the country. Temple lies in Central Texas's Bell County, off Interstate 35. The city spans 65 square miles and has a population of around 55,000.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Temple residents work together keeping neighborhoods and vacant lots clean through a neighborhood maintenance program called Neighborhood Pride. Residents of the city's 16 neighborhoods enjoy a short work commute in comparison with the national average, spending only 18 minutes driving to work each day. For daily commutes, many people in Temple take the Hop, a public transportation service that offers several fixed, rural and urban routes.

The city has a diverse population base with Hispanic or Latino residents accounting for 18 percent of the total. Temple citizens have a relatively higher education level than the national average, with 23 percent holding at least a bachelor's degree.

The top 10 neighborhoods according to house value are:

• H. K. Dodgen Loop / Thornton Lane
• Midway
• H. K. Dodgen Loop / West Loop
• Smith
• Airport Road / Pea Ridge Road
• Airport Road / Adams Avenue
• Third Street / Park Avenue
• Little River Academy
• First Street / Young Avenue
• H. K. Dodgen Loop / Adams Avenue

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

With approximately 10,000 employees, Scott and White Memorial Hospital is the city's largest employer. Aside from its reputation as a health-care center, Temple has a diversified economy, boasting multiple processing plants, manufacturing facilities, distribution firms, retail enterprises, and software and communications businesses.

Major employers in Temple include:

• Wilsonart International, a leading manufacturer of plastic laminates.
• McLane Co., a convenience store distribution company.
• Pactiv, a plastics consumer packing operation.

Health care facilities include:

• Scott and White Memorial Hospital, affiliated with Texas & University Health Science Center College of Medicine, is a well-respected teaching hospital. The facility offers state-of-the-art comprehensive health care and is one the country's largest medical centers.
• King's Daughters Hospital, founded almost a century ago, is a full-service hospital offering the latest developments in medical technology.
• King's Daughters Clinic was established by a group of doctors as a multispecialty clinic.
• The Olin E. Teague Veterans Center is part of the state's Veterans Administration medical complex. The center serves 200,000 veterans living in 40 counties.

Temple residents have a per capita income higher than the national average. However, approximately 11 percent of families live below the poverty line.

BEST BETS

Temple has many antiques shops and a superb historic district featuring a variety of museums, renovated buildings and homes with architectural styles dating back more than a century.

• The Railroad and Heritage Museum is located inside the restored Santa Fe Depot, originally built in 1910. Visitors enjoy viewing the working Amtrak station, telegraph room and model trains.
• The Santa Fe Gardens provide a tranquil escape from city life. The gardens feature many plant varieties native to Texas, as well as picnic tables and gazebos.
• The Temple Symphony Orchestra performs an artistic selection of musical productions throughout the year.
• Azalee Marshall Cultural Activities Center contains five different art galleries, each with its own exhibit, which changes every six weeks.
• The Temple College Visual Arts Complex showcases 100 students' paintings, drawings, photography and ceramic pieces.

Many tours celebrating the area's history are offered as well:

• Bicycle Tour of Historic Homes
• Driving Tour of Historic Homes
• Innovators and Leaders of Hillcrest Cemetery Walking Tour
• Pioneer's Trail Walking Tour
• Tour of Temple's Museums

EVENTS

• July Fourth Family Fun Fest is held at Miller Park. The event features live entertainment, games for children, arts and crafts, and the not-to-be-missed evening fireworks display.
• In September the annual Texas Train Festival is held at the Santa Fe Depot. It celebrates Temple's origins with historic reenactments and displays of everything railroad-related.
• A Civil War Reenactment is held in May in North Temple Industrial Park. Visitors experience history in person as they witness the Battle of Temple Junction, featuring pyrotechnic effects.

EDUCATION

• Temple College offers two-year degrees in several subjects, including business, nursing and information technology.
• Texas A&M University's Medical School works with Scott and White Memorial Hospital and the Veterans Hospital Center to educate health-care professionals.

LOCAL MEDIA

The Temple Daily Telegram is the city's daily newspaper.