Hillje (pronounced "Hill-Gee") is an

unincorporated community An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...

Wharton County, Texas Wharton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 41,570. Its county seat is Wharton. The county was named for brothers William Harris Wharton and John Austin Wharton. Wharton County ...

, United States. According to the

Handbook of Texas The ''Handbook of Texas'' is a comprehensive encyclopedia of Texas geography, history, and historical persons published by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). History The original ''Handbook'' was the brainchild of TSHA President Wal ...

, the community had an estimated population of 51 in 2000. It is located within the

Greater Houston Greater Houston, designated by the United States Office of Management and Budget as Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land, is the fifth-most populous metropolitan statistical area in the United States, encompassing nine counties along the Gulf Co ...

metropolitan area.

History

The community was named for Fred Hillje, who purchased part of a local ranch in 1888. Many of its earliest settlers were of

Czech Czech may refer to: * Anything from or related to the Czech Republic, a country in Europe ** Czech language ** Czechs, the people of the area ** Czech culture ** Czech cuisine * One of three mythical brothers, Lech, Czech, and Rus' Places *Czech, ...

and

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

descent and came from

Weimar Weimar is a city in the state of Thuringia, Germany. It is located in Central Germany between Erfurt in the west and Jena in the east, approximately southwest of Leipzig, north of Nuremberg and west of Dresden. Together with the neighbouri ...

. The

New York, Texas and Mexican Railway The New York, Texas and Mexican Railway Company was a railroad business chartered in 1880 to connect New York City with Mexico City with the initial tracks laid in Texas. It was established by Joseph Telfener, an Italian engineer and financier. ...

had a

railroad siding A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line, branch line, or spur. It may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end. Sidings often have lighte ...

called the 45-mile post, which is where Hillje was laid out. L.C. Wychopen opened a general store in 1898. That next year, Hillje was severely damaged by a flood. A post office was established at Hillje in 1899 and remained in operation until 1907. Its population was 20 in 1915 and had the general store and a gin in 1926. The local tax roll listed 40 registered voters in Hillje. There were six women, a

mechanic A mechanic is an artisan, skilled tradesperson, or technician who uses tools to build, maintain, or repair machinery, especially cars. Duties Most mechanics specialize in a particular field, such as auto body mechanics, air conditioning and r ...

, and a few farmers, all of whom were White. There were five businesses in the community in 1931, as well as a factory, two churches, and a cemetery on the 1936 county highway map. 75 people lived in Hillje from 1939 to 1965; three years later, the population went down to 51 and had no businesses. It returned to five businesses in 1985 and had a church and a community hall. The population remained at 51 in 2000.

Geography

Hillje is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 59 (US 59) and FM 441 in western Wharton County, approximately 18 miles west of

Wharton Wharton may refer to: Academic institutions * Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania * Wharton County Junior College * Paul R. Wharton High School * Wharton Center for Performing Arts, at Michigan State University Places * Wharton, Ch ...

Economy

Hillje contains several businesses. Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse is one of the largest businesses in Hillje as well as one of the top employers.

Education

Hillje's first school was opened in 1895. Another school was built in 1926. Both schools had 155 White students, 14 black students, and four teachers. It had one school in 1936. Public education is provided by the Louise Independent School District. The district's campuses are located in

Louise Louise or Luise may refer to: * Louise (given name) Arts Songs * "Louise" (Bonnie Tyler song), 2005 * "Louise" (The Human League song), 1984 * "Louise" (Jett Rebel song), 2013 * "Louise" (Maurice Chevalier song), 1929 *"Louise", by Clan of ...

, a few miles west of Hillje on U.S. Highway 59 (US 59).

Notable person

Hugo Mark Gerbermann Hugo Mark Gerbermann, M.M. (September 11, 1913 - October 19, 1996) was an American-born Catholic missionary and bishop. As a member of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (Maryknoll) he was assigned to missions in Ecuador and Guatema ...

, Catholic

missionary A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group which is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Tho ...

and bishop.

Gallery

File:Hillje TX St Andrews Church.JPG, St. Andrew's Catholic Church File:Hillje TX St Andrews Cemetery.JPG, St. Andrew's Cemetery

Notes

External links

Louise-Hillje Chamber of Commerce
{{authority control Czech-American culture in Texas German-American culture in Texas Unincorporated communities in Wharton County, Texas Unincorporated communities in Texas