The Great Place (Fort Hood nickname)
The military base of Fort Hood, outside of Killeen, has been called “The Great Place” since at least 1987, when a book was published titled Fort Hood, Texas: the great place. A local sign reads. Welcome To THE GREAT PLACE, FT. HOOD, TX.”
Wikipedia:Fort Hood
Fort Hood is a United States military post located outside of Killeen, Texas. The post is named after Confederate General John Bell Hood. It is located halfway between Austin and Waco, about 60 miles (97 km) from each, within the U.S. state of Texas.
Its origin was the need for wide-open space to test and train with World War II tank destroyers. The War Department announced the location in January 1942, and the initial completion was set for that August. As originally constructed, Fort Hood had an area of 158,706 Acres, with billeting for 6,007 officers and 82,610 enlisted personnel. The main cantonment of Fort Hood had a total population of 33,711, as of the 2000 U.S. Census. It is in Bell County, with some portions of the base in Coryell County.
The Official Website of Fort Hood, Texas
HISTORY OF THE GREAT PLACE
FortHood.com
Fort Hood, Texas
has been called the “Great Place”. It’s definitely a great place to be a soldier! The training areas are large with plenty of room for tanks. The impact area will handle most of the weapons systems in use today, and the locals don’t mind hearing artillery and tank fire. Some early mornings when out for a walk one can hear a M-60 in the distance. If you like being a soldier, or you like being around those who protect your freedoms, Fort Hood is definitely the place for you.
OCLC WorldCat record
Fort Hood, Texas : the great place
Author: Chet Nunley; Melody Caruthers
Publisher: Austin, Tex. : Capital Pub. Corp., ©1987.
Edition/Format: Book : English
Google Books
1990-91 Texas Almanac
By Mike Kingston
College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press
1989
Pg. 439:
Fort Hood
Fort Hood, home of the III Armored Mobile Corps, covers 339 square miles in Central Texas just west of Killeen, midway between Waco and Austin. Named for Confederate General John Bell Hood, the “Great Place,” as the post is now known throughout the United States Army, is the largest armored installation in the free world.
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From: Tim and Sabine Robinson
Date: 1998/01/12
Subject: Re: Where is everyone from???
I’m from Killeen, Texas; home of the United States Army’s largest continental U.S. base. The Great Place!!!
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From: “Dan”
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 16:21:11 GMT
Local: Fri, Jan 17 2003 10:21 am
Subject: Re: Goodbye Germany, hello Fort Hood!
welcome to “The Great Place” unless you have a pinpoint assignment, your orders should have said 21st Replacement Det.
I’m stationed at Ft. Hood as well. winter finally got here this week BTW, but will be gone in about a month.
The Times (London)
November 7, 2009
Fort Hood — the departure lounge to the front line for those of high-school age
Chris Ayres in Fort Hood, Texas
“Welcome to the GREAT place,” reads the sign outside the main entrance of Fort Hood, Texas, set in rolling lawns just off US Route 190 — otherwise known as the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
It certainly looks like a pleasant spot to live. In fact, it is hard to believe this 340 square mile, self-contained city of 70,000 people, which resembles a vast, sleepy university campus, is actually the world’s largest military facility.