Hearne plans murals, housing and incentives to revive downtown
Walmart supports many small towns in America; neighborhood businesses back others. Hearne, Texas, has neither. The local Walmart closed its doors for the final time on New Year’s Eve in 1990, 10 years after its opening led downtown storefronts to shutter. But Hearne’s economic improvement plan will address these abandoned buildings through increased housing and business incentives. It will also add murals, improve parking downtown and beautify public spaces. Walmart’s aisles have been traded for hallways, as the former big-box store is now the local high school. Additionally, the town of about 4,500 is less than three hours from the state’s most populated cities and is a short drive from Bryan and College Station, home of Texas A&M University.
Hearne rebuilds with small stores and a strong food scene
Hearne continues to rebuild in Walmart’s wake. There are a few grocery stores in town, including Hearne Supermarket, Brookshire Brothers, Dollar General and Te-Jo’s, which is part convenience store, part laundromat. Aside from a Tractor Supply Co., big-box and local shopping are limited. The community does, however, offer a good number of dining options, from well-known chains to local spots. Oxtail Factory Restaurant has a rotating menu of homestyle soul food, featuring everything from fried chicken and mac and cheese to fried catfish and potato salad. Mary’s El Alamo Café serves Mexican favorites, while Penny’s Diner offers a retro vibe and large portions of American fare. There’s also a McDonald’s, Starbucks, Pizza Hut and Dairy Queen in town. A larger concentration of shopping and dining options can be found in Bryan and College Station, which are both less than 30 miles southeast.
Suburban homes range from fixer-uppers to new builds
Houses sit on suburban roads, where mature trees dot patchy front lawns. Small cottages and ranch-style homes are common. For under $100,000, buyers can find a property needing significant repairs. Properties from the 1950s and ‘60s can cost between $110,000 and $180,000, while new construction can range from $190,000 to $250,000. Homes on large plots of land or well-maintained historic houses run in the $250,000 to $380,000 range.
Zoned for Hearne Independent School District
The Hearne Independent School District gets a C-minus from Niche. Hearne Elementary gets a C-minus, Hearne Junior High is not graded by Niche and Hearne High School gets a C-plus and offers dual enrollment courses with Blinn College District.
Parks offer splash pads, trails and playgrounds across town
Many residents are within walking distance of Hearne’s small parks. Ruben Gomez Eastside Park features a swimming pool with a waterslide, volleyball courts, a playground, a ball field and paved walking trails wandering through green space. The Hearne Municipal Golf Course is next to the park and features nine holes, which can be played as 18. Nearby Bob Jones Park also features a playground and walking trails through grassy areas, as well as fitness equipment. Godfrey Gentry Park has a small splash pad, where the water looks like it’s coming out of a spout from an old barrel. There’s also a basketball court and playground here.
The Hearne Railroad Museum Depot celebrates the community’s heritage and culture. Housed within the town’s historic depot, the museum explores Hearne’s history as a railroad hub through interactive displays, artifacts and personal testimonies.
Hearne is within driving distance of major Texas cities
While the neighborhood has a gridded street pattern and sidewalks in some areas, residents will probably need a car to get around due to busy roads and a lack of public transportation. U.S. routes 190 and 79 intersect in the community. Austin is about 99 miles southwest, Houston is about 120 miles southeast, Dallas-Fort Worth is about 150 miles north and San Antonio is about 170 miles southwest. For air travel, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about 90 miles southwest. In case of emergency, St. Joseph’s Regional Hospital in Bryan is about 23 miles south.
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Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
