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City of Copperas Cove 
Copperas Cove, a city with a proud heritage and a bright future, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for its citizens. Pleasant neighborhoods are located throughout the city with many options in sizes, prices and architectural designs of homes. There are many choices for buyers seeking a home for a small family, a growing family or one with an abundance of plush amenities. Prime locations, such as areas with views of the hill country or overlooking a golf course, have been developed into prestigious neighborhoods with executive homes. Rural living is also available. Many developments surrounding the city provide homes with acreage. Wild turkey, deer, armadillos and roadrunners are a common sight in the rolling hills surrounding Copperas Cove. The wildlife, large oaks and mesquite sage and cacti form a picturesque scene of country living, yet the conveniences of the city are only a short distance away. Copperas Cove Independent School District includes seven elementary schools, two intermediate schools, two junior high schools, and one high school. CCISD is highly regarded by the townspeople and the educational agencies throughout the state for the quality education offered to students. Local support and interest in the young people and the school system have been determining factors in promoting the high achievement levels obtained by students on state and national standardized tests. The many awards, trophies, and certificates received by students and faculty alike demonstrate the professionalism, ability and caring of the entire school system. In addition to the public schools, private kindergartens and parochial schools are available. Recreation is bountiful in Copperas Cove. The city park, with meandering creeks running through tree shaded grounds, has a picnic area, swimming pool, tennis court, and plenty of room for baseball games, soccer and enjoying a lazy afternoon. Copperas Cove is a flourishing city with much to offer its residents of all ages
General Facts About The Area
Copperas Cove, once spelled Coperas Cove, is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 190 and Farm Road 116, twenty-four miles southwest of Gatesville in southern Coryell County. In the 1870s the community centered around a small store about two miles southwest of the present townsite. Late that decade residents of the community applied for a post office under the name Cove, but postal authorities rejected the name because a Texas post office by that name already existed. The name Coperas Cove was then submitted, inspired by the mineral taste of the water in a nearby spring. The Coperas Cove post office was established in March 1879 with Marsden Ogletree as postmaster.
A feeder route of the Chisholm Trail passed through Coperas Cove, making the cattle industry of primary importance to the local economy. When the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railway built its track across the southern corner of Coryell County in 1882, residents of Coperas Cove moved their community two miles to the northeast in order to take better advantage of the rail service. By 1884 the town had a steam gristmill-cotton gin, five general stores, a hotel, and 150 residents. By the mid-1890s the population had risen to 300, and residents had voted to form their own school district. Although cattle production continued to be important to the local economy, area farmers began to devote more of their resources to the production of cotton, small grains, and feed crops, and by 1900 farming was the dominant occupation.
The spelling of the community's name was officially changed in 1901; at that time Copperas Cove had an opera house, three hotels, and a variety of businesses. A local private bank opened in 1906. By the time residents elected their first mayor in 1913, the population had grown to 600. The number of residents continued to increase through the 1920s, to a high of 650 in 1929. Copperas Cove began to decline with the onset of the Great Depressionqv in the early 1930s. The local bank failed, several businesses closed, and many people left to look for work in other areas. By the 1940s only 356 residents remained.
Copperas Cove received a much-needed boost in the early 1940s, when the United States government chose southeastern Coryell and northwestern Bell counties as the site for Camp Hood, a new military training center. By the 1950 census the community had grown to 1,052 residents. When the military established Fort Hoodqv as a permanent base in 1950, Copperas Cove began to grow at an even faster rate, and the city limit eventually extended southwest into Lampasas County. The population was estimated at 4,567 in 1960, at 10,818 in 1970, and at 19,469 in 1980. Most of the new residents were either attracted by the job opportunities associated with Fort Hood or chose to remain in the area after retirement from the military. By 1990 Copperas Cove had several manufacturing establishments, a wide variety of businesses, a hospital, and a population of 24,079. In 2000 the population was 29,592.
POINTS OF INTEREST
There's always something going on in Cove! Where community celebrations are concern, Copperas Cove takes a back seat to no other city. Folks here enjoy quality family entertainment, and have created events to make sure the good times roll on throughout the year!
Each spring, the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau presents the Annual Rabbit Fest. Held in City Park, the festival features a top-quality carnival, dozens of food booths, games, a flea market, and arts and crafts vendors. Experience entertainment nightly on an open-air stage. Visit Rabbit Fest Online at www.rabbitfest.com.
About the same time each year, the Chamber sponsors the annual "Taste of Cove." Rapidly becoming a favorite with area residents, Taste of Cove allows local retail and service businesses to show off their cuisine, often providing free samples of their specialties.
In the fall – on the third weekend of October – Copperas Cove celebrates it's pioneer past with the Annual Ogletree Gap Heritage Festival. Staged in Ogletree Gap Park on the city’s west side, the festival is highlighted by authentic demonstrations of pioneer crafts and skills. The festival draws dozens of Civil War re-enactors who set up period-perfect campsites on the festival grounds with several realistic skirmishes. Also taking place, is the Gallop or Trot 5K, a chip timed race sponsored by Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce. At this race you'll run through the city park and the gentle rolling hills in Copperas Cove's residential area, and enjoy free access to the Ogletree Gap Heritage Festival for the rest of the afternoon. Fall is also the time for the Business to Business Showcase that shows off businesses' ware's and services.
Finishing up the year in style is the Copperas Cove Downtown Association’s annual Krist Kindl’ Markt holiday bazaar. In old-world fashion, the association opens the downtown area to dozens of vendor booths that offer visitors a wide variety of handmade gifts and a plethora of seasonal food items in an outdoor setting. The bazaar runs Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday on the first full weekend of December. Saturday is highlighted by the annual Chamber of Commerce Children’s Christmas Parade, marking the first official appearance of Santa Claus in the Copperas Cove area.
Neighborhood Information
Parks & Recreation
South Park, located at 2602 Dennis Dr. has a hike/bike trail beside a local creek. One of three swimming pools is located at this park. It also has two sand volleyball courts, a children's playscape and two youth soccer fields.
 
Ogletree Gap Preserve located at 1878 Post Office Rd. has the original stage stop at this historical town site. This is a beautiful area for exploring and walking and is the site for the annual Ogletree Gap Heritage Festival held each October.
City Park Complex located at 1206 W. Ave B is an 88-acre park with picnic areas, grills, children playscapes, soccer fields, baseball and softball fields, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts. The newly renovated Olympic size swimming pool features a diving well, a circular slide and a children's play area with a mushroom fountain. Don't forget your fishing pole and try your luck at the "duck pond". City Park also has a 13 site R.V. Park with electrical, water and waste disposal. Reservations are from one day to one month.
Hills of Cove Golf Course is an 18-hole facility owned and operated by the City of Copperas Cove. The original 9 was built in 1972 and was recently expanded to 18 holes with an additional 9 holes that wind their way through the rolling terrain of Northeast Copperas Cove. The course is a par 71 with 5 scenic and challenging par 3's with the shortest being 130 yards and the longest able to play 230 yards. Hills of Cove is open 7 days a week and tee times are accepted. Golfers can make tee times up to 7 days ahead by calling 254-547-2606. With the expansion to 18 holes, the facilities and services were upgraded as well. Hills of Cove offers a teaching professional, a full service pro shop, lighted driving range, snack bar, and a fleet of 40 carts. So, whether you want to play a quiet round of golf with friends, have a great lunch, or set up a tournament, Hills of Cove Golf Course can take care of your needs.
 
Dining
Copperas Cove boasts some of the best eateries this side of the Brazos. International cuisines offered represent every corner of the globe - from Mexican to Chinese, Szechwan to German, Greek to Italian and (of course!) good old-fashioned chicken fried steak. A wide assortment of franchise restaurants line the main highway. Some of Cove’s local favorite’s are Mel’s Burger Joint & Lil’ Tex Family Dining.
Shopping
Although Copperas Cove doesn’t have a mall, there is Killeen Mall in nearby Killeen, which houses a variety of different specialty shops & major department stores. Copperas Cove is home to Beall’s Department Store, Super Wal-Mart, & HEB Grocery Store. A variety of retail stores & strip malls are placed throughout the city.
Transportation
Arrow Trailways of Texas and Kerrville Bus Line serve the greater Fort Hood area with bus service at all times of the day. The “Hop” offers local service throughout the Killen/Harker Heights/Belton/Temple areas.
Hospitals
There are several hospitals serving the community: Metroplex Hospital, Rollins Brook Hospital, Scott & White Hospital, and Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.
Airport
The Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport is located at 8101 Clear Creek Road in Killeen, and offers commuter air transportation to the DFW International Airport through two airlines, ASA and American Eagle. Recently, Continental Airlines added commuter services to the Houston Airport.
To view Copperas Cove's official website, click on the following link:
www.ci.copperas-cove.tx.us
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