Sunday, October 28, 2007

Newcomers 2007

69

Belton: Keeping its ties

to past, ready for future

10,000-square-feet to the museum.

Special to the Daily Herald

The Nolan Creek Hike and Bike Trail

Belton, with a population of more

was completed last year, a 1.5-mile trail

han 15,000, has a rich, colorful his-

along Nolan Creek in Belton from Con-

tory that the city has been successful

federate Park near Interstate 35 to a

in preserving.

grassy field next to the Mount Zion

United Methodist Church. Ten pocket

Belton was established in 1850 as the

county seat for the new Bell County The

.

parks are positioned along the trail.

County Courthouse on the square in

The plan for the trail is to one day

downtown Belton was built in 1886 and

hook up with other trails across the

county such as the one that is under

,

is the third courthouse of Belton -- the

construction in Killeen.

first was a log cabin on blocks.

A few weeks after the trail opened, the

The courthouse underwent a renova-

tion to restore it to its original structure

city's first community center opened.

complete with a bell tower. The project

The Harris Community Center, for-

merly T.B. Harris High School, is adja-

was completed in 2000.

Since then, Belton has completed a

cent to the hike and bike trail.

number of projects designed to enhance

The center has several meeting rooms

the city's appeal to tourists and to im-

for use by civic organizations, a small

prove the quality of life for Beltonians.

kitchen, and what was six classrooms

Last year, the Bell County Museum

have been converted into one large room

on Main Street completed its more than

for events, such as wedding receptions

$1 million expansion project. The proj-

or conventions.

ect linked the 6,000-square-foot Carne-

In September 2006, Belton was nomi-

gie Building, built in 1905, to the Guffy

Building next door, adding an additional

Please see Belton, Page 70

FACILITIES / SERVICES

•

100% smoke free facility

•

102 guestrooms (12 suites)

•

Great American Grill® serving breakfast

•

Evening room service

•

Pavilion Lounge

•

Outdoor pool and whirlpool

Workout facility and Stay Fit Kit® available for check out

•

•

24-Hour Pavilion Pantry® convenience mart

•

Complimentary 24-hour business center

•

Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access

throughout hotel

• On-site catering

• Located adjacent to several great restaurants

• 1,200 sq. ft. of divisible meeting and banquet space to

accommodate up to 100 guests.