Hill County vs. Zavala County
Willie’s Place & Spinach Capital
The week concludes with a contrast between a music legend’s hometown and the spinach center of the world. Hill County, home to Hillsboro and Willie Nelson’s Abbott, is a land of blackland prairie and interstate crossroads. Zavala County, in the Winter Garden, is famous for Crystal City and its Popeye statue. One is defined by music and Kolaches; the other by vegetables and political history.
Hill County (Population Approx. 36,000)
Hill County is a traveler’s landmark. Hillsboro’s courthouse is iconic (rebuilt after a fire with Willie Nelson’s help), and the Czech heritage in West produces famous kolaches. The economy is driven by agriculture, retail (the outlets), and tourism. The vibe is friendly, historic, and musically significant. Challenges include managing I-35 expansion and maintaining rural roads.
Zavala County (Population Approx. 9,600)
Zavala County is the "Spinach Capital of the World." Crystal City celebrates this leafy green with a massive festival and a statue of Popeye. The county was also the birthplace of the Raza Unida Party, a pivotal movement in Chicano civil rights. The economy relies on agriculture and oil. Residents are proud of their political activism and agricultural roots. Challenges include water rights and economic diversification.
Why It Matters
Hill County preserves a key part of Texas music and Czech culture. Zavala County is a site of significant political history and food production. Both counties demonstrate the cultural richness of rural Texas.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the musician in Abbott and the activist in Crystal City both shaped our state.
In Hill County, the crossroads location brings diverse people. Open Primaries would allow the community to elect leaders who focus on economic development and infrastructure, rather than partisan loyalty. Ranked Choice Voting would help the diverse towns of the county work together.
In Zavala County, the political history is deep. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the community to support candidates who prioritize local needs: like water for spinach farming and healthcare; ensuring that the Winter Garden continues to have a strong voice.
Did You Know…
Abbott (Hill) is the hometown of Willie Nelson, who bought back the town's opera house to save it.
Crystal City (Zavala) is the "Spinach Capital of the World" and features a statue of Popeye in front of City Hall.
The Hill County Courthouse in Hillsboro was famously restored after a 1993 fire, with a concert by Willie Nelson raising funds.
Zavala County was the birthplace of the Raza Unida Party in the 1970s.
Lake Whitney in Hill County is a major recreational draw, known as the "Getaway Capital of Texas."
Why Texans Love Living Here
Hill residents love the Czech bakeries, the music history, and the beautiful courthouse square. Zavala locals love the Spinach Festival, the pride of their civil rights history, and the fertile land of the Winter Garden.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Spinach Festival (Crystal City/Zavala): A massive celebration of the crop with a parade and cook-off.
Bond's Alley Art Festival (Hillsboro/Hill): Celebrating local artists in the historic alley.
Westfest (West/Hill - nearby): Celebrating Czech heritage with polka and kolaches.
Zavala County Fair: A community gathering for families.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
