County History

Hood County Was Named for a Confederate General Who Never Visited

Hood County was formed in 1866 and named for Confederate General John Bell Hood, though he has no known connection to the land itself.

Hood County History & Culture

Texas lawmakers created Hood County in November 1866. They named it after Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood of the Confederate Army, who commanded the Texas Brigade during the Civil War. There is no record that Hood ever visited the area that bears his name.

Granbury, the county seat, was itself named for another Confederate general, Hiram Bronson Granbury. Before Anglo settlement, the region was home to Comanche and Lipan Apache peoples. Settlers arrived in the decade before the Civil War, mainly as stock raisers and farmers. Indian raids in the area continued through 1872. The Brazos and Paluxy rivers shaped early settlement patterns. The county grew slowly until the 1970s, when growth from the DFW area picked up.

Source to confirm: Texas State Historical Association — Hood County

More Hood County notes

Property Tax Savings

Homestead Exemption Cuts Your Property Tax Bill

If you own and live in your Hood County home, a homestead exemption can lower the value used to calculate your school tax bill by $100,000.

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Property Tax Protest

You Can Protest Your Appraisal Value Each Year

Hood County property owners who think their appraisal is too high can formally protest, and the deadline is usually May 15 or 30 days after the notice arrives.

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Agricultural Valuation

Ag Valuation Can Sharply Lower Taxes on Rural Land

Land used for farming, ranching, or timber can be taxed on its agricultural income value rather than its market value, which is often much lower.

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Building Rules

No County Building Permit Required in Most of Hood County

In unincorporated Hood County — outside city limits — you do not need a county building permit to build a home, but you still need septic, road access, and well permits.

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