As it went dark, view of total eclipse from tiny Texas town impresses global tourists
When totality hit Hillsboro, Stephen Jolly could hear the birds singing in a nearby tree.
They must think it is nightfall, he said. The sky went almost dark in what Jolly describes as a “very deep sunset.” The lights in the stores around the downtown of this tiny Texas town lit up, piercing through a darkness that was eerie as it was awesome.
“We could see the moon and the sky surrounded by a ring of light,” he said said. “It was very beautiful.”
Jolly was just one of thousands who picked this Hill County hamlet, an hour drive south of Fort Worth, to experience a total solar eclipse the likes of which North America won’t see for another generation.
Hillsboro had been touted as one of the best places to see the eclipse given its spot on the path of totality. For 4 minutes and 23 seconds, at exactly 38 minutes past 1 p.m., Hillsboro etched its place in earhtly celestial history.
The town’s population — just over 8,500 — nearly doubled as star tourists flocked to Hillsboro with its handsome courthouse and enviable location. A board with a world map encouraged folks to place a thumbtack where they’re from. Brazil, South Africa, Japan and Australia were all represented.
Early worries of a gridlock never materialized as vehicles moved freely down North Waco Street and the sun poked through gray skies by early afternoon. Clouds cleared up enough to give the throngs who made it to town a terrific show.
Droves of astronomy adherents huddled together in the grassy space by the historic Hill County Courthouse as totality neared. When the moon finally flitted across the face of the sun, jubilant cheers rang out.
“Oh my God,” a few yelled.
While others, sharing a different tack, called out, “Here come the aliens.”
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Cloudy weather nearly ruined Hillsboro’s day in the dark
In the days leading up to the eclipse, the National Weather Service was tracking cloudy skies for Central and North Texas.
When the Star-Telegram began its journey south to Hillsboro early Monday morning, dark clouds could be seen above the town. But as the morning wore on, sunlight finally broke through the pall as if rewarding this town for having planned its party for past year and a half.
By noon, the sky was clearer but far speckless.
As the moment of totality neared, the thermometer read 70 degrees, much to the delight of Florida man John Freemont.
He’d driven over 1,200 miles from Bonita Springs, Florida, to Hillsboro. He was in Kentucky for the “spectacular” 2017 total solar eclipse, he said, and he wasn’t missing this one.
After doing his research on the best cities along the path of totality, Freemont said he zeroed in on Hillsboro. His wife’s family lives in Fort Worth, so a Texas trip fit nicely into their plans.
“Hope we can see it,” Freemont said, before the heavens opened up.
PHILADELPHIA FAMILY IN HILLSBORO FOR ‘A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY’
Joshua Lennon, of Philadelphia, still remembers watching the 2017 total solar eclipse with his then 3-year-old son.
While he enjoyed the experience, he wasn’t quite sure if his son understood the special occasion. Now a few years older, Lennon said his son was eager to see the eclipse and share the out-of-this-world feeling with him that he felt back in 2017.
“It was really amazing,” Lennon said.
Like many visiting Hillsboro for the eclipse, Lennon researched the best locations on the path of totality. He was joined in Hillsboro by his wife, Erica Wolbramsky, and parents — Dave and Sherry Lennon.
The older Lennons live in Tennessee, and enjoy traveling full time in their recreational vehicle. They’ve booked a spot at an RV park in nearby Whitney and plan to stay in the area throughout the week.
For the whole family, their Hillsboro visit is a time to rest and enjoy the festivities.
“This is a little piece of history,” Wolbramsky said.
ECLIPSE TRAVELER TRIES OUT HOMEMADE FILTERS
Vahid Sattary, of San Francisco, made a homemade solar filter for his camera to take snapshots of the solar eclipse.
Capturing solar eclipses is a hobby for Sattary, who has snapped photos of past celestial events in Oregon and Chile. Eclipses don’t happen every day and, Sattary said, the pursuit is what keeps him interested.
He and his daughter originally planned on staying in Austin for the eclipse, but moved on quickly to Hillsboro after hearing that weather conditions would be better up north. Beyond capturing a rare event, Sattary said the people he meets are another benefit of his hobby.
While speaking with the Star-Telegram, a couple from Seattle noticed Sattary’s homemade eclipse glasses and tried them on, even gifting him a pair of their own for him to try.
“The community draws me,” Sattary said. “Thankful for the hospitality in Hillsboro.”
The sun sets on Hillsboro’s eclipse day
As darkness faded into the midday light, folks began packing up to head home.
Many of the out-of-town folks said they plan to stay around Texas for the next few days to enjoy the scenery. While others saw the eclipse, took their photo, and went on their way.
The Jollys — Stephen and Claire, from Manchester, England — have been through the disappointment of a total solar eclipse marred by pesky clouds back in 1999. This time around, their hearts are full with ample memories to take home with them.
“It pretty suddenly got light again and now it’s sunny,” Claire Jolly said.
