Hubbard, Texas is located at the crossroads of State Highways 31 and 171, twenty-three miles northeast of Waco, in southern Hill County. The city is nearly equidistant from Waco and Corsicana on highway 31, and Hillsboro and Mexia on highway 171. The city was formally organized when the St. Louis and Southwestern (Cotton Belt) railroad established a depot in 1881.

The city is named in honor of Texas Governor Richard B. Hubbard. In 1895, while drilling for a water supply, drilling crews discovered hot mineral water, which led to the building of a health resort. Travelers from all over came to the sanatorium in Hubbard believing that the mineral water held therapeutic qualities. This also attracted physicians to move to Hubbard, many of whom built the wonderful Victorian homes seen today.

The city still maintains one active hot mineral well and uses the water for various public works maintenance projects. There are many restored Victorian homes located throughout the city. Most of these homes have been painstakingly restored, and there are others currently in restoration. In addition, Historic Hubbard High School was built in 1914 and has been restored and houses the public library, museum, and several meeting rooms. In 2004, the City with assistance from a Smith Foundation Grant established the Hubbard City Justice Center, Senior Citizen’s Center and Wheatley Recreation Center located at 501 S.W. Davis. Well-known persons who have resided in Hubbard include Baptist minister J. Frank Norris, Baseball Hall of Fame member Tris E. Speaker, Federal Judge Sam Johnson, and Pittsburg Steeler’s Super Bowl winner Ron Shanklin.