HUTTO, TEXAS
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Welcome to Hutto, TX - -Home of the Hippos!
In 1876, the town of Hutto was established when the International and Great Northern Railroad was built three miles north of Shiloh.
A small farming community, Shiloh was near the crossroads of FM 135 and FM 139 on the north side of Brushy Creek. The McCutcheon-Shiloh Cemetery is all that remains of the once-thriving town. While constructing the International and Great Northern Railroad, the railroad company also purchased five acres of land for a designated station stop. This created the town of Hutto, which was named after James Emory Hutto, who was born June 8, 1824, in Alabama.
Today, the community is one of the fastest growing in the state. Hutto has experienced an estimated over 50 percent (50%) increase in total population change since 2010 growing from 14,698 to over 30,000.
So why are there so many hippos around town?
Hutto is the only community in the United States to use the hippo as its mascot. There are several stories that explain how the hippopotamus became Hutto’s official mascot. The most popular tells of a circus train that stopped at the depot in 1915, most likely to take on passengers, pick up mail and water and feed the animals. During this historic stop, it is said that a hippo escaped and made its way to nearby Cottonwood Creek. Farmers and merchants watched in amusement as unsuccessful efforts were made to extricate the troublesome hippo from the muddy waters. Soon after the incident, the Hutto School adopted the hippo as its mascot.
In 2003, the Texas Legislature recognized Hutto as the “Official Hippo Capital of Texas.” The Hutto Chamber of Commerce arranged for a seven-ton concrete hippo named “Henrietta” to be placed along East Street in 1986. The fast-growing city of Hutto is also home to a herd of smaller concrete hippos which stand outside homes, businesses and public buildings as a symbol of community pride. Many are painted to reflect the unique character of the owner or business it represents.
The official flower of the City of Hutto is the Orange Crush Daylily. The Keep Hutto Beautiful Commission designated this as the official flower after community-wide surveys and polls. What makes the Orange Crush such a wonderful choice for this auspicious title? Is it the magnificent bright orange color that symbolizes the spirit of Hutto? Maybe the hardiness and adaptability of this flower to grow in a variety of soils and thrive in different environments that represent the strength of our citizens and our community. It could also be the wide welcoming petals that embody the open arms we have for each other, eager to lend a helping hand to those in need.
The City of Hutto was awarded Gold Standing within the Scenic City Program in October 2016. The program is a five year certification.
The mission of the Scenic City Certification Program is to support and recognize Texas municipalities that implement high-quality scenic standards for public roadways and public spaces. The Scenic City Certification Program provides a proven, highly-regarded tool to Texas cities for assessment, evaluation and recognition of infrastructure standards. https://sceniccitycertification.org/
The City of Hutto has earned the designation of Tree City USA. Hutto was named a 2019 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to urban forest management.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
Hutto achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program's four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Tree City USA® Program provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities. The many benefits of being a Tree City include creating framework for action, education, a positive public image, and citizen pride.
City Flower - Orange Crush Daylily
Scenic City Gold Standing
Tree City USA
City Accolades
RESOURCES
The City of Hutto is a home-rule municipality operating under a Council-Manager form of government in Central Texas. More than 25,000 people call the growing community home, making Hutto one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. People choose Hutto for the ability to have all that a small town life can offer while being 25 minutes from the Texas state Capitol.
Growing from a small local Chamber in 1986 to one with over 330 members (with 2,837 employees) from the four corners and beyond, our membership represents businesses throughout the area. The quality of our networking events, informative luncheons, business seminars and special events are all designed to help increase your success in business.
The City offers weekly curbside recycling as a service for its citizens through the solid waste provider, Al Clawson Disposal, Inc. Recycling containers are provided to each resident by Clawson.
The Mission of Hutto ISD is to inspire our students to be bold, innovative thinkers who demonstrate character and are academically prepared for an unlimited future through engaged learning and exceptional activities that involve all members of the Hippo Nation.
Stroll through Old Town, the original boundaries for the City of Hutto. Many historic homes have been restored and are excellent examples of the small Swedish farming community that established the town in 1911. Old Town also has a great collection of unique restaurants and shops within the Hutto Commercial Historic District. Everything is close by and easily accessed on foot or by car.
Hutto Parks and Recreation has 4 community parks available to the public and 1 new park property being planned.