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Buda, a city located on Interstate Highway 35 in northeastern Hays County, Texas, is a place that seamlessly blends the past, present, and future. The city was formally established in 1881, when Cornelia Trimble donated land for a town site at an International-Great Northern Railroad depot there. Phillip J. Allen had settled the area, originally part of the Mexican land grant to Stephen B. von Eggleston, as early as 1846. The first community center in this part of the county, Mountain City, developed before the Civil War, but it was rapidly depopulated as its residents and businesses flocked to the new rail depot, which took the name of Du Pre.
Folklore has it that the name originated in 1880, when, as the railroad pushed into Hays County, the postmaster at Mountain City approached a railroad official and requested, “Do, pray, give us a depot.” In 1887, at the request of the post office department, the name was changed to Buda. The common explanation for the new name is that it derives from Spanish "viuda," or widow. The town had gained a reputation as a popular eating stop for rail travelers, and the name may refer to a pair of widows who cooked at the Carrington Hotel in the 1880s.
In its early days, the provisions of supplies and services to surrounding dairy farms and ranches were the basis of the local economy, and at different times the community supported mills, hotels, banks, a lumberyard, two newspapers, a cheese factory, a movie theatre, and a skating rink. In 1928, local businesses organized a Chamber of Commerce. Buda remained an active commercial center and railroad depot until the Great Depression. In 1929, its population was estimated at 600, but by 1933, it fell to 300.
However, by the mid-1980s, Buda's population began to grow once again, and it became an attractive location for new industries. The city is now home to a cement plant and some craft industry, while still primarily rural and residential. The city's population has grown significantly from 2010 to 2019, increasing by 133% to 16,906, as new one- and two-story, single-family homes have popped up throughout the city.
Buda also boasts several unique attractions, such as the annual Wiener Dog Race that attracts about 400 furry competitors, earning the city the title of Wiener Dog Capital of Texas. In 2005, Buda was designated the Outdoor Capital of Texas, honoring its legacy as an area where Native Americans once hunted bears, buffalo, deer, and wild turkeys. The area also offers hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, hiking, and recreational opportunities. Historic Stagecoach Park, which includes an amphitheater and a pond, is a 54-acre outdoor gem that locals and visitors alike can enjoy. Buda also has a six-block downtown historic district that regularly hosts events highlighting food, drinks, and music. One of the district's highlights is the Old Town Buda Antique Mall.
From its rich history to its thriving present, Buda is a city that truly has it all. It's a testament to the tenacity and ingenuity of the people who built it and continue to shape its future.