Hutto is a city in Williamson County, part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area in Texas with a population of around 14,000. The town is located just east of Round Rock and 22 miles northeast of Austin, making it a must-stop destination for Texas visitors. Along with our residents, tourists get to witness a big-city experience with a small-town quality life, while they pass through the memorable city of Hutto.
The city of Hutto was established in 1876 when the International and Great Northern Railroad was built a few miles north of Shiloh, a small farming community. While making the International and Great Northern Railroad, the railroad company also bought five acres of land for a designated station; this later became Hutto. Hutto was named after James Emory Hutto who was born in Alabama in1824. He voyaged to Texas in 1847 and served in the Confederate Army for three years. A post office was named after him in 1877. In 1885, he and his family moved to Waco, where he grew a successful hardware business. His sons continued his legacy by becoming successful in the cattle and cotton industries. The city of Hutto is also known for our "Hutto Hippo." The legend has it that in 1915, a circus train stopped in Hutto to take on water and care for their animals. While at the stop, a hippopotamus escaped the train and headed towards Cottonwood Creek. Consequently, the train depot agent sent a telegraph to local communities, alerting them that there was a hippo on the loose in Hutto.
Hutto is also well-known for our churches as they are a large part of our community life. Most of Hutto's early settlers were churchgoing families from Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. These immigrants prioritized the building of churches in Hutto. For example, the Hutto Baptist Church congregation started to hold services in 1882 and has served residents ever since. The United Methodist Church was formed when two congregations created by the Swedish Methodists decided to merge. The Hutto Baptist and the United Methodist churches have Texas Historical Markers, and the Hutto Evangelical Lutheran Church can be traced back as early as 1890. Because of the attendees were mostly of Swedish descent, the church services were conducted in Swedish until 1940. Additionally, the church operated a large cemetery that was built in 1897.
As we are rich in history, Hutto takes pride in our downtown area, which highlights our past and celebrates our heritage. For example, visitors will see the renovated cotton gin that serves as an event venue in addition to hosting our weekly farmers market. The Gin is also the temporary home of a limestone sculpture of a stylized cotton gin, which represents the city's farming history. Hutto's Commercial Historic District has twelve buildings, which take up approximately half of a city block. Most of these buildings are made from brick with commercial storefronts that exemplify the Late Victorian Italianate style present in the 1890s and the early 20th-century commercial style.
Hutto is strong in education, serving our residents with both private and public education options. We have an award-winning independent school district, serving more than 7,500 students at nine different campuses across town. Our public education includes Hutto High School, Hutto Middle School, Farley Middle School, Cottonwood Creek Elementary, Hutto Elementary, Nadine Johnson Elementary, Ray Elementary, Legacy Early College High School, Veterans Hill Elementary and Norman Elementary.
Home to the only hippo mascot in the United States, Hutto High School has an exceptional Career and Technical Education program with many certifications, including culinary arts, veterinarian, health sciences, business programs. Hutto is recognized for our FCCLA program as well as our art, music, band and athletic programs. This is also the only district in the area that offers a full-day Head Start Program for young children. Hutto believes that learning starts at a young age but should be a lifetime experience. The Eastern Williamson County Higher Education Center, which is a partnership between Temple Junior College, Texas State Technical College and Texas AM University-Central Texas, is also located in Hutto.
If you are looking for a city that embodies the spirit of history but also embraces modern day life, Hutto is an excellent place for you to live or visit. We also offer a wide range of residential living choices for those who are thinking about making Hutto their home. In addition, Hutto has a great range of businesses to help you manage your various needs from painting your front porch to maintaining your backyard. For example, if you are looking for exceptional lawn care, you will find the top quality, affordable, services with Lawn Love.