Mention Hutto, Texas, and the response is usually, “Oh, the Hutto Hippos!” Hutto is famous for its high school mascot, the hippo. In fact, every school in the Hutto Independent School District shares this mascot, and the district’s website is aptly named www.hipponation.org. The community of Hutto has wholeheartedly embraced this unique identity, celebrating the hippo with pride and enthusiasm.
History of Hutto, Texas
Hutto was established in 1876 when the International-Great Northern Railroad crossed land owned by James Emory Hutto. Born in Alabama in 1824, James moved to Texas in 1847, eventually settling in Williamson County in 1855. The town’s first resident was Adam Orgain, a freed slave.
James Hutto sold 50 acres to the Texas Land Company, which led to the townsite and railroad. He became a wealthy cattleman but left for Waco in 1885 to start a hardware business. Early settlers included families like the Carpenters, Evans, Davis, Goodwin, Johnson, Saul, Payne, Womack, Weight, and Magles. In the 1890s, many Swedish and German immigrants arrived, contributing to the community’s growth.
The Legend of the Hutto Hippo
It all began in 1915 when a circus train stopped at the Hutto depot. The circus workers tended to their animals, and during this stop, a hippo escaped and headed to Cottonwood Creek near the tracks. The local farmers and merchants watched in amusement as circus workers tried to retrieve the hippo from the creek’s muddy waters.
The depot agent, Hal Farley Jr., sent out a telegraph to neighboring towns, stating, “STOP TRAINS, HIPPO LOOSE IN HUTTO.” After much effort, the hippo was finally coaxed out of the creek and reloaded onto the train. This event left such an impression that Hutto adopted the hippo as its school mascot, with the earliest known use on graduation announcements in 1923. Hutto remains the only community in the United States with a hippo as its mascot.
The story gained validation from an article in the October 20, 1979, issue of the Corsicana Daily Sun. Local hippo enthusiast Mahlon Arnett did extensive research to support the legend. Daniel Brett of Hutto also found that several circuses, including Sells-Floto and Yankee-Robinson, had routes through the area around 1915, supporting the possibility of the hippo escape story. The legend has been passed down through generations of Hutto residents, keeping the story alive and well-loved in the community.
The Hippo as A Beloved Community Mascot
In Hutto, the hippo isn’t just the school mascot—it’s a community icon. Every school in the Hutto Independent School District proudly features the hippo, from Hutto High School to the elementary and middle schools.
Around town, you’ll see hippo statues and images everywhere. Local businesses and events love incorporating the hippo into their branding, creating a strong sense of unity. Henrietta the Hippo, a giant concrete statue in downtown Hutto, is a favorite photo spot and a symbol of the town’s unique identity and community spirit.
Let’s talk about the legends that explain the origin of why the hippo became the mascot of the community:
The Escaped Circus Hippo
The most popular story started in 1915 when a circus train stopped at the Hutto depot. During the stop, a hippo escaped and went to Cottonwood Creek. The depot agent, Hal Farley Jr., sent a telegraph to neighboring towns: “STOP TRAINS, HIPPO LOOSE IN HUTTO.” After much effort, the hippo was recaptured and reloaded onto the train. This memorable event led to Hutto adopting the hippo as its school mascot, appearing on graduation announcements as early as 1923.
The Big Boys of Hutto
Another story is that when Hutto’s large Swedish and German football players took the field, an opposing coach exclaimed, “We can’t beat those boys; they’re big as hippos!” This comment stuck, contributing to the mascot’s origins.
Feed Sack Football Uniforms
In Hutto’s early football days, players wore feed sacks as uniforms. An opposing coach remarked that they looked like a bunch of hippos, especially when playing in the mud. Proper uniforms weren’t secured until 1925, adding to the charm of this theory.
Hutto’s Hippodrome
Hutto once had an outdoor theater called the Hippodrome, which might have influenced the mascot’s name. The famous Waco Hippodrome Theater, a significant cultural venue in Central Texas, could also have inspired the mascot.
Hippo Size Soda Water
Another hypothesis is that the mascot was named after “Hippo Size Soda Water,” a popular 16-ounce drink from the San Antonio Bottling Company, patented in 1926. This soda was well-known in Central and South Texas.
The Jim Holman Story
Evelyn Belle “Effie” Carrington Jacobsen included in her obituary that fellow student Jim Holman proposed the hippo as the school mascot in 1927. This story, widely believed, may have formalized the mascot’s adoption, possibly inspired by the circus hippo escape.
Henrietta the Hippo
In 1992, the Hutto Chamber of Commerce brought Henrietta the Hippo, a 14,000-pound concrete statue, to downtown Hutto. Henrietta has become a popular photo spot, symbolizing the town’s pride in its unique mascot.
These theories all contribute to the rich history of Hutto’s beloved hippo mascot, making it a unique and cherished symbol of the community.
Conclusion
The hippo mascot is a unique and beloved symbol of Hutto, Texas. From its intriguing origin stories to its widespread presence in schools and the community, the hippo represents Hutto’s history, pride, and unity. The hippo isn’t just a mascot; it’s a cherished part of the town’s identity, celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Whether it’s through the charming statue of Henrietta or the spirited hippo pride in schools, the hippo continues to be a defining feature of Hutto’s community spirit.
