The town of Hutto is known as the hippo capital of Texas.
There are thought to be anywhere between 5,000 to 10,000 hippo statues throughout the town. They can be found at local businesses as well as residential locations.
Of course the high school mascot is a hippo.
There are a few different theories on how the hippo madness started.
Some believe it was in 1915 when a circus train stopped in Hutto and a hippo escaped. It's said that the escaped hippo was eventually found and the circus went on with their travels.
This is the more popular legend.
Another theory comes from those thinking that rather large farm boys of German and Swedish descent playing football with smaller boys couldn't be beat because they were as large as hippos.
There's another theory that the football team in the 20s didn't have uniforms and had to wear feed sacks as uniforms. The coach of the team they were playing stated they looked like hippos in the sacks.
Whatever the truth is, matters not because the hippos are there and it's fun!
This is truly Roadside Americana at its finest.
Henrietta Hippo seems to be the most popular. She sits on East Street.
There are different themed hippos throughout the area:
Farmer hippo
Hank, Hope, and Haunches hippos (at Chamber of Commerce)
Dalmatian hippo
Different businesses have themed hippos as well. They can be seen at dental offices with toothbrushes, there's an army themed hippo, a hippo made with exhaust pipes, and countless others.
Otto the hippo is dressed ready for Oktoberfest year-long.
You name it, there's a themed hippo somewhere in Hutto.
If you're like me and you love seeing unique and fun things, Hutto is a true destination for this.
Again, the epitome of Roadside Americana!
PS:
Fun fact-when my boyfriend played football in high school, his team often played the Hutto Hippos. read more