Buda, Texas: Small Town USA

No; That's Pronounced "b-yoo-da!"

On the way south out of Austin, Texas there is this small town by the name of Buda. Established in 1881, originally a rail-road town, Buda was founded virtually overnight and has continued to expand over the years. Specifically within the last 5 years one of the main land owners in town sold many acres to Cabelas for several millions of dollars, thus paving the way for further town development, literally and figuratively. As part of the contract with the town, Cabelas provided a new water tower and greater commerce. The door was opened and expansion lept-forward. Since this deal Wal-Mart has added a store and a whole series of restaurant chains have joined the fray.

The addition of these big businesses has caused the small town to become of great interest to those moving to Austin trying to avoid Austin housing prices. Apartments and housing developments are going up at an amazing rate, thus leading to even greater interest from more big businesses. Buda seems to be the text-book example of how a town can grow and expand.

Regarding the name “Buda,” there have been many conflicting “suggestions” as to the origin. The prevailing opinion is that “Buda” is an English mutation of the Spanish word for widow: viuda. In the early town history along the railroad at the local inn were two widows that maintained the bed-and-breakfast, greeting newcomers to the town.