Every town has its school mascot—bulldogs, mustangs, eagles. You’ve seen them a hundred times. But how many schools do you know that proudly call themselves the Hippos? There’s only one, and it’s right here in Texas.
Let’s take a fun trip to Hutto, a small town just east of Austin, where the local high school mascot stands out in a big way—and it all started with a hippo loose on the railroad tracks.
A Hippo on the Tracks: The True Story Behind the Mascot
The story dates back to 1915, when circuses still traveled by train, carrying wild animals in railcars from town to town. Just like the scenes in the Disney classic Dumbo, circus animals were moved in cages on the rails.
But on one eventful day in Hutto, Texas, a hippopotamus escaped from a circus train. The massive animal wandered away and eventually settled in Cottonwood Creek, where it relaxed in the mud for hours.
The delay was big. The train couldn’t leave without the hippo, and so rail traffic was halted all day. The story made the rounds in newspapers, and the hippo brought unexpected attention to the small Texas town.
When it came time to choose a school mascot in the 1920s, the decision was easy: The Hutto Hippos were born.
Another Story: The Hutto Offensive Line Was “As Big as Hippos”
There’s also a second version of the tale, shared by the Hutto Historical Commission. Back in the early 1900s, Hutto had many Swedish and German immigrant families, and as the story goes, the students were big, strong, and well-fed.
Visiting football coaches used to joke that Hutto’s offensive line was “as big as hippos.” Whether the nickname was flattering or not, it stuck—and it became part of Hutto’s unique identity.
The Hippos Are Still Charging Strong
No matter which version you believe, one thing is certain: Hutto High School is the only school in the United States with a hippo as a mascot. And they’ve fully embraced it.
Around town, you’ll find hippo statues, logos, murals, and merchandise. The hippo isn’t just a mascot—it’s a symbol of hometown pride.