Origins of City Names in Texas (El Paso, Longview: how much, hotel, rail)

[RGV]

I think the thread on Texas city names is cool; so I thought I'd start a thread on the origins on these names. I picked Buda to start off with since I think the "legend" of the origin of its name is very interesting. I always wondered why they said "Biuda" rather than "Buda." When I heard this story (see below) it explained a lot as "viuda" in Spanish is pronounced exactly as the Americans pronounce "Buda" the town.


Buda:


Quote:
The Common explanation for the new name is that it derives from Spanish viuda, or widow. The town had gained a reputation as a popular eating stop for rail travelers, and the name may refer to a pair of widows who cooked at the Carrington Hotel in the 1880s.

http://www.ci.buda.tx.us/history.html

[carolmcb]

Weslaco - the name is derived from the W. E. Stewart Land Company.

I remember many years ago there was a telethon on TV and some Hollywood star had come to the valley to host the telethon. He was the one that I first heard the story from about the origin of the name Weslaco. I want to say it was Michael Landon from Bonanza but that sounds strange as to why he would be in the Valley hosting a telethon.

I have provided a link that discusses in detail the origin of Weslaco. It is very interesting and, as usual in the Valley, involves Spanish Land Grants and soldiers, etc.

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...s/WW/hew4.html

[RGV]

That's was cool Carol. I had heard it had something to do with a land company. Thanks for the specifics.

[RGV]

Eagle Pass:

Pecan, cypress, oak, and mulberry trees along the banks of the Escondido provided a nesting area for eagles, and flights of eagles to and from this site account for the origin of its name

Here's a link to a very interesting history.


http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/.../PP/rkp21.html

[carolmcb]

This one has always been one of my favorites.

Edcouch – named after Mr. Ed (Edward) Couch. Rather than just using his last name, they ran his first name and surname together.

Mr. Edward Couch was a local landowner and banker. Apparently, Mr. Couch was also involved in the development of Weslaco.

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...s/EE/hge3.html

When I was growing up, we always said Edcouch/Elsa as if they were the same town. I don't know how much the citizens of Elsa appreciated that.

Elsa - It was named for Elsa George the wife of a local landowner.

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...s/EE/hfe2.html

[car957]

Flatonia has a great chili festival every year and was named after the first immigrant who established the community:

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...s/FF/hjf4.html

Marfa is one my favorite places to visit was based on the name of a person in a novel:

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...s/MM/hjm4.html

Also, I love the online Texas Handbook. Its a very well prepared and educational website.

[pirate_lafitte]

El Paso. Spanish for "the pass'. Refers to its location between the mountains as in a mountain pass.

[ripley]

Longview, named for the view from atop the one small hill near downtown. This massive mountain is now the location of a water tower.

[carolmcb]

Originally Posted by car957

Flatonia has a great chili festival every year and was named after the first immigrant who established the community:

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...s/FF/hjf4.html

Marfa is one my favorite places to visit was based on the name of a person in a novel:

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...s/MM/hjm4.html

Also, I love the online Texas Handbook. Its a very well prepared and educational website.

I love the name Flatonia. And the history of Marfa is quite interesting and involved. The online Texas Handbook is one of the best reference materials that I use for any Texas research. I found it by accident one day when I was trying to write a brief article about one of my favorite people, Sam Perl.

[case44]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

El Paso. Spanish for "the pass'. Refers to its location between the mountains as in a mountain pass.

I'll go one better. It came from El Paso del Norte, when the first settlers were there in 1598.