Buffalo Gap

History

Buffalo Gap's roots trace back to the early 1870s, when Buffalo Soldiers arrived to hunt the bison herds migrating from Montana into Texas. The natural gap in the Callahan Divide provided an ideal passage for these herds, giving the town its name and early identity. According to some sources, Buffalo Gap was founded in 1875—a date proudly displayed on the City Hall reader board. By 1877, the town had grown enough to establish its own post office, with the population reaching 400 by the following year. The town's significance was further recognized when Governor Richard Hubbard declared Buffalo Gap the official county seat of Taylor County on July 3, 1878. As Buffalo Gap developed, new businesses and institutions emerged, including the construction of a courthouse, hotel, blacksmith shop, general store, newspaper, saloons, stables, and banks. In 1885, Buffalo Gap College opened, marking the town as a thriving center of education and commerce. However, in 1881, the arrival of the Texas & Pacific railway brought a significant shift. The railroad bypassed Buffalo Gap in favor of the flatter terrain in Abilene, leading to a change in growth and prosperity. While Abilene rapidly expanded, Buffalo Gap's growth slowed. Despite this, the town's residents remained deeply connected to their community. In the 1920s, the Old Settlers Picnic was established, becoming a cherished tradition that is still celebrated today at the Old Settlers Grounds—a site used for community events and the town's monthly flea market. In 1956, local resident Ernie Wilson purchased the original Taylor County Courthouse and founded the Museum of the Old West, now known as the Buffalo Gap Historic Village. This historical gem preserves the legacy of Buffalo Gap, offering visitors a glimpse into the…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.3 km2), all land.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  2,366
• Northern Mockingbird

  Mimus polyglottos (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  2,087
• White-winged Dove

  Zenaida asiatica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  2,078
• Great-tailed Grackle

  Quiscalus mexicanus (Gmelin, 1788) · Aves
  1,993
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,942
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,661
• House Sparrow

  Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,389
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  1,372

Most recent

• M 2.7 — 2026-06-06
  16 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas
• M 2.8 — 2026-06-06
  16 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas
• M 2.6 — 2026-04-04
  17 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas
• M 2.6 — 2026-03-16
  11 km SW of Rotan, Texas
• M 2.9 — 2026-03-14
  10 km SW of Rotan, Texas
• M 3.3 — 2025-12-02
  17 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas