The first lots in Kyle sold around October 15, 1880. It inspired the city and its residents to start a tradition of holding parades through downtown in mid-October. That parade became known as the Founders Day Parade. This tradition recognizes this great town’s founders.
The City of Kyle is still holding the Founders Day Parade in 2020! They won’t let this unusual year stop them!
About the 2020 Founders Day Parade
This won’t be a typical Founders Day Parade. But then again nothing in 2020 has been typical. This year’s parade is going virtual and its theme is “Life in Kyle.”
The way it will work is that groups and organizations will submit a photo and a description. The photo and description will be placed in a video that will air on the City Live Feed and the City Facebook page. Watch the City of Kyle website for the link. This web page also has photos from past Founders Day Parades.
You can also check the City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page for updates.
A Little Kyle History
Settlers from nearby Blanco and Mountain City founded the town of Kyle in 1880. Sometime between 1870 and 1880, the International and Great Northern Railroad planned to build a line between Austin and San Antonio. The planners saw there were no towns on the route between Austin and San Marcus. They decided to establish a station on that route.
Captain Fergus Kyle and David Moore’s family donated 200 acres for this site. The Texas Land Company deeded the land to develop the town. Within a week, someone surveyed the town and filed it with the county clerk. Officially designated as Kyle, Texas, in honor of one of the people who donated the land.
The town held an auction in October of 1880 beneath Kyle’s famed Oak tree. This is where all the business and residential lots were auctioned off. To encourage more bids, the railroad offered free train rides to those who participated in the sale. The railroad donated the land surrounding this tree. And it became the home of Kyle’s first school, Kyle Seminary.
Want to explore more? Check out these Kyle historical markers.
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