Our Town Snyder: Buffalo Symbolizes economic growth

SNYDER, Texas (KJTV) - Even though Snyder’s mascot is the “Tigers,” there has long been a giant buffalo statue outside the Scurry County Courthouse in the city square. This history goes back nearly a century and a half. In 1978, a trading post on Deep Creek was built. That area was named “Snyder” after merchant and buffalo hunter Pete Snyder. The aforementioned statue pays tribute to the town’s beginning as a buffalo trading post.

Linda Molina, who serves as president to the Snyder Chamber of Commerce, is well-versed on the town’s history.

“Back in 1876, October 7, James Moore killed the white buffalo. The story is pretty long, but I do know that the granddaughter lived her also, and her son. And they still have the white buffalo to this day at one of their homes,” she said.

Snyder has come a long way since then, with major growth in 1948 when oil was discovered north of town. Today, it’s Bill Robertson’s goal to bring jobs to Snyder. Robertson is the president of the board with the Development Corporation of Snyder.

“We’re obliged to focus on attracting and bringing manufacturing industrial jobs the community, primary jobs- so, that’s the number one goal,” he said. “Previously, we were more centralized and more local and regional, but now through technology, and our use of it and taking advantage of it, we’re really putting Snyder on the map- from here to India and back.”

Merle Taylor, Snyder City Manager, says the central location is tremendous asset for the community.

“You can go any direction and find a large population with almost anything you want to do as far as entertainment or medical, education,” he said, and Robertson agrees.

“If you want everything that you need, and some of the things you want, it’s here- and for a fraction of the cost,” Robertson said.

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