Buda, Illinois
Buda is located in Bureau County, 15 miles southwest of Princeton along Illinois State Route 40 and the Burlington Northern-Sante Fe line from Chicago to LosAngeles. It's population is around 600, despite being considered as a "ghost town" of Illinois. Western High School was a result of a name change from Buda High School in 1956,when the Sheffield school district was consolidated into the BHS school district. The "Western" part of the name comes from being the westernmost school in Bureau County. Western High School lasted from 1956 to 1995. Western,Wyanet, Walnut, Manlius, andSheffield High Schools came together to form the Bureau Valley School District. The high school building inBuda is used now for BureauValley (South) Middle School.
Formerly named French Grove. Although there were early settlers of French extraction, there are no records of land purchases.
On the north side of Buda on Route 40 sits the expansive Bunker Hill Church, serving parishioners from southwest Bureau County and beyond. Bunker Hill is a shining example of what can be done with small town participation.