A train roaring through a tiny Texas town shies in comparison to the commotion the people of Crawford have witnessed in the last eight years.
Since the President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush purchased a ranch located just outside the town, known as the Western White House, the quiet town became a political hot spot.
Most famously, American anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan was known for bringing big crowds, including people of all political backgrounds, to demonstrate near the ranch and in the town.
"When he came there were a lot of gift shops that opened up, a lot more business came, a lot more people came to town, a lot more traffic," Crawford resident Marilyn Judy said.
But soon, Bush will leave the Oval Office and so might the business and traffic.
"I'm sure, as he's no longer in office, then we'll have less of that. Some of the gift shops are closing down now due to lack of business," Judy said.
Not every souvenir shop in Crawford will close its doors for good, though.
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The Ranch
News 8's Bonnie Gonzalez tells us how the town of only 789 has changed since a U.S. President moved in.
 
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Jamie Burgess, manager at the Red Bull gift shop said she has a plan to stay in business.
"I will continue to have the souvenirs, but I will diversify in other ways to make it more accessible to locals," she said. "You know the mom and pop shops need to still try to stay alive."
Valerie Citrano who sells souvenirs out of her husband's cafe in nearby McGregor, said she'll continue with her business.
"As long as we have this restaurant, we'll continue," she said.
With or without the business, the memories will live on for generations to come in the small town.
"We've met a whole lot of absolute wonderful friends, people I would have never thought I'd meet, like Vladimir Putin from Russia, John Howard from Australia," she said.
Although President Bush and the first lady will be living in Dallas, locals said they've heard he's not selling the ranch.
"When I was a child, Crawford didn't even make a Texas map, and then we got a spot on there, with no roads leading to us, and now we have roads, with all roads leading to Crawford," Burgess said.
If it turns out the Bush family keeps the ranch, local residents hope they'll see him more often.
"Maybe on a day-to-day basis, who knows, he might really like the arguments with the coffee drinkers in the morning," Citrano said. "Sometimes it gets quite spirited and I can just see him over there at the table."
President Bush is currently spending some time on his ranch, with only 27 days left until the inauguration of President-elect Barrack Obama.
