Ennis Bluebonnet Trails receives THC Historical Marker at Spring Dedication April 3

ENNIS – The Texas Historical Commission has recognized the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails in Ellis County as a significant part of Texas history by awarding it an Official Texas Historical Marker.

The designation honors the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails as an important and educational part of local history.

A dedication ceremony to commemorate the event is planned for Thursday, April 3 at 10 a.m. 

The ceremony and reception will be held at the Ennis Welcome Center, 201 NW Main St., Ennis, Texas 75119.

A brief history of the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails will be presented recognizing it as one of the oldest mapped wildflower driving trails in the state.

The origin of the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails can be traced back to the 1930s when John Louie Clark first cleared a viewing path near Kachina Prairie to view the profusion of bluebonnets growing there each spring.

In 1952, the newly formed Ennis Garden Club sponsored the first annual Bluebonnet Trails under the guidance of co-chairs Edna May McMurray and Elizabeth Stout in mid-April drawing over 1,000 visitors to Ellis County in its first year.

The Ennis Community rallied around the Garden Club, and in 1957, the Ennis Bluebonnet Festival was born.  

The State Legislature later named the Ennis Trail as the official bluebonnet trail of Texas.

Ellis County Historical Commission invites the public to share in this exciting historical event and learn the history of this continuing tradition in east Ellis County. 

The state of Texas has the largest marker program in the United States with approximately 15,000 markers, and Ellis County is home to 130 historical markers. 

The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails marker can be viewed at the Ennis Welcome Center.

A subject qualifies for a marker based on two criteria – historical significance and age.

Historical significance is established by reviewing its role and importance in local history and the age requirement depends on the topic. 

The THC’s official Texas Marker policies are outlined in the Official Texas Historical Marker Procedures and can be accessed on the Ellis County Historical Commission website elliscountyhistoricalcommissiontx.weebly.com under Historical Markers.