Region: Prairies and Lakes
Established when the railroad reached the area in 1872, the town was named
for Cornelius Ennis, director of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. Today,
Ennis is a small city with diversified industry southeast of the DFW metroplex.
The area also is a major cotton producer. Ennis offers historical tours, antique
shopping, lakes, parks, a public theater and a drive-in theater.
Annual events include the National Polka Festival, which celebrates Ennis'
Czech heritage, held annually on Memorial Day weekend.
As one of the first "Rural Tourism Certified" tourist communities, Ennis has
preserved many buildings in its historic downtown area, some of which are 110
years old or older. Each April, the Ennis Garden Club sponsors the Bluebonnet
Trails, one of the oldest wildflower events in Texas, featuring 40 miles of
well-marked trails. The Texas Legislature named the city the "Official
Bluebonnet City of Texas" in 1997.