ETTA Conference FAM Tours 7 Cities in 2 Days!
A few highlights of the FAM Tour itinerary for Monday, March 29th
CLEBURNE POPULATION: The 2008 population estimate for Cleburne is 30,300. HISTORY: Cleburne is a city in Johnson County, Texas. Cleburne is named for a Confederate General, Patrick Cleburne. Lake Pat Cleburne, the reservoir that provides water to the city and surrounding area, is also named for him. It was formerly known as Camp Henderson, a temporary Civil War outpost from which Johnson County soldiers would depart for war (most of them would serve under General Cleburne). The city was formally incorporated in 1871. Cleburne was primarily an agricultural center and county seat until the Santa Fe Railroad opened a major facility there in 1898. During this time the population boomed, as it became a sizable city for the area with over 12,000 residents by 1920. Located 30 minutes south of Fort Worth and just west of I-35, Cleburne has something for everyone.
ATTRACTIONS: Cleburne City Museum, Layland Museum, Cleburne State Park, Plaza Theatre, Steam Engine 3417, Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum, Chisholm Trail Western Town, Whistle Stop Christmas in the Park.
WAXAHACHIE POPULATION: 21,426 HISTORY: Waxahachie, Texas, in Ellis County, is 26 miles S of Grand Prairie, Texas (center to center) and 28 miles S of Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1850, Waxahachie has been an important agricultural, commercial, educational, retail and transportation center in North Texas. Waxahachie grew rapidly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s, mostly due to the prosperous cotton industry. Because of the success of Waxahachie’s early cotton barons, Ellis County quickly became the nation’s largest cotton-producing county during the early 1900s. For over 150 years, visitors have enjoyed the culturally and historically rich attractions of Waxahachie that are interwoven with the history of Texas. The famed Shawnee Trail ran through the center of town, now known as the Historic Downtown District. Waxahachie has grown to be known as the Gingerbread City for the ornate woodwork found on many of the historic homes, as well as being designated the Crape Myrtle Capital of Texas. Waxahachie also claims the title of Movie Capital of Texas, with over thirty motion pictures and three Academy Award films (The Trip to Bountiful, Places in the Heart, and Tender Mercies), and is recognized as being Picture Perfect by the movie industry.
ATTRACTIONS: Ellis County Art Museum, Munster Mansion, Texas Theatre, Ellis County Courthouse, Chautauqua Auditorium, Ellis County Museum, Historic Rogers Street Bridge, Wyatt St. Shotgun House Historic District, and Scarborough Renaissance Festival.
ENNIS POPULATION: Population in July 2008: 19,506 HISTORY: In 1871, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad (H&TC) purchased 647 acres of land in Ellis County at a price of $5.00 per acre, establishing the line’s northern terminus. On June 8, 1872 this site was established as the City of Ennis. The namesake of the town was Cornelius Ennis, an early official of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. Ennis served as Mayor of Houston (1856-1857), was an incorporator and director of the Great Northern Railroad, and served as director of the H&TC Railroad. The railroad was the key to the development of Ennis as an agricultural, commercial, and later, an industrial center. In 1920, a total of 152,601 bales of cotton were ginned in Ellis County, the most in any county in America. By 1930, Ennis was known as the place “Where Railroads and Cotton Fields Meet.” For over 135 years, Ennis has successfully repositioned its strategic business focus from railroad, to agriculture, to modern industry and commerce. In 1997, Ennis was designated as the home of the “Official Bluebonnet Trail” and as the “Official Bluebonnet City of Texas”.
ATTRACTIONS: The Texas Motorplex, Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum, 85 Speedway, Historic District Antique and Craft Shops, The Annual National Polka Festival, Lake Bardwell, Czech Heritage, Galaxy Drive in Theatre, and Czech Museum. A few highlights of the FAM Tour itinerary for Tuesday, March 30th
GRANBURY POPULATION: 5,718 HISTORY: Founded in 1863, Granbury started as a square and log cabin court house. Many of the buildings on the square are now registered historic landmarks, including the Granbury Opera House, which still hosts Broadway productions. The city name originated from the Confederate General Hiram B. Granberry. Some scholars believe his name was misread as Granbury on a document, thus the city name is spelled differently, but recent findings have concluded that Granberry chose to spell his name Granbury. Recent expansion of the city was possible from the damming of the Brazos River in 1969, which formed Lake Granbury, a long, narrow lake which flows through the city. Jesse James is reported to be buried in the City of Granbury Cemetery. Contrary to the popular legend about James, it is believed by many, including many of his adult grandchildren, that James changed his name and lived to old age in Granbury. John Wilkes Booth, according to Granbury legend, moved to Hood County and assumed the name of John St. Helen. There is a store on the historic town square that is still called St. Helen’s. Granbury was voted “The Best Town Square in Texas” by the readers of Texas Highways Magazine.
ATTRACTIONS: Pate Museum of Transportation, Brazos Drive In Theatre, Granbury Opera House, Granbury Live, Granbury State Historical Cemetery, U.S. Veterans Museum, Barking Rocks Winery, Historic Cogdell House, and the Historic Downtown Square.
MINERAL WELLS POPULATION: The 2000 population estimate for Mineral Wells is 16,946 HISTORY: The area now known as Mineral Wells was first settled in the late 1870s. James Alvis Lynch and his family were the early settlers. The Lynch family drilled a well in the city in the summer of 1880. Though the water tasted funny in the beginning, the family soon realized that the water had medicinal powers. In fact, Mineral Wells was so named because of its mineral springs. The town of Mineral Wells was established in the fall of 1881, and Mr. Lynch became the first mayor. From these beginnings, the fortunes of Mineral Wells would arise. For decades visitors came to drink the Crazy Water and the city soon became known as the South’s Greatest Health Resort. .
ATTRACTIONS: Famous Mineral Water Company, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Replica, Old Jail Museum, Little Rock Schoolhouse, Brazos River, Boudreau Herb Farm, Clark Gardens Botanical Park, Ancient Art Soap Company. Gilbert Pecan Company, the Baker Hotel.
WEATHERFORD POPULATION: The population was 19,000 at the 2000 census HISTORY: Tribes of Native Americans were the original inhabitants of this region. In fact, even after settlers arrived in the 1840s, there were frequent reports of skirmishes with the Native Americans. These attacks, which continued well into the 1870s, resulted in the death of several residents. The community was named “Weatherford” in honor of State Senator, Jefferson Weatherford. The city got its first railroad in June, 1880. In 1908, the Santa Fe Depot was built in Weatherford. Due to its large-scale production of peaches, the city was named “Peach Capital of Texas” by the State Legislature.
ATTRACTIONS: Chandor Gardens, Historic Downtown, Cutting Horse Capital of the World, Museum of the America, Doss Heritage & Cultural Center, Weatherford Lake, Greenwood Cemetery, and the Parker County Courthouse. We will travel on toward Forth Worth, “The City of Cowboys & Culture”
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