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Every spring thousands of Texans
go out on the highways and byways of Texas to view the splendor of
wild flower blossoms.
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja spp), Black-eyed Susans
(Rudbeckia hirta), Texas Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis)
and many other wildflowers dot the landscape from East Texas to the Big
Bend, from the Rio Grande Valley to the Panhandle – High Plains.
The primary flower; the main flower; the state flower of Texas, is
the Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis).
The best place to view these
springtime beauties is as much a matter civic pride as anything else.
The Chambers of Commerce from ever town of any size in the Texas
Hill country claim to be the best, producing wild flower tour maps and
festivals of all kinds promoting their area as the best of the best
examples of Bluebonnet Blossoms.
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Main Street during the annual Texas Bluebonnet Festival
Chappell Hill, Texas
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The "Bluebonnet House"
Chappell Hill, Texas
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However
there is only one “Official” Bluebonnet Festival in Texas.
In Washington County at the small town of Chappell Hill is the
"Bluebonnet Festival of Texas".
This small
historic town was founded in 1847 and was a thriving community.
It served as a shipping point for cotton and other crops, a
financial center and had two small schools of higher learning.
A changing post Civil War economy and the 1867 Yellow Fever
epidemic nearly wiped the town out.
Today
Chappell Hill has a population of about 600 Texans, 25 Historical
Markers and 10 National Register sites, including the Main Street
Historical District. |
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On one April
weekend every spring the population of Chappell Hill grows 10 fold, as
cow pastures become parking lots and Main Street becomes a vendor's mall of fine crafts and gaudy gee-gaws of every description.
Ever wondered where to get a Texas Flag necktie, a wind chime made
out of Lone Star beer cans, a pair of Bluebonnet earrings, or a
beautiful oil painting featuring the holy trinity of the Texas Hill
country; Barns, Barbed Wire and Bluebonnets? This
is the place.
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There is always Music...
"Back
at the Ranch"
Formerly know as Clover and Rachel Carroll
Chappell Hill, Texas
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Vendors on Cedar Street
Chappell Hill, Texas
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Chappell (Chapel) Hill is located at U.S. Highway 290 and FM 1155,
fifty-seven miles northwest of Houston in southeastern Washington County.
On Festival weekend go early. If you are not early and coming out of
the Houston area get in the right lane of U.S. Highway 290 at least five
miles before the right turn into Chappell Hill. The traffic
really stacks up. Rain or shine take an umbrella.
On days other than Festival weekend, don't blink or you'll miss it.
Texas Bob
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2008
Bluebonnet Festival - April 12 & 13
2009
Bluebonnet Festival - April 18 & 19
Hours & Fees
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
There are no admission fees. There is a $5.00 parking fee. The parking
lot is located on FM 1155 a short distance North of the intersection of
Hwy. 290 and FM 1155.
4/12-13/2003
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Other Resources
Chappell
Hill Museum
Chappell
Hill Chamber of Commerce
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Do you love visiting Texas? Visit this site for information on
buying timeshares in Texas and other places to
buy
timeshares throughout the world.
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