ELGIN POP. 8,565
ALT. 579
MAP P-17
GREATER ELGIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: In the restored H&TC Freight Depot on Central Avenue. 512/285-4515.
www.elgintx.com.
No visit to Elgin would be complete without trying some Elgin hot sausage—two sausage companies make this specialty, and the Texas Legislature named the city the “Sausage Capital of Texas.” Find information at the visitor center. This Main Street City’s downtown is recapturing its early look by refurbishing its historic buildings. Elgin lies along the Presidential Corridor linking the
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Bryan/ College Station with the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin.
THE ELGIN DEPOT MUSEUM—Built in 1903 as a train depot through a “union” effort of two independent rail- roads in the area. A permanent exhibit details the town’s history and development through transportation from the early 1900s. The museum also features rotating exhibits. Donations accepted. 14 Depot St. 512/285-2000.
LAKES—Lake Bastrop, see BASTROP. Lake Walter E. Long, see AUSTIN.
NOFSINGER HOME—Built in 1906 of brick from an Elgin clay pit, the two-story structure has original woodwork and fixtures. It currently houses city administrative offices. 310 N. Main. 512/285-4515 or 512/281-5724.
ENNIS POP. 19,021
ALT. 548 MAP K-18
ENNIS CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU INFOR MATION CENTER: 002 E. Ennis Ave. 972/878-4748 or 888/366-4748.
www.visitennis.org.
This small city southeast of Dallas offers historical tours, antique shopping, lakes, parks and a drive-in theater. As one of the first “Rural Tourism Certified” communities, Ennis has preserved many buildings in its downtown area. The Texas Legislature named the city the “Official
Bluebonnet City of Texas.” Each April, the Ennis Garden Club sponsors the Bluebonnet Trails, one of the oldest wildflower events in Texas. The National Polka Festival, celebrating Ennis’ Czech heritage, is held Memorial Day weekend.
LAKE—Bardwell Lake—An Army Corps of Engineers impoundment. Several parks offer boat access, fishing, camping and picnicking. About four miles southwest of Ennis. Also accessible from Waxahachie. 972/875-5711.
www.recreation.gov.
RAILROAD AND CULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM— This museum houses memorabilia from the days when Ennis was a railroad hub, and includes a Book of Rules for train operators and photos of trains that stopped in town. Admission charge. 105 NE Main St. 972/875-1901.
TEXAS MOTORPLEX—This premier NHRA racetrack hosts an annual national racing event in October and pro- fessional and amateur drag racing all year. On U.S. 287, five minutes from downtown Ennis. 972/878-2641 or 800/668-6775.
www.texasmotorplex.com.
FAIRFIELD POP. 2,967
ALT. 461 MAP M-19
FAIRFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 900 W. Commerce St. 903/389-5792.
www.fairfieldtexaschamber.com.
Many people came to the area around the time of the Civil War, and annual soldier reunions were held 1890-1933. The old reunion ground is now the site of the annual Freestone County Fair and Rodeo in June. The county courthouse is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark built in Classical
Revival style. A Civil War cannon stands on the lawn at U.S. 84 and Keechi Street in memory of local soldiers who died in the conflict. Acres of peach trees produce fruit May through July. Sellers’ stands pop up during harvest season. Annual events include Show of Wheels in September,
Christmas on the Square in December and Market Days on the last weekend of each month (except Dec. and Jan.)
FREESTONE COUNTY MUSEUM—This museum is housed in the county’s third jail building, built around 1880. It features artifacts from the county’s beginnings. Also on grounds are two pre-Civil War cabins, an antique telephone museum, and a 1930s church established to re- form area bootleggers. Admission charge. 302 E. Main St. One block east of courthouse. 903/389-3738.
LAKES—Fairfield Lake—Public access is at Fair field Lake State Park. Park offers picnicking, camping and fishing. Seven miles northeast of Fairfield via F.M. 488, F.M. 2570 and F.M. 3285. 903/389-4514. Richland-Chambers Reservoir, see CORSICANA.
FARMERS BRANCH POP. 29,297
ALT. 633 MAP J-18/SS-7
FARMERS BRANCH CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: 13000 William Dodson Parkway. 972/919-2509.
www.visitfarmersbranch.com.
This community is credited with many of Dallas County’s firsts, including the area’s first church, school and black- smith shop. Brookhaven College is here. An array of furni- ture and home accessory stores can be found in the North Dallas Design District.
HISTORICAL PARK—This 22-acre park features historic buildings such as the 1856 Gilbert House, the oldest struc- ture in Dallas County; the 1870s Farmers Branch Depot; the 1900 Farmers Branch school; an 1885 Queen Anne Victorian Cottage; an 1890s old church; and examples of early log cabin architecture. Museum store. 2540 Farmers Branch Lane. 972/406-0184.
www.farmersbranch.info/ ParksRec/
Historicalpark.html.
FARMERSVILLE POP. 3,415
ALT. 652 MAP H-19
FARMERSVILLE VISITOR’S CENTER: 201 S. Main St. 972/782-6533.
www.farmersvilletx.com.
Farmersville was named by settlers for their chief occu- pation. By 1930, Farmersville was known as the “Onion Capital of North Texas,” shipping more than 1,000 car- loads each year of “East Collin Sweets.” Today, this Main Street City features many restored turn-of-the-century buildings, offering shopping and dining. The Victori- an-style Bain-Honaker House, built in 1865 and restored to its 1902 condition, is open for tours by appointment with the visitor’s center. Walking tour and shopping guides are available. Events include Audie Murphy Day in June and the Old
Time Saturday Celebration on the first Saturday in Octo- ber. The Farmers and Fleas Market, on the first Saturday of each month, is held at the Historic Onion Shed.
AUDIE MURPHY EXHIBIT AT THE RIKE MEMORIAL LIBRARY—Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of World War II, had been a resident of Farmersville before entering the U.S. Army. Displays feature copies of Mur- phy’s medals, autographed photos and other memorabilia. 203 Orange St. 972/782-6681.
www.rikelibrary.com.
CHAPARRAL TRAIL—Enjoy hiking, biking and geocach- ing on this five-mile paved railroad trail with scenic views and wildlife. Parking available at the Audie Murphy Trail- head downtown. 151 S. Main St.
www.farmersvilletx.com.
FREEDOM PLAZA—Town square includes the Audie L. Murphy Memorial, the Farmersville War Veterans Memori-
al, and the state historical marker celebrating Audie Mur- phy’s homecoming to Farmersville on June 15, 1945. McKinney Street at Washington Street.
HISTORIC ONION SHED—This open-air loading dock, built in the 1930s to get onions to market by railroad, is now a center for community events. 151 S. Main St., south of McKinney Street.
www.farmersvilletx.com.
LAKE—Lake Lavon, see MCKINNEY.
MAIN STREET MUSIC HALL—Features opry-style coun- try music shows on the second Sat. of each month. 135 S. Main St. 972/782-6778.
www.mainstreetmusichall.com.
MURAL—”Soil Conservation in Collin County,” commis- sioned during the Great Depression and painted by Texas artist Jerry Bywaters. 213 McKinney St. In the U.S. Post Office lobby. 972/782-7172.
FAYETTEVILLE POP. 280
ALT. 411 MAP Q-19
FAYETTEVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 979/378-4021.
www.fayettevilletxchamber.org.
This city on the Texas Pioneer Trail (Texas 159) was formed by families of Stephen F. Austin’s Old 300 settlers. The city had several names: Wadis Post Office, Alexander’s Voting Place and Lick Skillet (supposedly given by settlers who ar- rived late for festive occasions to find nothing to eat unless they wanted to “lick the skillet”). The community was final- ly named for town surveyor Philip J. Shaver’s birthplace in Fayetteville, N.C. The precinct house and jail on town square was built by
Fayette County residents to avoid trips to the courthouse in La Grange. Its Seth Thomas tower clock chimes on the hour and half-hour. Bed-and-breakfasts and guest cottages are available. Events include the Lickskillet Days Festival in October, Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival and Texas Pickin’ Park.
ARTS FOR RURAL TEXAS—This gallery offers rotating exhibits, ArtWalk events, concerts and more. 114 N. Live Oak. on the historic town square. 979/378-2113. http://arts-
forruraltexas.org.
info@artsforruraltexas.org.
FAYETTEVILLE AREA HERITAGE MUSEUM—This muse- um features items that reflect the area’s Czech, German and African-American heritage, including memorabilia of the Baca Band (first Czech family band in Texas) and a model train collection. 119 W. Washington. 979/877-5290 or 979/378-4021.
www.fayettevilletxmuseum.org.
FLATONIA POP. 1,462
ALT. 458 MAP Q-18
FLATONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE : 361/865-3920.
www.flatoniachamber.com.
This town is known as an excellent place to watch trains, and for its colorful Czech traditions. The annual chili festi- val, Czhilispiel (pronounced “chili spill”), is held in Octo- ber). Local sausages and kolaches are popular.
CENTRAL TEXAS RAIL HISTORY CENTER AND RAIL PARK—See train and railroad artifacts, photos and litera- ture. A railroad switching tower and caboose stand across the street and may be opened by appointment (call 979/743-5366). 104 E. South Main St. 713/524-1750.
E.A. ARNIM ARCHIVES AND MUSEUM—This facility fea- tures historical artifacts from town, including antique fur- niture, documents and a livery stable. Self-guided walking and driving tours of the city also are available here. 101 E. North Main St. 361/865-3455.
http://arnimmuseum.org.
FLATONIA RAILROAD PHOTO PAVILION —Offers a vantage point to watch trains on cross rails that run north, south, east and west. Hosts events for rail fans on the first Saturday of April and November. 602 W. North Main St. 979/743-5366.
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