original article: Texas' Fields of Blue | Ford Times April 1953
In Texas the bluebonnets, too, grow big and bright. This foremost of all the lupines, which Texas officially adopted as its flower in 1901, was known as wolf flower, buffalo clover, or el conejo (the rabbit) until Texas became settled. Then the blossom’s resemblance to a woman’s sunbonnet assured its being called the “bluebonnet" ever after.
Two cities, working independently of each other, make provision for acquainting the world with their respective shares of the annual bounty of blue. Marlin, which is not far from Waco, established its Texas Bluebonnet Fiesta in 1938. It is primarily for photographers, both amateur and professional, but everyone is welcome. The date can’t be fixed in advance, but sometime in April, when the northbound flood of sky-blue flowers seems about to engulf the town, the word is sent out, and photographers and nature lovers come running. Prizes are awarded for the best photographs.
Not many miles away is the town of Ennis, whose Women’s Garden Club each year designates three Bluebonnet Trails in its area and invites the public to come and enjoy them. For weeks ahead of time the roads and byways in the area are scouted to determine where the best displays will be. When the blue host appears, mimeographed maps of the three loop trails, beginning and ending at Ennis, are given to each visitor.
Though it still occurs in vast colonies and decorates miles of roadsides, the bluebonnet is on the wane in Texas. Cattlemen hate it because it is tough and bitter and cattle will not touch it. Recent years of drought have discouraged it, and as more and more land is brought into cultivation its natural range is curtailed. The State Highway Department gathers seed and sows it along the principal highways so that there will always be bluebonnets in Texas.
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