Chasing Bluebonnets and other Texas wild flowers can be an elusive
thing. Bluebonnets start blooming March and continue into May.
The Bluebonnet thrives in most of Texas except in far
west Texas and the Pan Handle area, unless you plant them in your yard.
I have seen a lot of Bluebonnets in the Big Bend, but conditions have
to be just right. One of my favorite Bluebonnets trails is along
a portion of the La Bahía road.
The La Bahía or Lower Road was originally an east-west Indian trail
in southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas and eventually extended
to Washington-on-the-Brazos and
La Bahía (Goliad). This Bluebonnet trail starts in Washington on the Brazos through Independence and
ends in Burton. Only 34 miles it takes about an hour to drive if
driving is all your interested in doing. You can easily spend the
day if you open your eyes and see what's around you.
Independence Hall - Washington on the Brazos
Washington on the Brazos is a historic significant place in Texas
History. While Travis, Bowie, Crockett and men were fighting Santa
Anna and his Mexican army at the Alamo and group of other Texians were
declaring independence from Mexico. The Texas Declaration of
Independence was signed March 2nd 1836 in small building located here at
Washington in the Brazos. Today at Washington on the Brazos is a
state historic site with very good museum, Texas colonial demonstration
farm and in season, Bluebonnets.
Bluebonnets at Independence, Texas
"Head northwest on Farm to Market Rd 1155 E (1.4 miles), Turn
left at TX-105 W (3.7 miles), Turn right at Co Rd 93/Wm Penn Rd (4.6
miles), Turn right at Farm to Market Rd 390 E/La Bahía Trail."
Independence, Texas was originally called Coles Settlement named for
the original settler, one of Austin's "Old 300". The name was
changed after the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed up the La
Bahía Road. It's also the original home of Baylor University
(Waco) and Mary-Hardin Baylor University (Belton). Both of these
former campuses are now great places to see Bluebonnets and other wild
flowers. Independence is also the home of the Antique Rose
Emporium. It specializes in older classes of garden roses, native
plants, old-fashioned garden perennials and herbs planted in display
gardens. Also in Independence across from the 3rd oldest Baptist
Church in Texas is the final resting place of Margaret Lea Houston, Sam
Houston's wife.
La Bahia Road (FM 390) - Between Independence and Gay Hill
Bluebonnets - Gay Hill, Texas
"Head west on Farm to Market Rd 390 E/La
Bahía Trail E toward Farm to Market Rd 50 (10 miles)"
Gay Hill was an educational and religious center on the La Bahía Road
in early Texas. Rev. Hugh Wilson established the second Presbyterian
Church in Texas there in 1839. Today there is very little in the
way of a town left but it is the best of the best on this Bluebonnet
trail to see vistas of Bluebonnets and other wildflowers. Oh, did
I remind you to bring your camera?
"Head southwest on Farm to Market Rd 390 W
(6.8 miles), Turn right at Farm to Market Rd 1948 N/Farm to Market Rd
390 (3.2 miles). Continue to follow Farm to Market Rd 390 to Burton,
Continue onto N Main St/TX-"125 Spur E
Burton, Texas, the newest town on the La Bahía Road Bluebonnet Trail
was established in 1862. The Houston and Texas Central Railway
from Brenham to Austin came to Burton after the Civil War. With
the railroad, a booming cotton economy and a cotton gin the population
soared to 600 by 1910.
"Head southwest on Farm to Market Rd 390 W
(6.8 miles), Turn right at Farm to Market Rd 1948 N/Farm to Market Rd
390 (3.2 miles). Continue to follow Farm to Market Rd 390 to Burton,
Continue onto N Main St/TX-"125 Spur E
Burton, Texas, the newest town on the La Bahía Road Bluebonnet Trail
was established in 1862. The Houston and Texas Central Railway
from Brenham to Austin came to Burton after the Civil War. With
the railroad, a booming cotton economy and a cotton gin the population
soared to 600 by 1910.
Today the railroad is gone, the booming cotton economy is gone, but
the 95+ year old cotton gin is still in place. It happens to be
the oldest operating cotton gin in America. Maintained and
operated by the
Burton Cotton Gin Museum.
Each year in April, during Bluebonnet season, the museum holds an Annual Cotton Gin Festival. If you
can plan your Bluebonnet tour to include the Cotton Gin Festival it
would be a good idea.
