The 7th Texas Legislature adopted the bluebonnet as the state flower on March 7, 1921, but the final decision came after some passionate support for at least two other plants. One lawmaker spoke in favor of the cotton boll, since cotton was king in Texas. Another supported the cactus, noting the plant’s durability and the beauty of its flowers. His eloquent support earned John Nance Garner the nickname of “Cactus Jack,” a sobriquet that remained with him throughout his long political career, which included service in the Congress and one term as Vice President of the United States.
Legislators, however, selected the bluebonnet, which was proposed by the National Society of Colonial Dames. Their choice was Lupinus subcarnosus, commonly known as buffalo clover or bluebonnet. When the resolution was introduced, it passed with no opposition. But not all Texans were totally happy with the choice. Some thought the Lupinus texensisa better option, which is showier and a bolder shade of blue. The issue would come up periodically, but the lawmakers avoided getting caught in the conflict. Finally in 1971 the Legislature added the two species together plus any other variety of bluebonnet heretofore not recorded. Unbeknownst to the lawmakers, there were three other species of Lupines in the state, technically making all five the state flower.
Regardless which variety a Texan prefers, all agree that its beauty is unsurpassed. Indian lore gives it Divine status. One popular story relates how an Indian village was suffering the effects of a severe drought. When the medicine man petitioned the Great Spirit for relief, he received word that the village had committed a great offense against the Great Spirit, an act so heinous that it required the sacrifice of the most valuable object in their possession. Upon hearing the message from the medicine man, a young girl became convinced that she must save her people by sacrificing her most valued possession, which was her doll made from the feathers of the blue jay. As the village slept, she placed her doll on the camp fire, and the flames quickly consumed the girl’s treasure. She took the ashes and scattered them on the surrounding hillside. The next morning, those hills were covered with beautiful flowers, the color of her doll, a sign the Great Spirit had been appeased. Each spring the flowers return, confirming the girl’s sacrificial spirit.
In the 1930s the Texas Highway Department began a landscaping and beautification program that included planting bluebonnets all along the state’s highways, greatly extending the flowers range. Lady Bird Johnson also helped spread the flowers along roads and highways.
The bluebonnet actually is more than a state flower. As historian Jack Maguire commented, it has become a floral symbol as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and Stetson hats. It is to Texas what the Shamrock is to Ireland and the tulip is to Holland. It is a popular subject for photographers and artists and many communities celebrate with bluebonnet festivals.
—————
Dr. Tommy Stringer is executive director of the Navarro College Foundation.
Click here to e-mail Dr. Tommy Stringer.
Click here to Soundoff on this story.
Latest News
Related Photos
Discussion
The Legend of the Texas Bluebonnet
- Latest News
-
-
Jim Collins scholarships awarded to 47 CHS graduates
As Corsicana High School seniors prepare for graduation in two weeks, celebrations have been plenty.
This week, 47 Corsicana High School seniors found another reason to celebrate success — they were named Collins Scholarship recipients. -
VOICE luncheon, style show brings fashions and funnies
When it comes to red carpet fashion, comedienne Joan Rivers is one of the more well-known, self-appointed authorities, and she had plenty to say during Thursday’s 9th Annual VOICE, Inc., Spring Luncheon and Style Show.
More than 100 people attended the annual fundraising event at the Cook Center, which featured local models showing off fashions from area retailers while the show’s emcee, Ellie Weingardt, delivered witty commentary as a Rivers impersonator. -
Grand Jury: Houston area rapper indicted locally on drug charges
A multi-platinum selling rap artist from Houston was indicted Thursday by the Navarro County Grand Jury during its May panel. Wesley Eric Weston, known professionally as “Lil’ Flip,” was indicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance over 400 grams. Weston and another man, Dematrius Delane Richardson, were arrested by DPS troopers Oct. 18, 2012
-
Local Beat 5/24/13
A listing of meetings and events of interest from throughout Navarro County
-
Fire Marshal's Office: Panel had blast site access
AUSTIN — The Texas State Fire Marshal's Office says a federal safety panel's investigators had access to the site of the West fertilizer plant blast that killed 15 people and injured about 200 others.
-
Texas has 8 of top 15 fastest-growing cities in US
HOUSTON — New estimates show Texas has eight of the nation's 15 fastest-growing cities. Estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau show San Marcos in Central Texas led the way with a nearly 5 percent population boom between July 2011 and July 2012. That's the highest rate among U.S. cities with at least 50,000 people.
-
Texas Country artists organize Moore benefit
It took less than 30 minutes for a devastating EF-5 tornado to make a shambles out of the community of Moore, Okla. on Monday afternoon.
It took less than two days for Texas country musicians Scott Brown and Josh Ward to find themselves stopping in Corsicana on their way to Moore with three trailers full of relief supplies for the victims of the storm. -
Oklahoma tornado damage could top $2 billion
MOORE, Okla. — The tornado that tore through an Oklahoma City suburb destroyed or damaged as many as 13,000 homes and may have caused $2 billion in overall damage, officials said Wednesday.
-
‘Click it or Ticket’ enforcement underway locally
As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, Corsicana police are urging everyone to buckle up.
Law enforcement officials are out in full force, taking part in the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted. -
Blooming Grove ag mechanics 15th at state
Four Blooming Grove FFA Agricultural Mechanics team members were district champions, ranked third in Area competition at Tarleton State University, and advanced to the State contest at Sam Houston State University.
- More Latest News Headlines
-
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
