Ennis Heritage Society

03/30/2026

Didn’t get everything you needed for your garden yet? 🌱
The Ennis FFA Plant Sale still has tomatoes, peppers, herbs, flowers, and trees available.
Go support these students—you’ll be glad you did.

03/26/2026

The Alma Expedition 🚂

Field Note: 49 history explorers joined us to trace the deep roots of Alma, Texas!

We spent the evening navigating a unique "Transportation Evolution." From its early days as the Willow Pond stagecoach stop to the iron thunder of the H&TC Railroad and the electric hum of the Interurban, Alma has always been a town on the move.

The real "twist" in the trail? The families. While the mid-century arrival of I-45 decimated the historic townsite's physical footprint, it couldn't shake the residents. We heard incredible stories of families who simply adjusted their sights and kept their businesses and homes thriving right alongside the new pavement. It turns out, Alma’s heritage isn't just in the archives—it’s still in the neighborhood.

A huge thank you to everyone who filled the seats at the . Your personal stories and family legacies are the true "living history" of Ellis County.

Missed the trek? 🎥 Watch the full presentation here
👉https://www.ennisheritagesociety.com/news-and-events/hphrtfkkmctxfgmuqtbq50pw68kwkb-3pxe8

03/25/2026

The Farm has a lot of exciting things going on with hosting the Prairie Wildlife and Wildflower Adventure on Sunday, April 26, 2026; participating in the Master Gardeners Expo on Saturday, March 28, 2026; and welcoming the Texas Historical Commission Phase II Review Committee to the Farm in connection with the Farm being considered as a State Historic Site. See the Farm's newsletter for more information: https://mailchi.mp/ec4001e5aa07/ellis-county-rural-heritage-farm-inc-a-lot-to-celebrate-march-2026-14063117

03/19/2026

FINAL BOARDING CALL: Our expedition into the history of Alma, Texas, departs tomorrow evening!

Whether you arrived by the "Spirit of Alma" buggy or modern wheels, there is a seat saved for you at the Ennis Public Library . We are moving beyond the maps to meet the people who kept this community moving through every era—from its origins as the Willow Pond stagecoach stop to the arrival of the H&TC Railroad and the electric Interurban.

The Ennis Heritage Society invites you to bring your own local stories and questions to share as we celebrate the families and businesses that continue to call Alma home today.

EVENT: Alma, Texas: Early Life of a Texas Town

SPEAKER: Bruce Fowler
DATE: Tomorrow, March 19
CLOCK-IN: 6:00 pm
BASECAMP: Ennis Public Library, 501 West Ennis Avenue
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC



Photo: Courtesy of City of Alma, TX

03/11/2026

FIELD NOTE: Evolution isn't just for the bison. 🦬

In Alma, community evolution looked like a steady "tech upgrade." We are talking about shifting from the rhythmic hoofbeats of the Willow Pond stagecoach stop to the steam-whistle roar of the H&TC Railroad, and finally to the high-voltage hum of the electric Interurban.

Most towns are lucky to have one claim to fame; Alma had the whole "Transportation Evolution" starter pack. These weren't just lines on a map—they were the lifelines that connected Alma to the world and built the foundations for the families and businesses that still thrive there today.

Join us as Bruce Fowler traces these historic routes and shares how Alma became such a unique crossroads for Texas transit.

📍 Location: Ennis Public Library
🗓️ Date: Thursday, March 19
⏰ Time: 6:00 pm
💰 Admission: Free and open to the public.

History is a journey. We’ll see you at the station on the 19th.

03/05/2026

Ever seen a town that was, well, mostly just a sign?

Come on out for a virtual expedition into the early life of Alma, Texas. Back in the day, some towns didn’t start with a bang; they started with a single platform and maybe two guys with very sharp suits wondering when the next train was coming.

Learn how this community carved its place on the map .

🗣️ “Alma, Texas: Early Life of a Texas Town”
🎙️ A Presentation by Bruce Fowler
🗓️ Thursday, March 19, 2026
⏰ 6:00 pm
📍 Ennis Public Library

This expedition is FREE and open to the public. No hiking boots required.

03/02/2026

About 70 of you joined us On Feb. 19th — and what a ride it was. 🚁

The story of the Superconducting Super Collider proved once again that Ellis County doesn’t do small ideas. Big science, bigger vision… and a few “you’ve got to be kidding me” moments along the way.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Ennis Heritage Society at the Ennis Public Library . The questions, conversations, and hallway storytelling afterward were half the fun.

Missed it? Or want to revisit the almost-center-of-the-universe moment? 🎥 Watch the full presentation here
👉https://www.ennisheritagesociety.com/news-and-events/hphrtfkkmctxfgmuqtbq50pw68kwkb

02/28/2026

02/19/2026

🚧 Big science. Big plans. One very big “what if” for Ellis County.

Join the Ennis Heritage Society tomorrow night for our Superconducting Super Collider program as all of our speakers come together to tell the story of the project that almost put our corner of Texas at the center of the universe (yes, really). FREE to the public.

📍 Ennis Public Library
🗓️ Feb 19, Thursday
⏰ 6:00 PM

FEATURING: Catherine Gannon, Jeff Gannon, Sugar Glaspy & Bruce Fowler.
Pull up a chair, bring a friend, and come hear the history that nearly rewrote our local map. No hard hats required — just curiosity.