Famous Things From Texas – Symbols
The Lone Star State is Proud of these Famous Things from Texas
Every state in the union has symbols that set it apart from the other states. Read up on the symbols you’ll find in Texas so you will recognize them when you see them during your visit. Have the kids help you count how many you see!
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Famous Things From Texas – The Yellow Rose of Texas
You might think the famous yellow rose of Texas is a flower but in fact, the original yellow rose of Texas was a woman. That much everyone agrees on. Which woman? There is some controversy there.
One thought regarding the yellow rose of Texas involves a woman named Emily West. She was ‘distracting’ the Mexican President, Santa Anna, just at the right time for Sam Houston and his troops to rush in and gain the upper hand in the battle of San Jacinto.
The original song, “The Yellow Rose of Texas” is a folk song written in the 1850s and possibly before. The lyrics referred to a ‘yellow girl’ who was the love interest of the song writer.
The lyrics were changed during the Civil war and the song was used for marching.
With still newer lyrics it has been sung by many famous artists like: Bing Crosby, Willie Nelson, Roy Rogers, Pat Boone, and Elvis Presley. It became a gold record in 1955.
The song, “The Yellow Rose of Texas” is one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
The flower, the yellow rose of Texas usually refers to Harrison’s Yellow rose. This compact bush has lots of small flowers which do well in the heat and bright sun of Texas.
Gaining in popularity now are the super easy to grow family of ‘Knock Out’ roses which now has a yellow member of the rose family called Sunny.
Famous Things From Texas – Longhorn Cattle
The Texas Longhorn is a breed of cattle known for its really long horns. The horns get up 6.9′ from tip to tip. They have many different colored coats but dark red and white mixes are most common.
Once upon a time, the longhorn was prized for its ability to survive easily in drought and heat. Now it is mostly known for being the mascot for the University of Texas in Austin.
The mascot for the University of Texas is a longhorn steer named Bevo. The story of how BEvo got its name is interesting. According to those that know, A&M, UT’s rival school, won a football game 13-0 and, in the fashion of college pranks, branded UT’s mascot with the score 13-0. The save face, UT added some lines, changed the 13 to a B and the ‘score’ became the name ‘Bevo’. Â True or not true depends on who you are talking to – an A&M Aggie or a UT Longhorn.
Famous Things From Texas – Cowboy Attire
There are real cowboys here in the Lone Star State to help care for the many, many heads of cattle here. You won’t see cowboys in big cities though but they do indeed wear ‘cowboy attire’.
Cowboy attire: cowboy boots, cowboy hat, western shirt, and jeans – often Wrangler jeans.
If you are lucky enough to arrive during rodeo season then you will see more cowboy outfits than you can shake a stick at!
COMING SOON – TEXAS SAYINGS EXPLAINED – “shake a stick at”
What do real life Texans wear? Boots! Lots of people own and wear cowboy boots – to work, out for dates nights and football games. Once, my husband’s company Christmas party invitation listed dress as ‘boots and dress casual’. If you are ever in Austin on a UT football game night you won’t be able to count how many pairs of boots you will see. Ditto if you head to the rodeo in Houston. If you attend a wedding in  Bryan, College Station, home to A&M university, check on the dress code – boots may be the norm.
You’ll see dress boots like this:
Texas ladies have a lot of choices in boots! Plain, stitched, blinged up…the sky is the limit!
Wear there with really anything – shorts, skirts, pants, jeans, evening wear!
Don’t forget the belt buckles!
Belt buckles can be anything from plain Jane to fancy schmancy and they can really be BIG!!
Texas ladies also love sparkles so you’ll see lots of rhinestones.
Famous Things From Texas – Bluebonnets
Hardy and beautiful the bluebonnet wildflower is the official state flower. Unless you are here in March or early April you’ll miss out on seeing this fabulous flower which often blooms by the many thousands along the side of the road.
It grows without any help from humans and during the peak blooming time usually in March, the large fields of flowers blooming at breathtaking.
The flowers have grown in Texas – always. The name comes from the shape which resembles the shape of a bonnet worn by the pioneer women.
While they’ve grown here forever , we have First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson to thank for seeing them along side the road so often. She promoted the Highway Beautification Act which led to the planting of wildflowers along state highways.
Bluebonnets are traditionally blue and white but the A&M horticultural department has recently introduced the maroon bluebonnet after the university’s school colors. This maroon bluebonnet is called Alamo Fire.
So, how did we end up with an Aggie Bluebonnet? Well, once up on a time, two horticulturalists wanted to plant a ‘Texas flag’ out of red, white and blue bluebonnets. This was a lovely idea except bluebonnets are not red. They decided to try to breed pink ones…and over time they gave up on a red and instead ended up with a maroon one! Would you be surprised to know one of the horticulturalists was an Aggie?
CLICK HERE – All You Need to Know About Bluebonnets
Famous Things From Texas – The Texas Star
Since Texas is the Lone Star State that one star on the flag is really important to Texans and you will see it everywhere! The single star on the flag
“represents all of Texas and stands for our unity as one for God, State, and Country.”
The Texas star can be used for a decoration and you will see it on front doors, mailboxes, door handles, lamps, and as decoration on wrought iron fences. You’ll be surprised at how many you’ll find. They are really everywhere! The state capitol building has them all over everything!
CLICK HERE – Visit Texas’ State Capitol Building in Austin
Famous Things From Texas – Chili
Chili was actually invented right here in Texas. It was featured at the Chicago’s World’s Fair in 1893 and took off like a shot!
COMING SOON – Texas Sayings explained like “took off like a shot”
Here you’ll find STRONG opinions as to what goes into ‘real’ Texas chili. Some people say that REAL Texas chili would never have beans. Other people say that REAL Texas chili always has beans.
So, I’m a REAL Texan who was born here so I figure my opinion has a little weight on the subject. I think REAL Texas chili is made by REAL Texans. There you have it.
CLICK HERE – REAL Texas Recipes for REAL Texas Chili
Absolutely true! The Texas star and boots are everywhere !