Ennis (Texas)

Ennis is a city in Ellis County, Texas, United States, located south of Dallas. The population was 18,513 at the 2010 census, up from 16,454 at the 2000 census. The city is notable for its historic Czech heritage, with several community halls dedicated to different fraternities and organizations celebrating Bohemian, Moravian, and Slovak heritage. It is also home to the Bluebonnet Festival, the National Polka Festival, and several National Hot Rod Association drag races at the Texas Motorplex, most notably the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals.HistoryIn 1872 the Houston and Central Texas Railroad (H&TC) arrived at the spot that would become Ennis. The city is named for Cornelius Ennis, an official of the railroad. Ennis served as Mayor of Houston (1856–57), and as a director of the Houston Tap and Brazoria Railway and H&TC.Between 1874 and 1890, the population grew from 300 to 3,000. Many of the settlers came from the war-torn Confederate States of America and others came from the war-ravaged European nations that later became Czechoslovakia.