Texas designated petrified palmwood as the official state "stone" in 1969 (petrified wood is actually a fossil rather than a stone). Petrified wood is also the state gem of Washington, and the state fossil of North Dakota and Louisiana. All State Fossils - All State Stones
Texas designated the square dance as the official state folk dance in 1991. All State Dances
Twenty-two states have passed legislation to declare the square dance as a state symbol, and more than 30 bills have been introduced at the federal level proposing the square dance as the national (folk) dance of the United States, beginning in 1965.
The Texas state railroad was designated the official railroad of Texas in 2003. All Railroad Symbols
Trains have rolled along the Texas State Railroad Since 1896. The historic state railroad is still maintained as a fully self-contained railroad system.
Texas designated the chiltepin as the official state native pepper in 1997 (the jalapeño pepper is also a symbol of Texas). All Food Symbols
The name "chiltepin" is believed to be Aztec in origin. A tiny round berry slightly larger than a peppercorn. Experts believe the Chiltepin is the original wild chile - the plant from which all others have evolved!
The name Texas is derived from the word "teyshas" (meaning friends or allies), from the native American Caddo language. All State Name Origins
The official state motto of Texas is simply "Friendship" (House Concurrent Resolution No. 22, 41st Legislature; 1930). All State Mottos
The name "Texas" originates from a native American (Caddo) word; "teyshas" (meaning "friends" or "allies").
WHEREAS, The State of Texas has heretofore officially adopted the "Blue Bonnett" as its State Flower, the "Mocking Bird" as its State Bird and "Texas, Our Texas" as its State Song, and
Cotton was designated the official state fiber and fabric of Texas in 1997. Cotton was first grown in Texas by Spanish missionaries; the missions at San Antonio in 1745 reported growing, spinning and weaving several thousand pounds of cotton annually. All Agricultural Symbols
Texas designated the U.S.S. Texas as the official state ship in 1995 (Texas also recognized an official state tall ship in 2005). All State Vessels & Aircraft
The U.S.S. Texas is a national historic landmark placed under the stewardship of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Texas designated the lightning whelk (Busycon perversum pulleyi) as the official state shell in 1987. All Marine-Life Symbols
The Texas sweet onion was designated the official state vegetable of Texas in 1997. All State Foods
The Lone Star State's most famous onion ("Texas 1015") is super sweet and contains very little pyruvate (tear-causing substance released during chopping). Onions are now the leading vegetable crop of Texas. Americans consumed 18.6 pounds of onions per person in 1998.