It seems that everyplace needs to have its little claim to fame. Fifteen miles Southwest is Greenville, Texas, home of Audie Murphy, World War Two’s most decorated soldier. South east of us is Sulfur Springs, home of----well--- sulfur springs. North of us is Paris, Texas, home of the Eiffel Tower. Then there is little Commerce, Texas right in the middle of these three "metroplexes". What can Commerce claim? Enter the little Bois D’Arc tree also known as the Osage Orange. At the risk of turning off everyone with any French or Cajun background, it is pronounced BOW DARK by the Texans around here. One has to remember that there isn’t much they pronounce right by many peoples’ standards. Even the maligned word “Ya’ll” is pronounced “Yaw” in Texas. Anyway, I digress.

The Bois D’Arc tree was first discovered by settlers when they crossed the Mississippi. The Osage Indians used the wood to make bows thus the name. Bois D’Arc is French for “wood of the bow”. The wood of the tree is extremely hard and can quickly dull a chain saw. It also will not float on water. The spines on the branches can also quickly dull one’s desire to cut it down. The fruit of the Bois D’Arc is a large green “horse apple” which may be eaten by horses and other animals but are not consumed by humans. Many , however, have become painful missiles when chunked at unsuspecting siblings. I read one comment that stated that the fruit is actually sold at farmers’ markets as an insect repellent. You should brush the bugs off of the insect repelling fruit before taking it home! Actually I’ve read it works well getting rid of spiders.

Anyway, Commerce has many Bois D’Arc trees and considers itself the Bois D’Arc capital of Texas. Each fall, when the horse apples have fallen, Commerce, Texas celebrates the Bois D’Arc bash with parades, pageants, food, music, crafts, and fun. The parade has every bit of the small town charm that these kinds of events produce. Neighbors meet neighbors, the band strikes up some tunes and the smell of barbeque smoke and funnel cakes fills the air. This is small town Americana at its best.

 Just a little editor's note. This is not an advertisement for the Drunken Mule Saloon seen in many of the pictures. I just happened to be standing there!