Near Ennis in Ellis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Sokol Karel Havlíček Borovský

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 31, 2026

1. Sokol Karel Havlíček Borovský Marker

Inscription.
In the 19th century, Slavic people from Moravia, Bohemia and Silesia, from the modern-day Czech Republic, began immigrating to the United States due to political persecution, economic hardship and a desire for greater freedom. The first Czech immigrants to Ellis County came in the mid-1880s, bringing with them a Czech physical, educational and cultural organization known as a Sokol. In April 1908, 25 charter members from Ennis formed Sokol Karel Havlíček Borovský (KHB), named after Czech figure Karel Havlíček Borovský of Bohemia. The first president of the Sokol in Ennis was Alois Jurcik (1866-1954). Sokol KHB became the first Texas sokol accepted into the National Union Sokol (now American Sokol) on April 2, 1909.

Gymnastics classes were held in the hall of a local Czech fraternal order until the Sokol’s gymnasium was built in 1912. New gyms were constructed in 1913, 1917, 1936, 1971 and 1991. Sokol KHB has provided calisthenics, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics, twirling, volleyball, swimming and traditional Czech music and dance. "Slets," or large festivals and

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exhibitions, began annually at both local and district levels. Gymnasts from Sokol KHB participated in competitions in Granger in 1910; Dallas and Chicago in 1925; and Vienna, Austria, in 1962. Sokol KHB has actively promoted Czech culture and heritage through traditional events such as dances and festivals, Czech language classes, folk dancing and authentic cooking. A sokol band played at activities and dances. Czech classes were regularly sponsored. For over a century, Sokol Karel Havlíček Borovský has continued to fulfill the motto adopted by Sokols worldwide of a "healthy mind in a healthy body" while providing a link to the Czech homeland.

Erected 2024 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 24365.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Immigration • Settlements & Settlers • Sports. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1908.

Location. 32° 21.039′ N, 96° 35.864′ W. Marker is near Ennis, Texas, in Ellis County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 34 and Vrzalik Road, on the left when traveling east on State Highway 34. Touch for map. Marker

Sokol Karel Havlíček Borovský and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 31, 2026

2. Sokol Karel Havlíček Borovský and marker

is at or near this postal address: 2622 E State Hwy 34, Ennis TX 75119, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Southern Pacific Railroad in Ennis (approx. 2.3 miles away); Katie Daffan (approx. 2.3 miles away); Pierce Park (approx. 2.3 miles away); Railroads in Ennis (approx. 2.3 miles away); Town of Ennis (approx. 2.3 miles away); Ennis Bluebonnet Trails (approx. 2.3 miles away); The H.P. Barkley Home (approx. 2.4 miles away); Ennis National Bank Building (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ennis.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.