Bullard sign on U.S. 69 |
Bullard is located in East Texas between Tyler and Jacksonville, and south of the communities of Gresham and Flint. Highways intersecting Bullard include U.S. Highway 69, FM 2493 (Old Jacksonville Highway), and FM 344.
Situated 12 miles south of Tyler, parts of Bullard are located in northern Cherokee County, and other sections in extreme southern Smith County. The population in the 2020 census was 3,318.
Bullard uses telephone area code 903, and the Bullard Post Office is assigned Zip Code 75757.
This page is an online resource for Bullard travel, tourism, hotels, restaurants, shopping, attractions, maps, government, and recreation. It provides information for newcomers, visitors, and long-time residents.
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Today, Bullard is experiencing exponential growth as a "bedroom community" for nearby Tyler, and has gained a reputation as a great place to live.
It offers a highly-rated public school system as well as The Brook Hill School, a private school known throughout the Tyler area. The Bullard Independent School System (BISD) operates Bullard Primary, Bullard Elementary, Bullard Intermediate, Bullard Middle, and Bullard High School.
Bullard offers a variety of tourist attractions and things to do within the city, and in close by areas.
For golfing enthusiasts, the Peachtree and Oak Hurst Golf Courses are nearby, just north of Bullard on U.S. 69. More golfing is available at Eagles Bluff and Emerald Bay, both west of Bullard.
We encourage those with an interest in the history of Bullard to visit the Bullard History Museum located downtown at 105 N. Phillips Street.
Nearby Bullard is Moore Farms, a fun place to visit for all ages of the family year round.
Also of interest is the Dewberry Plantation, dating to 1854. This historic home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and registered as a Texas State Historical Landmark.
Dewberry Plantation, west of Bullard, Texas (photo courtesy of Dewberry Plantation)
The American Freedom Museum is located just a few blocks from downtown Bullard on the Brookhill School campus. The Museum contains 15,000 sq.ft. of galleries showcasing a collection of 700 artifacts and documents about our nation’s history. We recommend a trip to the museum, and exploring the Hall of Presidents and the Hall of Freedom.
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American Freedom Museum Traveler reviews and photos at TripAdvisor |
American Freedom Museum, Bullard, Texas |
South of Bullard near Jacksonville is the Cherokee Trace Drive Thru Safari, a wildlife park that is home to an amazing variety of wildlife. See over a dozen exotic and endangered species that thrive in an open habitat similar to their native territory. At your own pace, enjoy a self-guided drive through the hills and open savannas of this 300-acre preserve.
For those interested in riding horses, a visit to Tarrant Ranch in Mt. Selman, south of Bullard, is recommended. The ranch is one of the few properties in Texas that has been under continuous ownership and management by members of the same family for more than 160 years. This is a perfect place to bring school group, your riding club or family for a quiet, inexpensive getaway.
For those that love outdoor riding, visit Cactus Speedway. Cactus Speedway is a 1/5 mile oval clay surface race track for Go Karts, ATVs & Motorcycles located in Bullard. Cactus Speedway is a family built, owned and operated race track. Tom and Barbara Terry and their son and his wife, Tommy and Susan Terry are the owners of Cactus Speedway. The Terry children and grandchildren are all involved in the operations of the track making it truly a family affair.
Just east of Bullard on FM 344 is Kiepersol Enterprises. On the grounds are a complete range of activities, facilities and services:
In October is the popular Kiepersol Harvest Festival & Grape Stomp.
Guided tours of the winery are available year-round. The beautiful Winery Tasting Room overlooks the vineyards.
In addition, vodka sampling is offered at their new distillery. Highly recommended! Shown below are photos taken by our staff during a recent visit to Kiepersol.
Sign for Kiepersol Enterprises on US 69 in Bullard, Texas
Welcome to Kiepersol Estates Winery Tasting Room
Part of the vineyards at Kiepersol
KE Bushman Celebration Center at Kiepersol
KE Bushman's RV Camp at Kiepersol
The William Pitt Loftin family settled in the area around 1850, and the Etna post office, located to the west of the current town, opened in 1867.
In 1870 John and Emma Eugenia Erwin Bullard settled in the area and in 1881 opened the Hewsville post office in his general store.
Historic Bullard, Texas Depot of the St. Louis and Southwestern Railroad |
In 1883 the Etna post office closed and the Hewsville office was renamed Bullard.
The Bullard railroad station was completed in August 1884 by the Kansas and Gulf Short Line Railroad.
The community became a shipping point for cotton, vegetables, and fruits. By 1890 the town had a sawmill, two general stores, a physician, a smithy and wagon shop, a telegraph office, cotton gin and gristmill.
By 1892 Bullard had added a grocer, a constable, a justice of the peace, a druggist, a physician, a feed store, schools, and a new general store.
In the 1920s additional business opened including several packing sheds, restaurants, a movie theater, and boarding houses. A portable jail, seven feet in diameter and made of a barred round tank on wheels, held prisoners until the county sheriff could escort them to Tyler.
In the post-World War II years Bullard again became a shipping point for fruit and vegetables.
We encourage those with an interest in the history of Bullard to visit the Bullard History Museum located downtown at 105 N. Phillips Street, and to view the Bullard History Museum on Facebook.
Vintage Postcard: An East Texas Farm Home at Bullard, Texas, on the Cotton Belt Route
The Bullard History Museum (staff photo)
Bullard Cemetery, circa 1855 (staff photo)
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Bullard Texas City Hall (staff photo) |
Part of the Bullard ISD (staff photo) |