Waxahachie Favorites

2 more images

Favorite thing: Historic Waxahachie takes pride in preserving their turn-of-the-century treasures. The town awards historical markers to structures as "Worthy of Preservation" and encourages owners to restore them. There are three historical designations.

Historic Waxahachie,Inc. designed the East and West Historical Driving Tours in order to present their homes to the public. These maps are very helpful as one wanders the streets.

There are five historic districts: The Ellis County Courthouse District

The West End Historic District

The Oldham Avenue Historic District

The Wyatt Street Shotgun Houses District

The North Rogers Street Historic District

There are over 275 sites and buildings recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.

The town's economy has slowed since the Cotton era, which enabled the rich architectural heritage that we see today to remain much as it was in the hey day of prosperity.

Favorite thing: I think this home is stately with the dramatic peak to the left and its porch of two levels!

It was built in the Italianate Victorian style, which included a looming tower. The home was remodeled in 1889 to its present Neoclassical Revival style, characterized by two story Doric columns.

I can imagine how wonderfully a breeze cools the house in Spring or Fall as it flows beneath the shaded porch and into the rooms above and below. However, in the Summer...I don't know if anything helps!The house is painted a light shade of grey with cream trim and a bright red door. It sits surrounded by mature trees and sports two chimneys.

Favorite thing: This home is said to the the finest Queen Anne style home in the city and is listed on the National Register.

It is circa 1888-1897. I think the asymmetrical design of the home contributes to its attraction. It's a stand out! Although its not evident from my photo, this home goes on and on towards the back of the property.

Notice the polygonal corner tower, irregular shaped roof, the patterns of the wood siding, corbelled chimneys and finials. The home is painted a deep, deep red with cream trim. It was once the home of J. Strickland. He was the first president of Texas Power and Light Co. and helped to develop interurban lines in the Dallas area.

I featured this home on my introductory page.

Favorite thing: This pretty two-story gold house with the white trim has a double door leading to a center hall. The elongated windows must let in a great deal of light.

The roofline above the porch almost seems as though it has sprouted wings! I think a porch always seems to say "Welcome"--wouldn't you just love biding time on a porch swing here? Notice the low black iron fence that fronts the property.

It was the home of Jack Beall, who served as a Texas State Senator and later as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Favorite thing: This grand dame is a Queen Anne two story which is framed by a porch on two levels. The fancy brackets on the porch and ornate trim truly highlight this home, which is painted a deep gold with white and green details.

It is situated on a corner lot and has mature landscaping. This is the former home of a prominent realtor/developer. He could obviously afford the corbelled chimmneys, finials and intricate scrollwork.

Oldham Street had a number of Victorian homes that had been lovingly restored. Other streets of note were College, Marvin and Kaufman.

Favorite thing: Upon departure, you will pass under a castle like wall. A king, queen and others will be singing your way out the door. Watch out for the loud canon, which blew my ear drums off, while right underneath it(located on top of the exit/entrance wall)..

Favorite thing: OH NO! They've spotted me!

Actually, they were in the process of looking to my left. A guy was plucked from the crowd and brought up on stage. He tried and failed at belly dancing. How terrifying in front of 100+ people!

Favorite thing: Waxahachie lays claim to being the most photographed motion picture set in Texas. Hollywood has made good use of the town in using different scenes of Waxahachie in several movies. Movies that may be remembered are 'Bonnie and Clyde', 'Tender Mercies', 'On Valentine's Day', and 'Places in the Heart' - these were all filmed in Waxahachie.

Favorite thing: Costumed performers dance around in a big circle, switching from partner to partner. They moved quite gracefully. Very interesting to watch.

Favorite thing: More store fronts. One selling 16th century clothing! You'll find plenty of period clothing shops throughout the faire.