Rogers Hotel, Waxahachie

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Sometimes it was a challenge finding Waxahachie's designated sites of importance. The Rogers Hotel was an easy target as it sat across from the Courthouse on Main street.

This four-storied red brick building of two parts embellished with Bedford stone has seen some interesting times.

Former guests include the Detroit Tigers (1917-18), the Cincinnati Reds (1919), the Chicago White Sox (1920) and Kansas City (1921). They resided in Waxahachie while being trained. If these walls could talk!

Emory W. Rogers originally built a log cabin on this spot in 1846. A hotel was established on the site by 1856 which burned. The present hotel was erected in 1911.

Hotel guests enjoyed a pleasant view of the town from a roof garden. Canvas cots were placed on the roofs on hot summer nights--a cooling breeze made sleeping more comfortable.

A hot well located several blocks away provided water which was piped into the basement and was referred to as the "natatorium". I imagine it was like taking the waters at the Spa.
(See photo #2 for a look at the Rogers Hotel lobby.)