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Things to Do in Waxahachie

Reviews and photos of Waxahachie attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Waxahachie sightseeing.
Local Time 4:32 pm Saturday, May 17, 2008
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The Ellis County Courthouse
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on May 18, 2007
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  • The Ellis County Courthouse - Waxahachie
    The Ellis County
    Courthouse
    by VeronicaG
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    This imposing Romanesque style structure was completed in 1897 by architect James Riely Gordon. It's said to be "one of the most beautiful and unusal courthouses in Texas" (exerpted from the Ellis County Museum brochure). My favorite feature of the building is an impressive clock tower, whose mechanical parts faithfully continue to mark the time. It seems to sit loftily above the street, where it can be viewed from some distance away. It's now operated by electricity. Burnet County red and pink granite on the main structure and Pecos red sandstone trimming the windows and doorways came from a quarry at Barstow, Texas. Interesting faces are carved at four entrances into the courthouse, which have their root in local legend. Wanting to learn more about this legend, I checked the Ellis County website for more of the story. Supposedly one of the workmen who executed the carvings fell in love with the daughter of the proprietor of a local boarding house. Sadly, it was unrequited love. Out of sorrow then revenge he incorporated unflattering faces of his ladylove on the building. Pick up the Downtown Walking Tour brochure at the Ellis County Museum on S. College street--see tips.

  • Address: 101 West Main St., Waxahachie, Texas
  • Phone: 972-825-5000

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    Begin With A Walking Tour
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on May 18, 2007
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  • The Ellis County Museum - Waxahachie
    The Ellis County Museum
    by VeronicaG,
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    After hearing that my husband and I were interested in antiques, someone encouraged us to see Waxahachie. We drove there one weekend afternoon and wound our way about town, visiting antique shops and noting the 'highlights' mentioned in a walking tour map we picked up at the Ellis County Museum. A nice selection of brochures listing activities and historical sights were available there, also. The building is a former Masonic Lodge Hall (1889), which occupied the third floor of the building. As a reminder, masonic emblems sit at the top of the structure. Retail shops were located on the first floor and professional offices on the second. It's built in the High Victorian Italianate style. Once inside, a very pleasant man made sure we had all the information we needed. The museum showcased vintage signs, period clothing, photos and other memorabilia from early town history. Plan to take a few minutes to absorb the town's past, which is nicely presented.

  • Address: 201 South College, Waxahachie, Texas
  • Phone: 972-937-0681
  • Website: www.rootsweb.com/~txecm/

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    Waxahachie's Honored
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on March 12, 2007
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  • The Remembered of Ellis County - Waxahachie
    The Remembered of Ellis
    County
    by VeronicaG
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    As you wind your way around the courthouse, you'll see this statue marking the contributions of one man and the heroics of many. This distinguished gentleman is Richard Ellis, President of the Independence Convention of 1836, which marked the declaration of Texas in the quest for independence from Mexico at Washington on the Brazos. This county was named in honor of Ellis's efforts. The monument was erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy and dedicated on November 2, 1912. It is a memorial celebrating '...the dead and living of Ellis County, who wore the gray. Banners may be furled, but heroism lives forever--1861-1865." This solemn reminder of the fallen sits outside the Ellis County Courthouse, encircled by a lovely display of flowers.

  • Address: Main Street
  • Directions: Outside the Ellis County Courthouse

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    Singleton Plaza
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on May 18, 2007
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  • Landscaped waterway at Singleton Plaza - Waxahachie
    Landscaped waterway at
    Singleton Plaza
    by VeronicaG,
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    Next to the old Ellis County Jail is a nicely landscaped area set below street level along a waterway. This is Singleton Plaza,dedicated in 1974 to the memory of prominent business man, Colonel M. Singleton. In 1930, The Colonel became chairman of the board at Citizens National Bank, founded in 1868. His family obtained majority ownership of the institution and were involved in its leadership from that point on. The Colonel's children set up the Singleton Scholarship Trust in 1952 to honor their father. An additional scholarship established in memory of a great-granddaughter of the Colonel was set up in 1996. These scholarships enable students who can't afford college to receive a higher education. So far, 373 students have been awarded over $900,000 for their education. M..E. Singleton's legacy continues to benefit Waxahachie and the surrounding area.

  • Address: Rogers Street, Waxahachie, Tx

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    The Old Jail
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on May 21, 2007
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  • The imposing Ellis County Jail - Waxahachie
    The imposing Ellis County Jail
    by VeronicaG, 1 more photos
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    This structure with the two story bay window, turret and brick dentil molding wasn't built for pleasure, but for serious business. It's the Old Ellis County Jail (1888). This building held twenty 4x8 two prisoner cells. Solitary confinement and death cells were located in the basement. The sheriff's family residence was on the first floor. According to historical references, "this jail held one of the few rotary systems in the entire United States". Escape was almost impossible! Before the rotary system blood hounds patrolled the yard as a deterrent to escape. There are several cells still remaining made of hand hewn sandstone blocks. A dungeon area contains the remnants of hand and foot manacles. There's not doubt that incarceration was a grim situation in those days. A new jail was built in 1929. This building is currently being used as attorney offices.

  • Address: 200 North Rogers St., Waxahachie, Tx.

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    The Rogers Hotel
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on May 18, 2007
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  • The Rogers Hotel (1912) - Waxahachie
    The Rogers Hotel (1912)
    by VeronicaG, 1 more photos
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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.)

  • Address: 100 East Main St., Waxahachie, Tx
  • Phone: 972-938-3688; 1-800-556-4192

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    The Old Spalding Building
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on May 18, 2007
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  • Waxahachie Things To Do
    by VeronicaG, 1 more photos
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    The guide noted the name "Spalding" on the front steps of this building. Yes, there it was spelled out in green tiles on a white background edged in a classic Greek border. Hmm, interesting! This was the name of the family who owned these two attached buildings (1895). The red structure has a brick cornice and frieze accenting it, while the green painted building is stuccoed. One side was used as a mortuary and the other as a furniture business. The guide points out that "it was logical to combine businesses, since the local cabinetmaker/furniture dealer also made coffins and was one of the few people in town who had a wagon large enough to carry them."

  • Address: 105-107 n. Rogers,Waxahachie, Tx

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    Old Citizens National Bank
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on May 18, 2007
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  • The Old Citizens National Bank Building - Waxahachie
    The Old Citizens National
    Bank Building
    by VeronicaG,
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    We soaked up the mild temperatures and sunshine as we continued with the official walking tour of Waxahachie. It gave some needed direction to our wandering! As we plodded up the sidewalk, this massive Romanesque building with the carved stone capitals appeared. It's the old Citizens National Bank (1895). This style is characterized by sturdy arches and square towers, but the tower to this building was removed years ago. A balcony to the side of the building has a carved lion bas relief, which was greatly in need of repair. This building looks like the perfect design for a bank--it has an appearance of strength and durability.

  • Address: 200 West Main St., Waxahachie, Tx

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    The City Hall
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on March 12, 2007
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  • Waxahachie Things To Do
    by VeronicaG
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    With town map in hand we crossed off sites of importance one by one. This is the Old Federal building, built in 1914. Although its original purpose was to house federal offices and the Post Office, it is now the City Hall. It certainly has a stately look to it! Neoclassical characteristics, such as the tall, sturdy columns of the type used in Greek architecture, linteled door and window openings, pilasters in low relief and profile of the hipped roof are evident in this structure. Original bronze lamp posts accent the entryway.

  • Address: 410 S. Rogers St. , Waxahachie, Tx

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    1905 Citizens National Bank
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  • Updated By VeronicaG on March 12, 2007
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  • Waxahachie Things To Do
    by VeronicaG
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    Waxahachie boasts two old Citizens National Bank buildings--this being the later one constructed in 1905 and comprised of white sandstone. Look at the nicely detailed fanlight over the entrance. Also, to the left of the photo, you'll see an awning supported by iron scrollwork. Below the top story of windows, there runs a Greek frieze and egg and dart cornice molding. I think this is an impressive looking building. Wouldn't you feel confident stashing your money here? It's designed in the Neoclassic style.

  • Address: 114 S. Rogers, Waxahachie, Tx.

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