Waxahachie in Ellis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Ellis County Courthouse
The cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1895, and the courthouse completed in 1897 with each of its main entrances purposely oriented toward true North, South, East and West compass points. Faces which adorn the courthouse were sculpted by European stonemasons.
The "Richardsonian Romanesque" architectural style used by Gordon to design this building was created by Bostonian Henry Hobson Richardson in the 1870s and popularized in Texas by Gordon. For this structure Gordon deviated from previous Texas courthouses he had designed in the "Richardsonian Romanesque" style by displaying open, two-story arcaded and colonnaded porticos on the exterior of the building and placing entrances at inside angles. Red and gray granite from Central Texas and red sandstone from the Pecos River in West Texas were used to build this courthouse. Gordon's Ellis County courthouse design set a new standard for other public buildings erected in Texas.
Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission . (Marker Number 7092.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1895.
Location. 32° 23.138′ N, 96° 50.861′ W. Marker is in Waxahachie, Texas, in Ellis County. Marker is on West Main Street (Business U.S. 287) east of South Rogers Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waxahachie TX 75165, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 106 West Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellis County Confederate War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Letter From The Alamo (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Ellis (within shouting distance of this marker); The History of Ellis County/Waxahachie (within shouting distance of this marker); Rogers Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); 114 South Rodgers Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 1889 Masonic Lodge Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waxahachie.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 477 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. 3. submitted on June 27, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. 4. submitted on May 1, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.