Waxahachie in Ellis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bessie Coleman

(1892-1926)

Photographed by Larry D. Moore, June 30, 2020

1. Bessie Coleman Marker

Inscription. Born in Atlanta, Texas, pioneer aviatrix Bessie Coleman grew up and went to school in a Waxahachie neighborhood a few blocks north of this site. At age 23 she moved to Chicago and first expressed her desire to fly. Since there were no flight schools in this country that would teach African American women, Coleman learned to fly in France and obtained her international pilot's license in 1921. Upon her return to the United States, she was hailed as the first black woman pilot. Extremely popular, "Queen Bess", as she was known, performed as a barnstormer for integrated audiences at air shows and exhibitions around the country before her death in an air accident in Jacksonville, Florida.

Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12451.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 32° 23.004′ N, 96° 50.588′ W. Marker is in Waxahachie, Texas, in Ellis County. It can be reached from Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard (Business U.S. 287) east of Cliff 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rogers Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); 1889 Masonic Lodge Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hancock Building (approx.

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0.3 miles away); The History of Ellis County/Waxahachie (approx. 0.3 miles away); Strickland-Sawyer House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ellis County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); 106 West Main Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); Richard Ellis (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waxahachie.

Also see . . . Bessie Coleman - Wikipedia Article. (Submitted on July 3, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.)

Bessie Coleman circa 1921 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of National Air and Space Museum

2. Bessie Coleman circa 1921

Bessie Coleman Marker Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry D. Moore, June 30, 2020

3. Bessie Coleman Marker Area

Marker is to the left of the gazebo.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,020 times since then and 257 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.