Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Old Texas Cotton Palace

Photographed By James Hulse, August 4, 2022

1. Site of Old Texas Cotton Palace Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1894, when Waco was cotton capital of the south. After first exposition to mark end of cotton season, original palace burned, was rebuilt, 1909.

Exposition each November had grand royal coronation, nobility came from Texas cities, other states and foreign countries.

Featured farm crops, animals, a "warpath" of sideshows, parades, football games, auto shows, horse races and other attractions.

The 10,000-capacity coliseum was the setting for grand opera concerts, coronation balls, shows from broadway, debutante balls.

After 1930, property was sold.

Erected 1966 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4863.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 31° 32.748′ N, 97° 8.049′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker is at the intersection of Clay Avenue and South 13th Street, on the left when traveling west on Clay Avenue. The marker is located in the central section of the Cotton Palace Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1513 Clay Avenue, Waco TX 76706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Evangelia Settlement (about 800 feet away,

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measured in a direct line); Austin Avenue Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Austin Avenue United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Waco (approx. half a mile away); The Old Church (approx. half a mile away); St. Mary's Church of the Assumption (approx. half a mile away); Silos Baking Co. (approx. 0.6 miles away); Columbus Avenue Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.

Also see . . . The Texas Cotton Palace. Waco History

The first exposition of the Texas Cotton Palace was held in November of 1894. The activities lasted a month, and it seemed that the Cotton Palace would become a permanent yearly fixture in Waco’s social calendar. Unfortunately, tragedy soon struck. In January of 1895, just a few months after the first celebration, a terrible fire damaged the Cotton Palace. The exhibition hall at Padgitt Park burned down, and the rest of the grounds were left badly damaged. The Texas Cotton Palace would not see further festivities for fifteen years.
Photographed By James Hulse, August 4, 2022

2. The view of the Cotton Palace Park from across the street
The marker is located behind the bench in the park.
Source: Jim Stingley

(Submitted on August 10, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Public Domain - Wikipedia, circa 1914

3. Postcard of the Texas Cotton Palace

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.