Waxahachie in Ellis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
1918 Waxahachie High School
Photographed by James Hulse, December 14, 2022
1. 1918 Waxahachie High School Marker
Inscription.
1918 Waxahachie High School. . Following the Civil War, the town of Waxahachie grew as the seat of county government and a hub along the Texas Cotton Belt. In 1870-71, Waxahachie became an educational center when Marvin College was established on land donated by town founder Emory W. Rogers (1813-1874). The school served area students from primary school through college and was supported by the Methodist church. Over time, the school was sold to the city of Waxahachie for use as a public school. The three college buildings became known as the Waxahachie Public School. By the late 1890s, overcrowding led to construction of a new three-story building, known as Park Public School, facing College Street and adjoined to one of the existing buildings. , Waxahachie continued to grow and, in 1916, a bond passed to build a new school on 2nd Street at Gibson. Designed by architects C.H. Page and Bros., Waxahachie High School featured two floors with a basement, restrooms, classrooms, science labs and a large study hall space for 750 students. The new school opened in the fall of 1918 but almost immediately closed for several weeks due to an influenza outbreak. Classes resumed in November 1918., Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the school campus expanded and added facilities, including Indian Park (1923), Indian Field (1934), the National Youth Administration (NYA) Building (1938) which served as a training shop and classroom, gymnasium (1938), and the high school band hall (1938). From 1918 until 1970, when a new high school opened, Waxahachie High School served the community and educated students in the area.
Following the Civil War, the town of Waxahachie grew as the seat of county government and a hub along the Texas Cotton Belt. In 1870-71, Waxahachie became an educational center when Marvin College was established on land donated by town founder Emory W. Rogers (1813-1874). The school served area students from primary school through college and was supported by the Methodist church. Over time, the school was sold to the city of Waxahachie for use as a public school. The three college buildings became known as the Waxahachie Public School. By the late 1890s, overcrowding led to construction of a new three-story building, known as Park Public School, facing College Street and adjoined to one of the existing buildings.
Waxahachie continued to grow and, in 1916, a bond passed to build a new school on 2nd Street at Gibson. Designed by architects C.H. Page & Bros., Waxahachie High School featured two floors with a basement, restrooms, classrooms, science labs and a large study hall space for 750 students. The new school opened in the fall of 1918 but almost immediately closed for several weeks due to an influenza outbreak. Classes resumed in November 1918.
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the school campus expanded and added facilities, including Indian Park (1923), Indian Field (1934), the National Youth Administration (NYA) Building (1938) which served as a training shop and classroom, gymnasium (1938), and the high school band hall (1938). From 1918 until 1970, when a new high school opened, Waxahachie High School served the community and educated students in the area.
Erected 2018 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20083.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1918.
Location. 32° 23.774′ N, 96° 50.945′ W.
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Marker is in Waxahachie, Texas, in Ellis County. It is at the intersection of West 2nd Street and North Gibson Street, on the right when traveling west on West 2nd Street. The marker is located in front of the old high school building near the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 West 2nd Street, 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.
3. The view of the 1918 Waxahachie High School and Marker from across the street
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,539 times since then and 214 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 20, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
