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

The Fires of 1882

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, March 8, 2026

1. The Fires of 1882 Marker

Inscription. Over the years, fires had destroyed parts of Downtown, but May of 1882 saw two disastrous fires which changed the city forever. On the night of May 9, 1882, the downtown Siddons Hotel caught fire and burned 15 buildings to the East. On May 18, 1882, the North side of the square burned along with 25 homes to the North. Insurance companies were instructed to raise rates and if no "satisfactory" arrangements were made for firefighting, the companies would not write any new policies. On May 3, 1883, the City purchased a Silsby steam engine, 1000 feet of hose and two hose carts for $4,775. The first City funded fire department was chartered on July 4, 1883, under the name of the Salamander Fire Company No. 1. In 1893, the 28 men from the Davis Hook & Ladder Company joined the City fire department with a hand drawn hook & ladder truck. By 1898, the fire department had 70 volunteer firemen and four paid men with 26 triple fire hydrants scattered around town. In 1913, the City purchased a motorized six cylinder American LaFrance pumper truck. By 1922, the City established a full paid fire department (firemen worked

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

six 24 hour shifts and one day off). In 1925, the fire department became fully motorized with two American LaFrance pumper trucks and a hook & ladder truck. The City now had 147 fire hydrants.

North side of the square prior to the May 18, 1882 fire.
North side of the square after the May 18, 1882 fire.

Erected by Historic Waxahachie, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1882.

Location. 32° 23.164′ N, 96° 50.875′ W. Marker is in Waxahachie, Texas, in Ellis County. It is at the intersection of Rogers Street and West Main Street (Business U.S. 287), on the right when traveling north on Rogers Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 W Main St, 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

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, March 8, 2026

2. The Fires of 1882 Marker

The view of the marker along the street.

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: 106 West Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellis County Courthouse (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); Old Ellis County Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); The History of Ellis County/Waxahachie (within shouting distance of this marker); 114 South Rodgers Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Richard Ellis (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waxahachie.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 54 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on March 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2. submitted on March 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.