On Farm to Market Road 1183 at Interurban Road, on the right when traveling west on Highway 1183.
Settlement of this area began as early as 1848. The town of Alma was established in 1871, when the Houston and Texas Central Railroad was built through Ellis County. C.C. Hemming deeded part of his property for the railroad right-of-way and a town . . . — — Map (db m164888) HM
On Giles Street at Kirby Street, on the right when traveling east on Giles Street.
Originally known as Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, this congregation was organized on July 6, 1879, by elders Josiah Leake and S.C. Talley and 16 charter members: J.C., Isabel, and Sarah Martin; W.L. Pierce; J.P. and M.F. Giles, William Hendricks; William . . . — — Map (db m212816) HM
Bristol Cemetery began with a small plot of
land donated by Mr. James Burk in 1879 serving the
needs of the community pioneers.
There was no organized upkeep of the grounds
until 1912 when a group known as Bristol Cemetery
Ladies began . . . — — Map (db m244682) HM
On Church Street at Union Hill Road on Church Street.
The community's first school
was housed in a multi-purpose
building erected here
in 1870.
The Bristol School District was
established in 1877. Youth from
throughout the area attended
Bristol schoolhouses built in 1886
and 1913. A new . . . — — Map (db m244679) HM
On South Clay Street at West Lampasas Street, on the left when traveling south on South Clay Street.
William R. and Edeline House bought the land on which Burnam Square and Cemetery were located in 1856 for the price of a slave named John. In 1861, after her husband died, Edeline House had the 25-block town laid out and donated one acre for a . . . — — Map (db m164887) HM
On West Brown Street at South Dallas Street, on the left when traveling west on West Brown Street.
Designed by prominent local architect Hix McCanless, this Classical Revival structure was built in 1915 to house city offices and the Ennis police and fire departments. A native of Tennessee, McCanless (1868-1938) was the leading designer and . . . — — Map (db m164886) HM
On Ennis Avenue at Dallas Street, on the right when traveling west on Ennis Avenue.
This structure was built in 1883 to house the Ennis National Bank, which was established the same year, with businessman Joseph Baldridge as its first president. Until 1917, when a new facility was built, the bank occupied the first floor, while . . . — — Map (db m164759) HM
On West Knox Street at Glasscock Street on West Knox Street.
Born in Kentucky, February 15, 1795 • Came to Texas in 1822 with Austin's first colony • Died July 2, 1874 His wife Elizabeth Smith Rankin Born January 30, 1802 Died June 1, 1882 — — Map (db m164753) HM
On North Clay Street at Park Street, on the right when traveling south on North Clay Street.
Mr. Ivan Goodwin was born and raised in Ennis, TX. He went on to enlist and serve honorably in the United States Army Air Corps from 1946-1949, before graduating from North Texas State College in 1952. He then returned to serve his community . . . — — Map (db m164834) HM
On West Ennis Avenue (Business U.S. 287) at South Gaines Street, on the left when traveling west on West Ennis Avenue.
Born on an Ellis County farm, Jack Lummus attended school at Alma and Ennis, and Baylor University on an athletics scholarship. He played minor league baseball in Texas and football for the New York Giants. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1942 and . . . — — Map (db m164756) HM
On Northwest Main Street at West Knox Street, on the right when traveling north on Northwest Main Street.
Born in Brenham, Katie Litty Daffan was a well-known author, educator, journalist, and club-woman. She began her career as a teacher and was an officer of the Texas State Historical Assoc. She wrote several books, including a Texas history . . . — — Map (db m164865) HM
On West Knox Street at North Dallas Street, on the left when traveling west on West Knox Street.
LaJuan Schlegel, a self-taught local artist, credits the greatest artist of all, The Heavenly Father, for her talent. Her paintings bring life to the splendor and majesty of nature and are deliberately created to evoke a sense of connection . . . — — Map (db m164841) HM
On West Knox Street at North Dallas Street, on the left when traveling west on West Knox Street.
Minnie McDowal grew up in Ennis, where she graduated from High School and married her sweetheart Robert T. McDowal. They had two beloved children, Elizabeth Ann and Robert T., III.
In the late 1940's, Minnie began working at the Plaza Theatre . . . — — Map (db m164839) HM
On West Denton Street at North Sherman Street, on the right when traveling west on West Denton Street.
Built in 1905 for Malinda (Anderson) and Hardin T. Moore, this Neoclassical Revival house is a significant part of Ennis' architectural history. The Moores married in 1892, after both Malinda and Hardin had been widowed in previous marriages. They . . . — — Map (db m164757) HM
W.H. Parsons deeded the original ten acres at this site in 1875 for use as a cemetery. The burial ground was named "Myrtle" for a child whose single grave was included in the tract of land. Also buried here is Frederick H. Ranklin (1795-1874), a . . . — — Map (db m164754) HM
On North Clay Street, 0.1 miles north of Park Street, on the right when traveling north.
Constructed in 1891, this dam created a body of water known variously as the City Reservoir, Ennis Railroad Lake, and Old City Lake. It was built in answer to a proposal by the Houston and Texas Central Railroad to move its divisional headquarters . . . — — Map (db m164751) HM
On Northwest Main Street at West Knox Street, on the right when traveling north on Northwest Main Street.
In memory of employees of The Dallas Division who gave their lives for their country in World War II
Named in honor of Sgt. W.T. Pierce Jr. First to die in combat
Side panel 1 R.F. Rickard Glynn Massey Fred Reyther Guy Youngblood . . . — — Map (db m164843) WM
On Northwest Main Street at West Knox Street, on the right when traveling north on Northwest Main Street.
The Houston and Texas Central Railroad built tracks through Corsicana en route to Dallas in 1871. In 1872 the town of Ennis was platted along this line on 647 acres selected by Captain W.G. Veale. The town was named for railroad official Colonel . . . — — Map (db m164863) HM
On Northeast Main Street at East Ennis Avenue (Business Highway 287), on the left when traveling north on Northeast Main Street.
In 1887 the City of Ennis was established at this site, the northern terminus of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad (later part of the Southern Pacific Railroad). The city is named after early railroad official Cornelius Ennis. Expansion by . . . — — Map (db m164866) HM
On U.S. 287 east of Boyce Road, on the right when traveling south.
Georgia native Thomas C. Neel married Willia E. Latimer in 1848. The couple moved their family to Texas in 1854 and to Ellis County in 1855. They established a cotton and wheat plantation near what would become Ennis. Neel called his wife "Will" and . . . — — Map (db m152969) HM
On Northwest Main Street (Farm to Market Road 1183) at East Ennis Avenue (Business U.S. 287), on the right when traveling north on Northwest Main Street.
Founded 1872 as market town on Houston & Texas Central Railway; Named for an H. & T.C. official, Cornelius Ennis (1813-1899). Cumberland Presbyterian built first church, 1872; First school session opened 1873. Chezchslovaks settled here 1874, . . . — — Map (db m164758) HM
On West Ennis Avenue (Business U.S. 287) at Hall Street, on the left when traveling west on West Ennis Avenue.
Named for African Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Alexander W. Wayman, this congregation was organized in 1880 by area residents, many of whom moved here from the community of Telico. Dr. C.A. Harris, a physician, served as pastor in the early . . . — — Map (db m164755) HM
On West Sixth Street at Town Plaza, on the right when traveling west on West Sixth Street.
Site was occupied in 1851 by the Ephraim Andrews family and their in-laws, the McKnights, settling a purchased land grant. The Duffs, Greens, McDaniels, and Orrs also pioneered here. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was founded in 1858. The . . . — — Map (db m164742) HM
On North Church Street at West Fourth Street, on the right when traveling south on North Church Street.
Organized by 13 charter members in 1858, this congregation moved from its original site near Bluff Springs (2 miles west) to Ferris in 1875. A church building, erected here in 1890, was razed when this sanctuary was built in 1925-26. Its Classical . . . — — Map (db m164741) HM
On Redbud Street at North Freeway Service Road (Frontage Interstate 45 Frontage Road), on the left when traveling east on Redbud Street.
The town of Ferris was laid out by the Houston & Texas Central Railway in 1874. In that year, the Reverend John S. Davis and the Reverend George W. Owens became the first of a series of circuit-riding ministers to serve Ferris, establishing a . . . — — Map (db m164743) HM
On Mosely Street (U.S. 77) 0.3 miles south of Lumkins Road, on the right when traveling south.
Named in honor of
Thomas Jefferson Chambers
(1802-1865)
to whom the first land grant within
present Ellis County was made in 1834
by the Mexican government
Also known as Howe's Settlement
in honor of William R. Howe,
first settler in . . . — — Map (db m117286) HM
On West Main Street (State Highway 34) at Couch Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street.
3 miles northeast
from here was buried
General Edward
H. Tarrant
Veteran of the War of 1812, member
of the Texas Congress and a
courageous Indian fighter • Born
in North Carolina, 1796 • Died in
Parker County, Texas, August . . . — — Map (db m117285) HM
On Williams Street at Harris Street, on the right when traveling west on Williams Street.
Frustrated by poor infrastructure, residents of an African American community in Italy called "The Hill" rallied to get a hearing with the city council in the mid-twentieth century. A group of African American men met in a small building on Poplar . . . — — Map (db m212061) HM
On Couch Street north of North Ward Street, on the left when traveling north.
A soldier in the Army of Texas
in 1836 • Born in Tennessee, Feb-
ruary 2, 1804; died October 15, 1891
His wife
Mary Hardeman
Born in Tennessee, February
12, 1812 • Died February 19, 1857 — — Map (db m117284) HM
On Bethel Road at Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling north on Bethel Road.
In 1852 N.P. Sims (1806-1902) gave 10 acres of land at High Springs (4 mi. W) for a church and burial ground to trustees of Bethel Methodist Church. Several graves remain there. G.H. Cunningham (1828-1916) and P.C. Sims (1819-1903) gave church . . . — — Map (db m191315) HM
On Greathouse Road at Ridge Creek Road, on the right when traveling west on Greathouse Road.
Greathouse Community, Church, and Cemetery Archibald and Mary Greathouse, who settled in this area in 1848, gave their name to a creek and rural community that grew up here. The church, school, and cemetery that formed the focal point of community . . . — — Map (db m191314) HM
On Farm to Market Road 157 north of Phillips Street, on the right when traveling north.
The community of Maypearl was established on the International and Great Northern Railroad line in 1903. The 1907 death of landowner William P. Wilemon and subsequent burial on his farm led Maypearl citizens to discuss the establishment of a . . . — — Map (db m191422) HM
On Smith Road at Ozro Road, on the left when traveling south on Smith Road.
In 1858 J.P. Gilmore and Richard D. Graves gave land for Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal Church, south, and for this burial ground. The earliest marked graves date from 1870. J.H.L. Jackson donated additional land in 1895. At that time, the . . . — — Map (db m191349) HM
On George Hopper Road at South 9th Street, on the right when traveling west on George Hopper Road.
This Church was erected in 1966 in the NW corner of the B.F. Hawkins Survey. (Hawkins, among the original settlers in the area, became the first Clerk of Ellis County Courts and his father, William Alden Hawkins, who settled at Hawkins Spring, was . . . — — Map (db m194941) HM
On George Hopper Road at South 9th Street, on the right when traveling west on George Hopper Road.
Methodist worship services in this area date to the late 1840s. Meeting in homes, the people were served by circuit riding ministers from Waxahachie. A schoolhouse built for the pioneer community of Hawkins was also used as a church. Beginning in . . . — — Map (db m194940) HM
On South 9th Street (County Highway 663) at West Avenue I, on the left when traveling south on South 9th Street.
What would later become Midlothian began as part of the Peters Colony, which brought settlers to Texas from 1841 to 1848. W.A. and Anna Hawkins and their extended family arrived in 1848, in time to receive acreage for their new home. Their son . . . — — Map (db m194935) HM
On West Main Street (Business U.S. 287) at South 4th Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street.
In 1911, two congregations merged to form Midlothian Presbyterian Church. One originally organized in 1883 under pastor D.G. Malloy and was part of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America (PCUSA). The other organized in 1890 under . . . — — Map (db m194934) HM
On West Avenue H at South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east on West Avenue H.
Early education in the area included an 1850 one-room log cabin in the Hawkins Settlement, serving as a school and church. Its location was where South 14th Street in Midlothian is now. The Hawkins Settlement was later named Lebanon. A new school . . . — — Map (db m194922) HM
Near Shiloh Road, 0.3 miles west of Ovilla Road, on the left when traveling west.
Burials in this cemetery began with
Peters Colony pioneers who founded
Ovilla in 1844. The earliest marked
grave is that of Mary C. Patton, wife
of elder James E. Patton, who died on
August 14, 1851. The Pattons were
among the original . . . — — Map (db m244959) HM
On West Avenue F at North 2nd Street on West Avenue F.
Founded in 1883 by W.W. Works (1856-1895), Polytechnic Institute was a private, coeducational school. A respected educator and native of this area, Works left here in 1888 to attend the University of Texas. When he returned in 1892, local . . . — — Map (db m194924) HM
On St. Paul Road, 0.1 miles west of U.S. 287, on the left when traveling west.
In 1881 William Gardner deeded this site to the Mountain Creek School Community. This tract, which contained graves dating from 1875, remained in use as a public cemetery, and adjoining land was set aside for a school. After W.S. Fife and his wife, . . . — — Map (db m194915) HM
On West Main Street at North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street.
William L. Hawkins, the son of area pioneer settlers, and his wife Emma (Barker) purchased land and a house here in 1892. They removed the original structure in 1901 and hired local wood artisan Will Price to build this house. Made of imported . . . — — Map (db m194923) HM
On East Crossmain at Pecan Street, on the left when traveling east on East Crossmain.
Chartered in 1855 with eleven members, this congregation was organized at the home of Dr. J.M. Higgins. The first pastor was the Rev. J.M. Perry (1817-1905), a native of Alabama. A chapel on College Street, built in 1856, served the fellowship until . . . — — Map (db m208870) HM
Near Water Street, 0.2 miles east of North Main Street (U.S. 77), on the left when traveling east.
Served in the Army of Texas in
1836 • Born in Alabama, September
10, 1810 • Died January 11, 1885
His wife
Isabella Weir
McDaniel
Born in Alabama, March
8, 1818 • Died May 4, 1897 — — Map (db m117283) HM
On East Water Street west of Church Street, on the right when traveling west.
W.R. Hudson and J.M. Higgins, early pioneers in this area, came from Cherokee County in East Texas to settle here in 1853. They laid off a townsite in 1854 and named it Milford. The town developed steadily, and soon boasted homes, a school, post . . . — — Map (db m183587) HM
On South Main Street north of Dickson Street, on the left when traveling north.
Organized in June 1855 with 16 members, as one of 4 Presbyterian churches within a radius of 500 miles. Early, horseback-traveling pastors organized and served 3 churches in outlying areas. Congregation built houses of worship in 1860, 1896, 1921. . . . — — Map (db m184175) HM
On Farm to Market Road 308 at Bois D Arc, on the left when traveling south on Highway 308.
This church was organized by the Rev. Joshua Goins, Sr., in 1883. Services began in the home of Pleasant Zollicoffer and moved to the Odd Fellows' Hall before this church structure was erected in 1907. This building exhibits exceptional . . . — — Map (db m208868) HM
Near Water Street, 0.2 miles east of North Main Street (U.S. 77), on the left when traveling east.
Soldier in the Texas Army in
1836 • Born in Tennessee June
17, 1808 • Died November 24, 1880
His wife
Stacy Choate Jordan
Born in Tennessee, October 15,
1816 • Died January 27, 1884 — — Map (db m117282) HM
On Nash-Howard Road at Farm to Market Road 55, on the left when traveling east on Nash-Howard Road.
In 1873 pioneer settler Thomas Alexander Williams (1827-1900) brought his family to this area which was known as Garden Valley. Soon after his arrival he directed the establishment of a school for the community. Classes were conducted at this site, . . . — — Map (db m212813) HM
On Nash-Howard Road at Farm to Market Road 55, on the left when traveling east on Nash-Howard Road.
A Civil War veteran who served in the Confederate Cavalry brought his family from Greene County, Alabama, and settled on this spot in 1874. He gave this acre of his farm as the building site for the first Garden Valley school, erected about 1875. A . . . — — Map (db m212814) HM
On North Oak Branch Road east of Oak Branch Trail, on the left when traveling east.
In 1875 area pioneer William M. Claunch (1815-1888) donated twenty acres of his ranch land for a Methodist Church, church campground, and cemetery. The oldest grave in the burial ground is that of Susaner Bynum, the one-year-old daughter of M.C. . . . — — Map (db m191319) HM
On Ovilla Road just north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
Area residents organized a Baptist
church in September 1903. The next
year, the community built a wooden
tabernacle on Red Oak Creek for use by
local churches, including the Baptist
congregation, which participated in
regular services and . . . — — Map (db m244904) HM
On Main Street just west of Ovilla Road, on the left when traveling west.
Site of the Ovilla Cotton Gin, Established in 1885.
It was the focal point of Ovilla industry as the community
farmed cotton as their primary crop. The gin closed in 1966.
The only remaining structure from the gin is the scale,
which still . . . — — Map (db m244886) HM
On Ovilla Road (Road 664) at Main Street, on the right when traveling south on Ovilla Road.
One of the oldest communities in Ellis County, Ovilla began as a fortified settlement built in 1844 on upper Red Oak Creek. Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church was founded in 1847 and the town's first schoolhouse was erected in 1849. By the turn . . . — — Map (db m182909) HM
On Red Oak Creek Drive at Clinton Lane, on the right when traveling south on Red Oak Creek Drive.
The Ovilla community was founded by members of the Peters Colony in 1844. Benjamin and Erixna Caroline McFarlin were among the early members of the thriving farm community. On November 17, 1886, they deeded four acres to the new Ovilla Methodist . . . — — Map (db m182907) HM
On Ovilla Road at Shiloh Road, on the left when traveling north on Ovilla Road.
The first organized church in Ellis County, the Shiloh
Cumberland Presbyterian Congregation was chartered
with twenty members on July 25, 1847, two years
before the formation of the county. The church was
begun under the leadership of the . . . — — Map (db m244957) HM
On South Sherman Street at West Cooper Street, on the right when traveling south on South Sherman Street.
The Rev. T.H. Durham preached at the organizational meeting of this Missionary Baptist Church on Nov. 17 1873. Charter members included Lucinda Crawford, Susan and John Nixon, and Elizabeth and James Perkins. Worship services were originally held . . . — — Map (db m164745) HM
On Paris Street at Stacks Street, on the left when traveling west on Paris Street.
In 1853 disciples in the area around Rockett and Brushy Creek (8 miles northwest) established a church called "Liberty-Sylvania". Members of the congregation were instrumental in the formation of new churches in Corinth, Ferris, Palmer and . . . — — Map (db m164744) HM
On Jefferson Street, 0.2 miles west of Sherman Street, on the right when traveling west.
Originally a four-room house
with south and east porches, this
home was built about 1870 by
carpenter and blacksmith D.H.
Harkey. Dr. J.M. Johnson bought the
property in 1896 and added the
second story and the colonial
revival style . . . — — Map (db m244676) HM
On Old Highway 287 at U.S. 287, on the right when traveling south on Old Highway 287.
John I. Richardson (1839-1922), county surveyor, Mason, and veteran of the 12th Texas Confederate Cavalry, married Ann Elizabeth Reagor (1849-1923) in 1865. Both were descendants of the family for which Reagor Springs was named. A cousin, Robert S. . . . — — Map (db m152970) HM
On U.S. 77, 0.3 miles south of South Central Boulevard (State Highway 342), on the right when traveling south.
Created December 20, 1849
from Navarro County
Organized August 5, 1850
Named in honor of
Richard Ellis, 1781-1846
a Virginian by birth and education
Jurist and statesman of Alabama
1813-1825
Moved to Texas in 1825
President . . . — — Map (db m152372) HM
On South Central Boulevard (State Highway 342) north of Allen Road, on the left when traveling north.
Originally known as the Kemble Cemetery, this graveyard began as a family burial ground. Abraham Kemble acquired the land on which the cemetery is located about 1860. He and his wife Mary were both buried here in 1867. In 1892 Kemble descendants . . . — — Map (db m152247) HM
On Bells Chapel Road, 0.3 miles east of Dawn Drive, on the right when traveling east.
Founded 1875. Site for church and cemetery was given on Dec. 27, 1875, by local landowners John and Elizabeth Gibbons. This tract and some later purchases were deeded to the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Church and cemetery were named in . . . — — Map (db m93219) HM
On Bells Chapel Road, 0.2 miles north of Farm to Market Road 813, on the right when traveling north.
Robert Russell Graves (1814-1897) came from Alabama to Texas in 1838 with his wife Esther (Hinkle) Graves (1815-1865), their children, and her father Joseph Hinkle (1771-1859). They came to Ellis County in 1857 and settled on 510 acres purchased . . . — — Map (db m139120) HM
On South College Street at East Franklin Street, on the right when traveling north on South College Street.
A tin cornice decorated with Masonic emblems tops this three-story brick building constructed in 1889 for Waxahachie Lodge No. 90, A.F.& A.M. The first floor was rented to retail stores, the second occupied by professional offices, and the third . . . — — Map (db m152271) HM
On West 2nd Street at North Gibson Street, on the right when traveling west on West 2nd Street.
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 . . . — — Map (db m212659) HM
Near Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard (Business U.S. 287) east of Cliff Street, on the right when traveling east.
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 . . . — — Map (db m152250) HM
In 1853 Bethel Church was begun under a brush arbor at High Springs. After meeting in a log school building at Greathouse, services were moved in 1860 to a schoolhouse at Bethel on Baker's Branch. The first meetinghouse, built south of the . . . — — Map (db m191316) HM
On North College Street, 0.2 miles north of Water Street, on the left when traveling north.
The Calaboose was built as a local lockup for crimes under the jurisdiction of the City of Waxahachie.
This Calaboose was at least the third one in Waxahachie. There is mention of a Calaboose as early as 1876 in the Waxahachie City Council . . . — — Map (db m212701) HM
On North College Street at Oldham Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North College Street.
Central Presbyterian Church began as a Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1853, with twelve charter members led by the Rev. Daniel G. Molloy. The congregation met in a building on land donated by William Irwin until 1862, when it began sharing space . . . — — Map (db m212665) HM
On West Main Street at Oscar Street, on the right when traveling south on West Main Street.
A fine example of Queen Anne Revival architecture, this house has among its many rooms two hexagons, two octagons. It was built in 1890-91 by Judge Oscar E. Dunlap (1849-1925), a banker, political leader, chairman of Texas Council of Defense in . . . — — Map (db m170519) HM
On South Rodgers Street at West Main Street, on the left when traveling south on South Rodgers Street.
In honor of the dead and living of Ellis County, who wore the gray. Banners may be furled but heroism lives forever.
1861 - 1865 — — Map (db m212782) WM
On West Main Street (Business U.S. 287) east of South Rogers Street, on the right when traveling east.
Ellis County's first courthouse was made of cedar logs and built here in 1850. A second courthouse was built on this square in 1853 and a third in 1874. In 1894 Virginia native and San Antonio architect James Riely Gordon was commissioned to design . . . — — Map (db m151374) HM
On West Jefferson Street at South Elm Street (U.S. 77), on the left when traveling west on West Jefferson Street.
Dallas architect Bertram C. Hill designed this building, erected in 1925-26 on land deeded by Quincy Davis Getzendaner for a public park and a "Rest Room" for rural women who came to town with their families on market days. Intended in part as a . . . — — Map (db m212786) HM
On U.S. 287 Frontage Road at Park Place Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 287.
Organized in 1861 by twelve citizens meeting in the Methodist Church, the Baptist congregation elected W.H. Stokes as its first pastor. The group met in several locations until their first church building was completed in 1882. Several successive . . . — — Map (db m194944) HM
On West Main Street (Business U.S. 287) west of South Monroe Street, on the left when traveling west.
The Rev. J. A. Smiley organized the First Presbyterian Church in 1871 with 16 charter members. The first church building was erected in 1876 and replaced by this structure in 1916-17. After this congregation merged with another church in 1979, the . . . — — Map (db m151236) HM
On West Marvin Avenue at Bryson Street, on the left when traveling west on West Marvin Avenue.
In the spring of 1849, the Rev. Falacius Reynolds and nine charter members met in the cabin of E.W. and Nancy Rogers in the new settlement of Waxahachie and established a Methodist society. The congregation erected its first house of worship in . . . — — Map (db m212654) HM
On South Grand Parkway south of Commodore Road, on the left when traveling south.
Established in 1889, Getzendaner Memorial Park was originally named West End Park as part of Waxahachie’s West End addition. By the early 20th century, it became Chautauqua Park, named for the annual retreat held on its grounds through 1930. . . . — — Map (db m151999) HM
On South College Street north of East Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north.
Businessman William F. Lewis and Ellis County Judge M.B. Templeton built this Victorian commercial structure in 1890. Decorative brickwork and cast iron columns highlight the facade. William Pitt Hancock (1872-1955), a well-known defense attorney, . . . — — Map (db m152275) HM
Near South Hawkins Street south of Railroad Street, on the left when traveling south.
"Baseball happens to be my hobby"
"I wouldn't trade hobbies with any man"
Henry Curry, from 1927-1961, became the catalyst for baseball activity in Waxahachie and Ellis County. He expended his time, energy, expertise and money for baseball . . . — — Map (db m152115) HM
On West Main Street (Business U.S. 287) west of South Monroe Street, on the left when traveling west.
A native Texan, Dixon Gillespie Thompson received his medical degree from Louisville Medical School in Kentucky and trained at several hospitals in the east. He married Rufa Jones in 1882 and built this residence for his family in 1883 - 84. In . . . — — Map (db m151193) HM
Built 1855 by Jefferson Madison Dunaway for his bride, Sarah Ann Brack. Stone for chimneys came from the nearby creek banks. Cypress wood was used in structure. Two later generations of the family have lived here: The households of Jefferson . . . — — Map (db m191317) HM
On Rogers Street at Franklin Street on Rogers Street.
Commandancy of the Alamo,
Bexar, Feby. 24th, 1836-
To the people of Texas & all Americans in the world--
Fellow citizens and compatriots
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans and Santa Anna - I have sustained a . . . — — Map (db m244716) HM WM
On South Rogers Street north of South College Street, on the right when traveling south.
The Missouri Kansas & Texas Railroad
of Texas was incorporated on Dec. 31, 1891.
Track was laid to Waxahachie in 1889 under
the name of the Dallas & Waco Railway Company.
Passenger service was discontinued in 1964.
The line remained in . . . — — Map (db m152303) HM
Henry McKinney (1863-1936) was born in Kemp, Kaufman County and, at the age of 20, enlisted in Company C of the Frontier Battalion of the Texas Rangers. After one year, McKinney was discharged and returned to Kemp. He married Viola Dorsey . . . — — Map (db m191318) HM
On West Main Street (Business U.S. 287) east of North Hawkins Street, on the right when traveling east.
A pioneer among privately-endowed Texas libraries. Situated in Getzendaner Park, which had been donated to the city on Dec. 31, 1895, by Capt. W.H. Getzendaner (1834-1909), an attorney, Confederate veteran, banker, and president of the Dallas & Waco . . . — — Map (db m151256) HM
On Wyatt Street at East Parks Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Wyatt Street.
Oak Lawn began as an elementary school for blacks in 1887 on North Aiken Street. In 1893 the school moved to this site. By the end of the 19th Century, High School classes had been added to the curriculum. Two of the first graduates, Prince . . . — — Map (db m135282) HM
On North Rogers Street at Water Street, on the right when traveling north on North Rogers Street.
Due to overcrowding in the existing jail facility, this structure was completed in 1888. The Ellis County Commissioners Court awarded the contract to Pauly Jail Building and Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri. A round turret with conical . . . — — Map (db m122133) HM
On Dallas Highway, 2 miles north of Butcher Road, on the right when traveling south.
Originally comprised of men from Ellis and surrounding counties. Organized for Civil War service at Rockett's Spring (4 mi. E. of this site), Sept. 1861, unit was trained and commanded by Col. William H Parsons, Mexican War veteran, colorful . . . — — Map (db m201873) HM
On South Hawkins Street south of Railroad Street, on the left when traveling south.
This ballpark has hosted athletic events since the early 20th century. By 1914, local officials began planning for a field to attract a major league baseball team to train in Waxahachie. After various team representatives visited in 1915, local . . . — — Map (db m151261) HM
On Oldham Avenue at North Jackson Street, on the right when traveling west on Oldham Avenue.
Built in 1901, this house served as the parsonage for the presiding elder (district superintendent) of the Waxahachie District of the Northwest Texas Conference of the Methodist Church for more than 40 years. Mrs. M.J. Cooke, for whom the house was . . . — — Map (db m221771) HM
On West Franklin Street west of South College Street, on the right when traveling west.
By birth and education, a Virginian;
through residence, 1813-1825, an Alabaman jurist
In that year, Texas claimed him
—
As president of the Constitutional Convention in 1836
and as a member of the Congress of the young republic,
he . . . — — Map (db m152358) HM
On West Main Street at North College Street, on the left when traveling east on West Main Street.
Named for the founder of Waxahachie, Emory W. Rogers who built his log cabin home on this site in 1847 and donated land for the Ellis County Courthouse in 1850. Mr. Rogers built a two story hotel on this site in 1856, but it was destroyed in a fire . . . — — Map (db m212740) HM
On South Rogers Street at South College Street, on the right when traveling south on South Rogers Street.
Located on an early Waxahachie Creek fording site that served pioneer settlers of the area, this truss bridge was built in 1889. It was manufactured by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio, and was one of thirteen approved by Ellis County . . . — — Map (db m151995) HM
On Rutherford Road, 0.2 miles south of Farrar Road, on the right when traveling south.
Constructed in 1919 by the Texas Bridge Company at a cost of $565.00, this Warren Pony truss bridge provided transportation across Red Oak Creek for area residents. Prior to the bridge's construction, the only way for people to cross the creek in . . . — — Map (db m198720) HM
On Honeysuckle Road west of Saralvo Road, on the right when traveling west.
The earliest marked grave in the Sardis Cemetery is that of Susan Jane Rachael (Peevey) Kelly, who died in childbirth in 1871. Early settler Robert Mayfield donated land for the graveyard for the use of families in the Sardis Community. The burial . . . — — Map (db m170522) HM
On Sardis Road west of Saralvo Road, on the left when traveling west.
Methodist Church activities in this area can be traced to 1845, when the Rev. Thomas Welch, a circuit-riding minister, preached a sermon. Following a brush arbor meeting near this site in 1873, a formal congregation was organized. Services were . . . — — Map (db m170521) HM
