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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Northwest Texas Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church South, built a college named for Bishop E.M. Marvin at this site in 1870-71. Waxahachie Methodists and others gave land, services, and money to develop the college. Distinctions were . . . — — Map (db m212662) HM
Burial place of pioneers and
generations of descendants; on a
knoll that was in wilderness
when cemetery opened, but now
overlooks nine urban areas.
Founded by Nancy Owen Smith
for her family and neighbors.
First burial was her . . . — — Map (db m244614) HM
The earliest Catholic settlers in Waxahachie were two brothers of English and American ancestry who arrived in 1859. A German Catholic family joined them in 1870 and a number of Irish Catholic stonemasons arrived in 1871 to assist in the building of . . . — — Map (db m212663) HM
City's Oldest Church.
Dedicated by Pioneer Bishop A.C. Garrett, 1885.
Lancet Windows, Doors.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965
2nd Plaque Historic Waxahachie Inc. Recognizes This Property Built in 1887 as . . . — — Map (db m212785) HM
Emory W. Rogers was born in Lawrence County, Alabama on July 2, 1813. Nancy Clinton was born on October 28, 1810. The Couple Married in 1833.
Mr. Rogers obtained a "Headright" certificate from the Republic of Texas in 1839, for 640 acres of . . . — — Map (db m212735) HM
Constructed in 1904 by Dennis Mahoney, contractor and builder. He came from Connecticut to Texas in late 1800s to build Trinity University in Waxahachie (now in San Antonio). Cornerstone was laid March 21, 1902. He later moved to Waxahachie and . . . — — Map (db m221772) HM
The Marchman Building, older than our Ellis County Courthouse, has been a prominent part of our town's economic history. Built in 1887, it is situated on the N.E. corner of the Bradshaw Block. This site of land was deeded to D.G. Ransom and Amzi . . . — — Map (db m212784) HM
Some 25 years after Chautauqua cultural programs originated in New York State, annual Chautauqua assemblies in Waxahachie began in 1899. Large crowds from North and East Texas and Oklahoma camped here, studying literature and the arts, attending . . . — — Map (db m152000) HM
The first burial here occurred on Jan. 1, 1852, after the death of pioneer merchant Silas Killough (b. 1805), one of the founders of this community. The original 4.16 acre tract was given in 1858 to trustees of the Methodist church by Emory W. . . . — — Map (db m151260) HM
In loving tribute to Waxahachie’s sons and daughters who so valiantly served in World War II. To honor those who have returned after service on the far-flung fields of battle and to perpetuate the memory of those who have paid the supreme . . . — — Map (db m170493) WM
Robert M. Wyatt came to central Texas in 1860. "Had a muddy time of it at the Trinity" he wrote in his journal dated Wednesday 14th Nov. 1860. "Friday morning 16th Nov. we landed in Waxahachie and found a vacant house near the Methodist Church and . . . — — Map (db m212696) HM
