Ellis County Courthouse
Strolling through the
Historic Downtown District, you can still see remnants of the famed
Shawnee Trail along with the Ellis County Courthouse. The Ellis
County Courthouse was built in 1895 from plans created by architect
James Riely Gordon featuring Richardson Romanesque architectural
style. Standing nine stories tall, it is listed in the top
100 most photographed structures in the state of Texas. The Ellis
County Courthouse and surrounding square have been the background
for many movies, television programs and commercials. The
courthouse is open for visitors Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
and during select special events.
MKT Depot
The MKT Depot was built in
1908 serving the community as a stop on the Missouri-Kansas-Texas
rail line for many years, hauling locally grown cotton to markets,
and local soldiers to and from several wars. Passenger service was
discontinued in 1964; however, the depot continued to service
freight trains on their way through Waxahachie until 1988. When
that service stopped, the depot was used for storage by various
entities over the years. In 2007, the land underneath the depot and
the right-of-way were acquired from the railroads by the City of
Waxahachie. The City then purchased the depot building in
2008 and started the restoration project. Construction
planning began in 2009 and the actual construction on the depot
began in early 2010. The restoration of the MKT Depot was completed
in November of 2010. Through the efforts of many people, its
historical accuracy has remained intact while allowing for a
creative new use.
Chaska House
The Chaska House was built
in 1900, reflecting the Revival Style and attitude that flourished
in turn-of-the-century Waxahachie when "Cotton was King."
Opened as a bed & breakfast in 1993 by Louis and Linda Brown,
the house and each of its uniquely decorated common areas and
extraordinary guest rooms are a remarkable blend of original
architecture, master craftsmanship and imaginative interior design.
Rich colors, opulent fabrics, fine art and antiques create a
comfortable elegance rarely found in historic lodging properties,
all just a short stroll to historic Waxahachie's town square with
its wonderful shops, excellent restaurants and the magnificent
Ellis County Courthouse.