Continued  | Related information

Before the turn of the Century and well into the 20's, the town of Waxahachie and Ellis County were among the most wealthy and influential areas in Texas.  Cotton was KING. The rich dark earth of the black land region of Texas produced tremendous crops of cotton which led to the growth of all sorts of assorted industry and commerce for the area.

With this newfound wealth, many of the businessmen, farmers, bankers and industrialists during this time built large beautiful homes for their families.  Many beautiful public buildings were constructed in the city as well. 

The Great Depression dealt Ellis county and the cotton industry a devastating blow. Many farmers and businesses went bankrupt. Most people could not accept the fact that the unbelievable prosperity of the past 50 years had come to an end.

From around 1929 to the 1970's, nothing much changed  in Waxahachie and Ellis county.  Very little new industry sprang up.  Many believed that PROGRESS had completely passed them by. The bank robbers, Bonnie and Clyde, had even visited the local bank in the 30's but left with very little. 

During this time in Texas, many towns experienced change with new growth and new industry.  But it also took something away.  That progress erased their past. Many historic structures lost out to the developers and land speculators. Many towns lost those things which had made them great. They lost their history and  their identity!

Ironically, in Waxahachie, this absent of progress preserved many of the historic buildings and homes. There were some unfortunate losses nevertheless and some of the historic structures were lost.  One of the most devastating losses was the Central Fire Hall in the  early 1960s. The Central Fire Station was built in the 1880s and had 100% horse drawn fire fighting equipment. This location is now a service station and store!

Primarily because of this absence of progress,  Waxahachie is now world-renowned for possessing an enormous area of surviving examples of early architectural styles, including the gingerbread style from which the  Gingerbread Home Tour takes its name.  Today, one has the opportunity to visit many of these fine elegant homes and buildings and, for a moment, step back sixty to a hundred years to a time and place long since past.  You can also stroll the beautiful downtown square and see the jewel of Ellis County and Waxahachie, the Courthouse!. Completely restored to its original condition, it is really something to see inside and out. 

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