Waxahachie's Chautauqua Auditorium is the sole national survivor of the turn-of-the-century phenomenon - The Traveling Chautauquas.  It has been designated a Texas State Historical Building and has been placed on the National Register of Historical Buildings and Sites.

Built in 1902, it seated 2500 culture-hungry Texans from all over the state at Chautauqua activities.  They came by covered wagon, surrey, on horseback, and any means at their disposal to hear such American greats as William Jennings Bryan, Will Rogers, and the U. S. Marine Band.  For two weeks each July, Waxahachie's Chautauqua Park (now Getzendaner Park) became a "tent city" where entire families came and camped out.

In 1901, it became obvious to the organizers of the Waxahachie Chautauqua that the newly erected pavilion in West End Park could not accommodate the throngs of people attending the Chautauqua programs at the Summer Assemblies.

And so, on August 9, 1901, a group of citizens met in the District Courtroom of the Ellis County Courthouse and decided to build a new 2500-seat new auditorium in the park. It is unclear who was responsible for the octagonal building’s unusual design. Many believe that the structure was planned to resemble a tent, but it seems more likely that it is a copy of the original octagonal roofed platform of the open-air auditorium at the Chautauqua Institution in New York.

.S. Boze, a local contractor and architect, was in charge of the project. Although construction did not begin until June 1902, the large and impressive building was completed in time for the Summer Assembly held July 22-31, 1902. The cost of construction was $2750.

Built entirely of wood, the Waxahachie auditorium had large “wooden windows” which would slide upward into the upper portion of the walls, making an open-air structure. The stage, with dressing rooms below, was inset in the south side of the building. A large water tank was erected near the auditorium to furnish drinking water. Electric lights were installed. Plans to gravel the floor near the stage gave way to “planking” the entire floor.


The Chautauqua movement began at Lake Chautauqua, New York in 1874 as a summer retreat for the training of Sunday School teachers. From the first year onward the Chautauqua idea was all-denominational and blended study and recreation in a pastoral setting. It broadened almost immediately to include academic subjects, music, art, humanities, and physical education. By 1880 the Chautauqua platform had established itself as a national forum for open discussion of public issues, international relations, literature, and science.

Soon after the founding of the original Chautauqua in New York, numerous independent Chautauqua assemblies were established throughout the country, based upon the ideals of the original. Additionally, in an effort to reach those who could not attend the established Chautauqua assemblies, travelling circuits or “tent Chautauquas” sprang up and continued until the early 1930s.

The Waxahachie Chautauqua Auditorium was restored for the National Bicentennial July 4, 1976.  It is still in use today as a city auditorium for various functions including several visits each year by the Fort Worth Symphony.

The Chautauqua stands at the edge of Getzendaner Park and provides a look into Waxahachie’s past. Still in use, it is home to a number of theatrical events and City celebrations. With its