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Waxahachie is the seat of Ellis County, a city of about 40,000 people roughly 30 miles south of Dallas. Founded in 1850 and grown rich on cotton in the late 1800s, it kept so many ornate Victorian houses that it calls itself the Gingerbread City, and its well-preserved streets have appeared in films such as Places in the Heart and Tender Mercies.
The centerpiece is the 1897 Ellis County Courthouse, a red sandstone and granite Romanesque Revival landmark designed by James Riely Gordon and famous for the carved faces on its facade. Around it, the downtown square is lined with historic commercial buildings, antique shops, cafes and the Ellis County Museum. Each June the Gingerbread Trail opens historic homes for tours, and the octagonal Chautauqua Auditorium in Getzendaner Park recalls the town's early 1900s cultural gatherings.
In spring the Scarborough Renaissance Festival draws large crowds to its grounds just outside town. Lake Bardwell offers fishing, camping and boating to the south, and Dallas and Fort Worth are both within an easy drive.
Completed in 1897 and designed by James Riely Gordon, this red sandstone and pink granite courthouse with its tall clock tower dominates the square. Look closely at the carved faces around the entrances, which are the subject of local legend. It is still a working courthouse, so admire it mostly from outside.
An open-sided octagonal auditorium built in 1902 in Getzendaner Park to host Chautauqua lectures, concerts and gatherings. It is one of the few surviving buildings of its kind in Texas and still hosts events. Combine it with a walk or picnic in the shaded park along Waxahachie Creek.
The blocks around the courthouse are lined with restored 19th and early 20th century storefronts holding antique shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It is a pleasant place to stroll and has been used as a backdrop for several films. Park once and explore on foot; weekdays are quieter than Saturdays.
An annual tour of historic homes held in early June, when owners of some of the city's finest Victorian and early 20th century houses open their doors to visitors. Outside of the event you can still drive or walk past many of the gingerbread-trimmed houses on West Main Street and nearby streets.
One of the largest Renaissance fairs in Texas, held on spring weekends from April through Memorial Day on wooded grounds just outside Waxahachie. Expect jousting, costumed performers, artisan booths, music stages and turkey legs. Buy tickets online, arrive early for parking and wear comfortable shoes for the dirt paths.
A large, old city park beside Waxahachie Creek with big shade trees, picnic areas, playgrounds and walking paths, and home to the historic Chautauqua Auditorium. It is a good spot to take a break from sightseeing, and families often stop here with children after visiting the downtown square.
A local history museum facing the courthouse square, housed in a historic downtown building. Exhibits cover pioneer life, the cotton era, county families, military history and everyday objects from Ellis County's past. It is small and easy to visit in under an hour; check opening days before you go.
A well-known downtown gallery specializing in folk, outsider and vernacular art, set in historic commercial buildings near the square. Its eclectic rooms hold paintings, carvings, signs and curiosities by self-taught artists. It keeps limited hours, so check ahead before making a special trip.
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir a short drive south of Waxahachie with parks for camping, boat ramps, swimming areas and good fishing for bass, crappie and catfish. It is popular on summer weekends. Some parks charge day-use fees, and campsites fill quickly on holidays.
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