House at 418 North College
418 N. College, Waxahachie, TXListed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The area that is now Ellis County was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Comanche. However, in the mid-1830s, European settlers began to arrive and establish homesteads in the region. These settlers were drawn to the fertile land and opportunities for farming and ranching.
During the Civil War, Ellis County was deeply divided, with residents supporting both the Union and the Confederacy. The county was the site of several skirmishes and raids, and endured a significant amount of destruction as a result. After the war, Ellis County began to rebuild and experienced a period of growth and development.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ellis County saw the rise of industries such as cotton farming, cattle ranching, and oil production. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further fueled the county's economic growth. Today, Ellis County remains an agricultural powerhouse, with a strong presence in the cotton and cattle industries, and is also home to a diverse range of businesses and thriving communities.
Ellis County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Ellis County, Texas.
- 1849 - Ellis County is established from Navarro County.
- 1850 - Waxahachie is selected as the county seat.
- 1853 - The county courthouse is built.
- 1881 - The Texas Central Railroad reaches Waxahachie, boosting the local economy.
- 1883 - Southwestern Asylum for the Insane (now known as Terrell State Hospital) opens in Terrell, impacting the county's development.
- 1889 - A fire destroys the Ellis County courthouse.
- 1895 - A new courthouse is completed, designed by architect J. Riely Gordon.
- 1921 - An oil boom begins in Ellis County, leading to increased prosperity.
- 1934 - The Federal Correctional Institution is established in Seagoville.
- 1942 - The Naval Air Station is established in Waxahachie during World War II.
- 1969 - Navarro College opens a campus in Waxahachie.
- 1987 - Bluebonnet Festival debuts in Ennis, becoming an annual celebration.
- 2007 - Baylor Scott & White Medical Center opens in Waxahachie, providing advanced healthcare services to the county.