Waxahachie Chautauqua Building

This structure was built in 1902 for use as a Chautauqua Auditorium. The Chautauqua movement was, of course, an educational and entertainment program that originated in Chautauqua, New York, in the nineteenth century, and spread over a large part of the nation.

The ground upon which this building was built was used for the area (a large part of Texas) Chautauqua meetings for many years before this structure was built. Early meetings at this location were of a camp-ground meeting type. The structure was used for Chautauqua programs until the end of Chautauqua in this area in the late 1920s. It has been used at all times for public meetings such as high school graduation ceremonies, etc. There were a number of noted speakers who spoke in the building for Chautauqua meetings--William Jennings Bryan, John Philip Sousa, Will Rogers, and many others. The Chautauqua meetings were in the summer, usually June, and usually lasted about There were Bible study, educational programs, and entertainment programs.
two weeks.

The structure is of particular significance as it is perhaps the only building of its type which has survived. These wooden structures were by design vulnerable to fire and termites, as well as "progress". They apparently are not duplicates of this structure. The Chautauqua Auditoriums are a building type of which few examples: remain in Texas.

Architecturally the building is of great interest, as it is a very unusual, but practical design, being a wood octagonal structure that opens entirely to make an open-air structure, unsuitable for air conditioning but really very comfortable in the summertime regardless. Its appearance is unique and very attractive.

This structure is of architectural and historical significance to the Chautauqua movement. It is also of significance to the educational and entertainment movements in the Central Texas area during the early 1900s.