An octagonal open-air auditorium with 2,500 seats offers a special glimpse into the region’s history in Waxahachie: the Waxahachie Chautauqua Auditorium was built in 1902 for the annual Chautauqua Assemblies. Alongside this gathering place, you’ll find museums, historic buildings and trails that reveal different sides of Ellis County.
Buildings and Traces of History
The Ellis County Museum is housed in a building constructed in 1889 in downtown, across from the Ellis County Courthouse. The courthouse was completed in 1897 and is designed in the Romanesque Revival style. The museum covers topics ranging from the county’s early origins, the Shawnee Trail, agriculture and railroads to Victorian architecture and local film history. A self-guided tour is available; guided programs for adults, students and children can be arranged by appointment. The courthouse can also be explored on a self-guided historical tour. Check the current schedule before your visit.
The Ellis County African American Hall of Fame promotes engagement with African American history. It is housed in a building constructed in 1926 that first served as the Colored Knights of Pythias Hall and later as the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge. Another historic building in Waxahachie is the Texas Theater, built in 1895. Together, these buildings represent different chapters of local history.
History is also shared through tours and recurring traditions. The Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes was founded in 1968 by the Ellis County Museum and local preservationists to celebrate Waxahachie’s exceptional concentration of Victorian homes. This annual event supports local history programs through the museum. The Hachie Hearts Trail offers a different focus: this interactive history tour features 21 hearts, each individually painted by local artists and sponsored by local businesses.
Trails and Outdoor Experiences
The Waxahachie Creek Hike & Bike Trail combines outdoor activity with varied scenery. The paved multi-use trail is about four miles long and passes through wooded areas, creek corridors and parks. It’s suitable for walking, running and cycling. The Historic Rogers Street Bridge connects to the trail. Alongside the historic buildings, the route offers a place to get around on foot or by bike.
The M&M Playground in Getzendaner Park was designed as an ADA-compliant, inclusive playground for children with different abilities. Bardwell Lake is in southwest Ellis County, two miles southwest of Ennis on State Highway 34. These details provide directions to two different places in the county without suggesting they are part of a single route.
Seasonal Drives and Major Attractions
Ennis is home to two recurring experiences held at different times of the year. The Ennis Bluebonnet Trail runs annually from April 1 to 30 and includes more than 40 miles of signed bluebonnet driving routes. The Polka Festival takes place every year in May over Memorial Day weekend. Keep the difference in mind when planning: the bluebonnet drive is tied to April, while the festival takes place over the May holiday weekend.
The Scarborough Renaissance Festival offers entertainment on 22 stages, demonstrations by artisans and 200 shops. The offerings also include food and drinks from around the world. The Screams Halloween Theme Park offers a different kind of experience: it covers 50 acres, and admission includes four haunted houses, as well as the Maze of the Macabre and the Ghoulish Graveyard. The two attractions offer very different highlights, from stage shows and crafts to haunted houses.
Motorsports are also among the experiences described in Ellis County. The Texas Motorplex Race Track was built in 1986 and has hosted numerous drag racing milestones and world-record performances. It is located on U.S. 287 South, about 10 miles from Interstate 35. The county’s attractions range from architecture and history to seasonal drives and motorsports.
Discover more destinations: Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian, Red Oak, Houston County, Hutchinson County, Dewitt County, Rains County
For the broader travel overview: Texas.
