Waxahachie, Texas
Template:Redirect Template:Distinguish Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Waxahachie (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) is a city in and the county seat of Ellis County, Texas, United States. Its population was 41,140 in 2020.<ref name="data.census.gov" /> The city was founded in 1850, and incorporated in 1871. Much of the employment is provided by a number of industries and by educational institutions, including primary and secondary schools, a community college and a private university. In the mid-1980s, the city became a filming location for a number of movies and occasional episodes of television series.
Etymology
Some sources state that the name means "cow" or "buffalo" in an unspecified Native American language.<ref name="Handbook of Texas Online"/> One possible Native American origin is the Alabama language, originally spoken in the area of Alabama around Waxahatchee Creek by the Alabama-Coushatta people, who had migrated by the 1850s to eastern Texas. In the Alabama language, waakasi hachi means "calf's tail" (the Alabama word waaka being a loan from Spanish vaca).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A Waxahatchee Creek near present-day Shelby, Alabama, suggests that Waxahachie shares the same etymology. Many place names in Texas and Oklahoma have their origins in the Southeastern United States, largely due to forced removal of various southeastern Indian tribes. The area in central Alabama that includes Waxahatchee Creek was for hundreds of years the home of the Upper Creek moiety of the Muscogee Creek Nation. Again, this would suggest a Muscogee Creek-language origin of Waxahachie. "Waxahachie", therefore, may be an anglicized pronunciation of the Muscogee compound word wakvhvce from the Muscogee words wakv (meaning "cow" derived from the Spanish vaca) and the Muscogee word hvcce (meaning "river" or "creek").<ref>Many place names in the Southern U.S. end with "hatchee" or "hachie" such as, famously, "Tallahatchie Bridge". Whether "hatchee" or "hatchie", these names oftentimes derive from either the Muscogee word hvce (tail) or hvcce (a river or a stream). For example, 'Tvlvhvcce (English "Tallahatchie") may be interpreted as "River City" from 'Tvlv (city or town) and hvcce (river or stream).</ref>
History
Waxahachie was founded in August 1850 as the seat of the newly established Ellis County on a tract of land donated by early settler Emory W. Rogers, a native of Lawrence County, Alabama, who migrated to Texas in 1839.<ref name="Handbook of Texas Online">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was incorporated on April 28, 1871, and in 1875, the state legislature granted investors the right to operate a rail line from Waxahachie Tap Railroad to Garrett, Texas, which greatly increased the population of Waxahachie.<ref name="Handbook of Texas Online"/>
From 1902 to 1942, Waxahachie was the second home of Trinity University, which was a Presbyterian-affiliated institution founded in 1869. Then-Trinity's main administration and classroom building is today the Farmer Administration Building of Nelson University. Trinity's present-day location is in San Antonio.
The town is the namesake of the former United States Naval Ship Waxahachie (YTB-814).
In 1988, the area around Waxahachie was chosen as the site for the Superconducting Super Collider, which was to be the world's largest and most energetic particle accelerator, with a planned ring circumference of Template:Convert. Seventeen shafts were sunk and Template:Convert of tunnel were bored<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> before the project was cancelled by Congress in 1993.
In 2020, County Judge Todd Little came into the national spotlight when the county's only elected African American, Constable Curtis Polk, Jr., protested having his office located in the basement of the courthouse next to a segregation-era sign that read "Negroes".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The controversy was resolved amicably when Little worked with Polk to relocate him to another office.
Geography
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Waxahachie has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Demographics
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 22,174 | 53.9% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 5,861 | 14.25% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 153 | 0.37% |
| Asian (NH) | 353 | 0.86% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 52 | 0.13% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 314 | 0.76% |
| Multiracial (NH) | 1,558 | 3.79% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 10,675 | 25.95% |
| Total | 41,140 |
As of the 2020 United States census, 41,140 people, 12,522 households, and 9,073 families resided in the city.
Economy
Employment opportunities in the city are highly oriented toward industry. Owens Corning, Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, James Hardie Industries, Berry Global, Americase, Cardinal Glass, Magnablend, and Dart Container are located within a few miles of each other. Nonindustrial employers include Baylor Scott & White Health, Waxahachie Independent School District, Walgreens Distribution Center, Walmart, H-E-B, Navarro College, and Nelson University.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events
The Scarborough Renaissance Festival (also called Scarborough Faire) is located southwest of the town. It opens annually during April and May, and has been in operation since 1981.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Scarborough grounds are also home to Screams Halloween Theme Park in October.
The city's annual Gingerbread Trail Festival features tours of many of the Gingerbread homes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Crossroads of Texas Festival, featuring artists, craftsmen, music, and food from around Texas, takes place in downtown on the last Saturday in October. The festival was known as the Texas Country Reporter Festival from 1996 to 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Bethlehem Revisited, a re-enactment of the birth of Jesus, occurs behind Central Presbyterian Church in early December.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Tourism
Waxahachie is locally known for its elaborate Richardsonian Romanesque courthouse.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The town also features many examples of Victorian architecture and Gingerbread-style homes, several of which have been converted into bed and breakfast inns. The Ellis County Art Association hosts ART on the Square (Cultural Attractions- Events and Facilities; 113 West Franklin Street).
Parks and recreation
Parks in Waxahachie include Spring Park, Getzendaner Memorial Park, Richards Park, Chapman Park, and Brown-Singleton Park.<ref name="Waxahachie, Texas">Template:Cite web</ref> Getzendaner Park features the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, built in 1902. Lake Waxahachie features a range of camping and fishing areas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Government
The city of Waxahachie is a voluntary member of the North Central Texas Council of Governments association, the purpose of which is to coordinate individual and collective local governments and facilitate regional solutions, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and enable joint decisions.
State government
Waxahachie is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Brian Birdwell, District 22, and in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican Brian Harrison, District 10.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Waxahachie District Parole Office in Sherman.<ref>"Parole Division Region II Template:Webarchive." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.</ref>
Federal government
At the federal level, the two U.S. senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz; since 2003, Waxahachie has been part of Texas's 6th congressional district, which is currently represented by Republican Jake Ellzey.
The United States Postal Service operates the Waxahachie Post Office.<ref>"Post Office Location - WAXAHACHIE." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 16, 2010.</ref>
Education
Primary and secondary
Almost all of Waxahachie is served by the Waxahachie Independent School District (WISD), which currently has eight elementary campuses, three middle-school campuses, and two high schools. WISD offers advanced-placement and dual-credit courses, and varied career and technology courses.
Waxahachie High School, classified as 6A, offers a range of extracurricular activities to its students, including football, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, concert and marching band, drama, choir, drill team, and dozens of academic teams and clubs. The football program made the playoffs every year from 1989 to 2010.Template:Citation neededWaxahachie Global High School, an ECHS T-STEM school emphasizing instruction in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a small-learning-community environment, opened on August 27, 2007.
The city limits of Waxahachie extend into the Ferris, Midlothian, and Red Oak ISDs.<ref name=CensusSDMap2020Ellis>Template:Cite web</ref>
In addition to the district schools, Life School, a public charter-school system, operates a 7–12 grade campus.<ref>"Contact Us Template:Webarchive." Life School. Retrieved on September 2, 2011. "950 South I-35E Lancaster, TX 75146"</ref> On April 15, 2014, Life School broke ground on a new high school in Waxahachie, planned to accommodate about 1,000 9th–12th graders.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Private schools
The several private schools include Waxahachie Preparatory Academy (K-12), Mercy Preparatory Academy (K-12), First Christian Day School (through 8th grade),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and St. Joseph Catholic School (through 8th grade). Template:Citation needed
Colleges and universities
Two postsecondary educational institutions have campuses in the city of Waxahachie: Navarro College, a community college based in Corsicana, Texas, and Nelson University, a private, four-year university affiliated with the Assemblies of God, which offers accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees.
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Nelson University in Waxahachie -
The Farmer Administration Building on the campus of Nelson University. The building was formerly home to Trinity University.
Media
The first newspaper in Waxahachie, the now-defunct Waxahachie Argus, was established in 1870.<ref name="Handbook of Texas Online" /> The Waxahachie Daily Light has served the town since 1891.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Additionally, 47 radio stations are within close listening range of Waxahachie.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> KBEC radio has served the community and surrounding area since 1955.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Gallery
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Downtown Waxahachie, at the intersection of Rogers and West Franklin Streets -
West Franklin Street between South College and Rogers Streets, downtown Waxahachie
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Infrastructure
Health care
Both Altus Emergency Center and Baylor Scott & White Health at Waxahachie provide emergency services locally, as does Ennis Regional Medical Center, about 14 miles away in Ennis.<ref name="Waxahachie, Texas"/> Between 2003 and 2010, Waxahachie's healthcare industry added 555 jobs, making it the city's fourth-largest employment sector.<ref>"Economic Development Strategic Plan 2012," http://www.crossroadsoftx.com/ Template:Webarchive</ref>
Transportation
Interstate 35E is a major north–south freeway serving as a bypass around the west side of Waxahachie. The freeway connects with Red Oak, DeSoto/Lancaster, and Dallas to the north; Italy, Hillsboro, and Waco to the south.
U.S. Route 287, also a freeway, runs in a northwest–southeast orientation through the north side of the city. The freeway connects with Midlothian, Mansfield, and Fort Worth to the west and Ennis to the east.
U.S. Route 77, a north–south highway, serves as the main thoroughfare through the city, passing through downtown and the north side of the city. The highway parallels Interstate 35 and reconnects with the interstate just outside the city limits. Many of the city's commercial developments line Highway 77.
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Notable people
- Robert Benton, won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Places in the Heart, filmed in Waxahachie.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Jammal Brown, professional football player <ref name="city-data.com">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Tevin Campbell, Grammy-nominated R&B singer <ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Emanuel Cleaver, U.S. representative for Missouri and mayor of Kansas City<ref name="city-data.com"/>
- Bessie Coleman, first female African-American pilot (born in Atlanta, Texas; moved to Waxahachie at age 2) <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Elizabeth Otis Dannelly, poet <ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Frederic Forrest, Oscar-nominated actor<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
- Robert J. Groden, JFK assassination conspiracy theorist, released the Zapruder film on national TV on March 6, 1975
- Josie Briggs Hall, author of A Scroll of Facts and Advice (1905), the first book published by a black Texan woman<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Bill Ham, manager for ZZ Top<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Dale Hansen, sports anchor WFAA-TV Channel 8 Dallas, Texas<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- John Paul Jackson, minister, prophet and teacher
- Desmond Mason, professional basketball player <ref name="city-data.com"/>
- Julie Miller, songwriter, singer, and recording artist <ref name="city-data.com"/>
- Dick Murdoch, professional wrestler <ref name="city-data.com"/>
- Byron Nelson, professional golfer <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Jim Pitts, former member of the Texas House of Representatives<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Jalen Reagor, professional football player
- Montae Reagor, former defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
- Paul Richards, Major League Baseball player, manager and executive <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Aldrick Robinson, professional football player and coach
- Broderick Sargent, professional football player <ref name="city-data.com"/>
- Brian Waters, professional football player <ref name="city-data.com"/>
- John Wray, former member of the Texas House of Representatives and former mayor of Waxahachie<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In popular culture
Additionally, the long-running television series Walker, Texas Ranger, starring Chuck Norris, was filmed in Waxahachie on occasion. Some scenes in Prison Break were filmed in Waxahachie. Scenes from Bonnie and Clyde (1967) were also shot here.<ref>Barth, Jack (1991). Roadside Hollywood: The Movie Lover's State-By-State Guide to Film Locations, Celebrity Hangouts, Celluloid Tourist Attractions, and More. Contemporary Books. Page 63. Template:ISBN.</ref>
The 1984 film Places in the Heart was set and filmed in Waxahachie.
In 2018, an animated short film from Crypt TV titled Dark Vessel featured the town as its 1977-based setting.<ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
In 2021, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall and Jack Ingram released a song named for the city on their acoustic album The Marfa Tapes. It was later recorded again with full production for inclusion on Lambert's solo album Palomino in 2022.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Sister cities
Sabinas in Coahuila, Mexico, has been proposed as Waxahachie's sister city. Sabinas is located about Template:Convert south of Eagle Pass, Texas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Notes
References
External links
Template:Waxahachie, Texas Template:Ellis County, Texas Template:Texas county seats Template:Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex