History
Historical
information about our towns, county and people who have been a part of
our community history
Historical Home Spotlight
The Smith House
600 West Jefferson Street
Built
between 1887 and 1889 by O. F. Parks, this stately Victorian has the
builder’s initials elaborately carved in the front door, but he never
lived in the house. Although it was evidently purchased by an
attorney, a realtor and a New York investment firm, it was unoccupied
until 1907. The style of the house is both “Stick” – cypress siding,
asymmetrical molding and windows, and linear porch columns and
balusters – and “Queen Anne” – dominant gables, fishscale shingles,
decorative corbels and finials, and hexagonal bay construction on two
sides of the home. The wraparound front porch leads to two different
front doors, each with a morning-glory etched glass. [
Full Story
]
American
History Shaped by Mosquitoes
By Charles R. Flowers
Who
would have imagined that mosquitoes would play such an important role
in shaping events of early American history?
[
Full Story
]
The Inter Urban
The New Inter Urban? Maybe!
Waxahachie Chatauqua
By Kathryn E. Eriksen
Waxahachie
is well known for its historic, grand courthouse and numerous
Victorian buildings and homes. But there is a historic jewel set in
Getzendaner Park that you should not miss.
The grey wooden structure sits regally on the northeast corner of the
Park, set on a small hill that adds to its stately appearance. The
windows remain shuttered throughout the year, and there are no
peepholes to peek inside. What is this unusual octagonal structure
and why was it built?
To answer that question, you have to understand about the Chautauqua
movement, which began at Lake Chautauqua in upper state New York in
1874. Originally designed as a summer retreat for Sunday school
teachers, the Chautauqua idea broadened to include art, music
science, religion, patriotism and education. By 1880, the Chautauqua
movement became a national forum for discussion of public issues,
art, literature and science. [Full Story
]
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Who
would have imagined that mosquitoes would play such an important role
in shaping events of early American history?
Waxahachie
is well known for its historic, grand courthouse and numerous
Victorian buildings and homes. But there is a historic jewel set in
Getzendaner Park that you should not miss.
