On the wall, you’ll see several historic photos and postcards of the courthouse, including photographs of it being built. One photo in the middle of the wall depicts the Ringling Brothers Circus visiting downtown Waxahachie in 1902; note how many people are crammed together to view the circus from every available window and balcony, almost seeming to hang off of the building. Second from left, you’ll see another photograph depicting an old form of public transportation in Waxahachie: a horse-drawn “bus.”

     On the wall facing the entrance into the main hallway, you’ll see two illustrations and one photograph that purportedly depict the first Ellis County courthouses. The top left illustration depicts the tiny, portable cabin purchased by the county in Dallas and assembled from a kit to serve as a place for the court to convene. The top right illustration shows the slightly larger and more formal structure that replaced the portable cabin c. 1854. Down below is an actual photograph of the 1873 yellow limestone courthouse that was utilized on this location prior to construction of the current Historic Courthouse. As evidenced by the number of hitching posts in use, parking on the downtown square was an issue in the 1870’s, as well as today! In front of the courthouse is a buggy, and the photograph’s caption notes that one of the men sitting in it is Pat Templeton; this is a name that you will want to remember, as Mr. Templeton’s daughter did something significant for Ellis County that will be covered later.