Waxahachie

In some ways, Waxahachie (population 21,426) is the opposite of Arlington [1]. It’s a quintessentially quaint town (proof: it’s known as the “Gingerbread Capital of Texas”) and, as such, is appropriately chock full o’ rich history and charming heritage tourism attractions.

Located about 30 miles south of Dallas [2], Waxahachie's name originates from an Indian word meaning “cow” or “buffalo.” Prosperity from the area’s rich cotton farming industry in the early 1900s resulted in the construction of the attractive downtown buildings and the cotton barons’ glamorous Victorian “gingerbread” homes.

The city’s crown jewel is the enormous and stunning 1897 Ellis County Courthouse [3], one of nearly 300 Waxahachie structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town’s true Texana appeal has resulted in numerous movies being filmed here, including Bonnie and Clyde, Places in the Heart, and Tender Mercies.