If you are planning a trip to Waxahachie, Tex., the quaint city of 30,000, located half an hour south of Dallas, has lots to offer. Popular attractions in and around Waxahachie include the Gingerbread Trail of architecturally interesting old homes, antique shopping, the famed 1895 Ellis County courthouse, Scarborough Faire, the Texas Motorplex and nearby Hillsboro outlet shopping. Waxahachie is known for its historical downtown area, where you can choose to stay in one of four boutique hotels/B&Bs.
The Rogers Hotel is the oldest hotel in Waxahachie, named for Emory W. Rogers, the founder of the city, who built his log cabin home in 1847 at this location. Rogers donated land for the Ellis County Courthouse in 1850. The downtown hotel is famous for hosting numerous baseball teams in the early 1900s for spring training and is rumored to be haunted. In 2008 new owners gutted and renovated the hotel to include offices and shops, while six rooms are available for a romantic, charming stay.
Located on Main Street in downtown Waxahachie, the Harrison Bed & Breakfast was built in 1915 by James Wright Harrison for his new wife. Converted to a bed-and-breakfast, the hotel has five English-style suites and is now run by Sandee and Mark Larkin.
The Chaska House was originally built in 1900 in downtown Waxahachie and was opened as a bed-and-breakfast in 1993 by Louis and Linda Brown. The home offers turn-of-the century Victorian design throughout the common areas and guest rooms, showcasing period antiques and furnishings.The rooms are separately named and styled after famous authors. Guests can relax on the old-fashioned wraparound verandas and tree-shaded grounds.
A Queen Anne Victorian house with gingerbread trim awaits you at the Bonnynook Inn, built in 1894. Like the Rogers Hotel, the Bonnynook Inn is rumored to be haunted by its original owners. The house was owned privately until it was sold in 1979 and restored as a B&B in 1983.
