The Eddy P. Hawkins Home
The Hawkins family and their home were very much a part of the history of Waxahachie. The family members were leaders in the community and their church. Eddy Hawkins served as County Clerk for a number of years. Their home reflected their love of entertaining and family gatherings.
Interurban Railroad
In the year 1916 the consolidation of the Texas Traction Company and the Southern Traction Company created the largest interurban railway network in the south. On January 31, 1917 the merger was complete as J.F. Strickland assumed the roll of Company President. The company became a roll model in the transit industry, maintaining modern, comfortable passenger service and developing excellent freight and mail service. Surviving receivership in 1931, under stress of the depression, the company reorganized to be strong as ever. By this time service from Dallas spanned North Central Texas to the far reaches of Denison, Waco and Corsicana, making connections convenient from Fort Worth’s Northern Texas Traction Company routes. In December of 1948 Texas Electric Railway operations ended, but not before becoming one of the most successful interurban companies.
“Interurban” by definition meant among or between cities. However, to rural America the 16,000 miles of Interurban railway meant convenient transportation for students to a better education, for workers to more job availability. For some, the expansion of electrical rail service meant survival during the depression years. Interurban was speedy, efficient, and would you believe– the most environment-friendly form of transportation in history.
For a time, these trolley cars were the fastest ride on earth. Better roads, greater availability of automobiles and a passion for independence in travel eventually proved detrimental to the survival of the interurban.
As for the interurban through Ellis County you may find it interesting to know the Dallas-Waco line was originally surveyed to go from Waco to Waxahachie to Rockett to Ferris to Dallas. It would have crossed Brushy Creek at the lower edge of what was then known as the Brushy Community. The right-of-way was bought and paid for, the roadbed graded and completed, and the tower line carrying the power was finished and operating, with nothing remaining except laying the rails. Then for some reason, it was decided to abandon the Waxahachie-Ferris link and to go to Dallas via Red Oak and Lancaster.
A few of us are still around who remember the clickity-clack of the tracks; the sparks of the electrical connections over head and the sway of the trolley as the conductor throttled at top speed.
“Interurban” by definition meant among or between cities. However, to rural America the 16,000 miles of Interurban railway meant convenient transportation for students to a better education, for workers to more job availability. For some, the expansion of electrical rail service meant survival during the depression years. Interurban was speedy, efficient, and would you believe– the most environment-friendly form of transportation in history.
For a time, these trolley cars were the fastest ride on earth. Better roads, greater availability of automobiles and a passion for independence in travel eventually proved detrimental to the survival of the interurban.
As for the interurban through Ellis County you may find it interesting to know the Dallas-Waco line was originally surveyed to go from Waco to Waxahachie to Rockett to Ferris to Dallas. It would have crossed Brushy Creek at the lower edge of what was then known as the Brushy Community. The right-of-way was bought and paid for, the roadbed graded and completed, and the tower line carrying the power was finished and operating, with nothing remaining except laying the rails. Then for some reason, it was decided to abandon the Waxahachie-Ferris link and to go to Dallas via Red Oak and Lancaster.
A few of us are still around who remember the clickity-clack of the tracks; the sparks of the electrical connections over head and the sway of the trolley as the conductor throttled at top speed.
Grady School
“The public schools of Ellis County, about 120 in number, are generally in a flourishing condition and show unmistakable evidence of improvement from year to year. The course of study in many of them is not confined to the public school course but embraces still higher branches of science and math usually taught in high school of other and old schools and the patronages is steadily increasing”
Burnam - Burnham Called Ennis' Predecessor
Burnam, a village long since in decay, was located between Waxahachie and Corsicana. It was on land belonging to Edeline House six miles southwest of the place where Ennis was later established. This land was part of the Ascension Gonsaba grant that had been sold to Anderson M. Berry. Robert Lockhart had bought, at public auction, one league and one labor of the Berry estate for thirty-eight dollars.
Christmas Then and Now
Area agencies need assistance this time of the year to fulfill the need of food, clothing and toys. Be sure to pull a tag from the Christmas Tree in your banks lobby or send a check to help monetarily. No matter the time of the year our local agencies need your help. Your benevolence will be appreciated by many!
