The Preservation Morgue

Recently lost grassroots efforts

In art vernacular, a morgue refers to a collection of photos and images that can be used for creating works of art. I think this word has a perfect double-entendre for the title of a collection of images and descriptions of properties that have not survived for one reason or another. This is not intended to be critical or judgmental towards anyone. There is no agenda here. Rather, the purpose is informational and educational. Knowing that "you can't save them all" is always on the table for consideration. But it is also useful to know that there are many beautiful buildings still standing today, such as the Alamo in San Antonio, that would not have survived without some sort of effort to save them. Locally, the Chautauqua comes to mind. Once considered a termite-infested lost cause and marked for demo, it still exists today and is a source of much pride for Waxahachians simply because someone took the time to ask if there was something that could be done to save it.

Since there are far too many lost structures to list here, we will focus on a couple of recent casualties with more to be added later.

The 1929 Jail

Though a valiant effort was made by Historic Waxahachie, Inc. and other concerned citizens, the jail was razed earlier this year (2009) to make way for the new County Courthouses. Backed by the Texas Historical Commission, many ideas were suggested on how to utilize the old jailhouse which featured mission-style architecture. But ultimately, with no reasonable options available, the new parking garage won-out over the efforts to save her. The three-story facility included living quarters for the county sheriff on the first floor and jail cells on the second and third. It operated as a jail until 1989, and no prisoners ever escaped, according to a 2003 study funded in part by the county and Historic Waxahachie Inc.

Waxahachie Cotton Mills

As with the 1928 jail, an organized effort was put forth to save the mills. The historic importance stemmed from its founding by local prominent citizens, headed by an eleven-year mayor and Civil War veteran, Edwin DuBose. Of particular note was the Cotton Mill’s role in producing the majority of canvas (single file ducking) for the World War I effort. The mill was extremely successful; it brought millions of dollars to the community until its’ closing in the 1930.

In 2002 the results of the Waxahachie Master Plan research stressed heritage tourism as the key to the city’s economic success. Visionaries in Community Preservation selected the Cotton Mill as the site most critical to the preservation plan. They said, “The site should become a vital active component of the community and should establish a link between the downtown and residential areas.” They suggested two future uses for the site—multi family or mixed business/commercial development.

However, environmental concerns from groundwater contamination and a lack of interested parties lead to its ultimate demise in 2009.