1st Courthouse
Building Completion Date: 1850
County Seat: Waxahachie
Present Status: Gone
Architect: Joseph N. Whittenberg
Contractor: Joseph N. Whittenberg
Building Materials/Description: Vernacular, log cabin, 16′ x 18′, $59
2nd Courthouse
Building Completion Date: 1854
County Seat: Waxahachie
Present Status: Gone
Architect: David P. Fearis
Architectural Style: Greek Revival
Building Materials/Description: Frame, 2 story, 24′ x 36′, small tower, $1,999
3rd Courthouse
Building Completion Date: 1875
County Seat: Waxahachie
Present Status: Gone. Demolished
Architectural Style: Greek Revival and Italianate
Building Materials/Description: Yellow Limestone, 60′ x 60′ x 2 story, tower, $35,000
4th Courthouse
Building Completion Date: 1896
County Seat: Waxahachie
Present Status: Existing. Active
Architect: James Riely Gordon
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Contractor: Otto P. Krueger
Building Materials/Description: The Ellis County Courthouse, designed in 1895 by J. Riely Gordon, is rich in Romanesque detail. Cost to build: $ 175,000. Even though the courthouse was designed by Gordon, he was not directly involved in the construction of the courthouse.
