Historic Homes

The Smith Home

Built between 1887 and 1889 by O. F. Parks, this stately Victorian has the builder’s initials elaborately carved in the front door, but he never lived in the house. Although it was evidently purchased by an attorney, a realtor and a New York investment firm, it was unoccupied until 1907. The style of the house is both “Stick” – cypress siding, asymmetrical molding and windows, and linear porch columns and balusters – and “Queen Anne” – dominant gables, fishscale shingles, decorative corbels and finials, and hexagonal bay construction on two sides of the home. The wraparound front porch leads to two different front doors, each with a morning-glory etched glass.[ more information ]

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The Eriksen Home

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The Queen Anne and Shingle style home located at 209 Grand Avenue in Waxahachie has silently presided over the town since it was first built in 1896. Enormous proportions, including a large expanse of porches, ornamentation and even an octagonal tower create a sense of wonder and mystery. Who built this home and what stories does it have to tell?

H. W. Trippet was a banker and civic leader in Waxahachie in the late 1890’s. The home he built at 209 Grand Avenue reflected Mr. Trippet’s esteemed position in the community. Unique architectural details are lavishly displayed – cedar fish-scale shingles, two wrap-around porches, and a porte-cochere for the carriage to drop off the family or guests without having to brave the elements. A large stone used as a carriage stop still remains to this day. [ more information ]