BlockBefore

Ellis County, Texas

101 topographic sheets cover 55 settlements here, and 122 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

122 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Texas within the United States
Ellis County within Texas
Explore by year 1879 1902

What the record shows

  • 656 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 122 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 113 buildings and 9 districts.
  • 3 of the 122 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 55 populated places in this county; 55 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

122

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
F. R. Adamson Housebuilding198686002485
J. M. Alderdice Housebuilding198686002443
G. H. Alderman Housebuilding198686002446
I. R. Allen Housebuilding198686002387
E. K. Atwood Housebuilding198686002504
Barkley-Floyd Housebuilding198686002389
Barrington Housebuilding198686002365
J. S. Berry Housebuilding198686002386
E. T. Boren Housebuilding198686002436
Building at 441 East Mainbuilding198686002437
Building at 500-502 East Mainbuilding198686002440
T. J. Bullard Housebuilding198686002340
Central Presbyterian Churchbuilding198786002362
Oscar H. Chapman Housebuilding198686002479
Joe Cohn Housebuilding198686002492
Cole-Hipp Housebuilding198686002445
Coleman-Cole Housebuilding198686002522
Roy Connally Housebuilding198686002388
George C. Dillon Housebuilding198686002378
G. G. Dunkerly Housebuilding198686002364
D. D. Eastham Housebuilding198686002526
Ellis County Courthouse Historic Districtdistrict197575001971
Ennis Commercial Historic Districtdistrict198686002547
Ennis Cotton Compressbuilding198686002449
Ennis High Schoolbuilding198686002425
J. R. Erwin Housebuilding198686002520
Fain Housebuilding198686002501
Farrar Housebuilding198686002454
Ferris Schoolbuilding199090001858
W. B. Forrest Housebuilding198686002451
Dr. L. H. Graham Housebuilding198686002497
Highway Garagebuilding200303000278
E. M. Hines Housebuilding198686002430
House at 104 Kaufmanbuilding198686002417
House at 106 East Dentonbuilding198686002397
House at 106 Kaufmanbuilding198686002419
House at 111 Brownbuilding198686002347
House at 111 Williamsbuilding198686002476
House at 113 East Rossbuilding198686002448
House at 1301 East Marvinbuilding198686002521
House at 1423 Sycamorebuilding198686002488
House at 301 Turnerbuilding198686002487
House at 320 East Marvinbuilding198686002527
House at 404 East Crockettbuilding198686002379
House at 418 North Collegebuilding198686002367
House at 500 North Main, Eastbuilding198686002439
House at 501 North Grandbuilding198686002408
House at 508 North Dallasbuilding198686002381
House at 509 West Brownbuilding198686002371
House at 512 North Grandbuilding198686002409
House at 523 Highlandbuilding198686002416
House at 625 Cantrellbuilding198686002352
House at 700 South Rogersbuilding198686002344
House at 703 South Collegebuilding198686002372
House at 708 East Brownbuilding198686002368
House at 712 East Marvinbuilding198686002525
House at 722 West Madisonbuilding198686002426
House at 802 East Ennisbuilding198686002429
House at 803 Cantrellbuilding198686002353
House at 806 South Dallasbuilding198686002393
House at 807 North Prestonbuilding198686002529
House at 810 North Prestonbuilding198686002532
House at 816 Cantrellbuilding198686002358
House at 816 West Waterbuilding198686002480
House at 901 Cantrellbuilding198686002360
Jolesch Housebuilding198686002452
Joshua Chapel A.M.E. Churchbuilding198686002345
J. D. Kirven Housebuilding198686002489
William Koger Housebuilding198686002435
Samuel Langsford Housebuilding198686002523
William Lewis Housebuilding198686002524
Matthews-Atwood Housebuilding198686002537
Matthews-Templeton Housebuilding198686002410
McCanless-Williams Housebuilding198686002540
McCartney Housebuilding198686002519
Meredith-McDowal Housebuilding198686002500
Moore Housebuilding198686002398
W. B. Moore Housebuilding198686002447
Morton Housebuilding198686002457
National Compress Company Buildingbuilding198786002400
Neal Housebuilding198686002505
North Rogers Street Historic Districtdistrict198686002465
Joe Novy Housebuilding198686002376
Old City Millsbuilding198686002431
Oldham Avenue Historic Districtdistrict198686002461
Oldham, Mary and Frank Housebuilding198686002496
Paillet Housebuilding198686002339
Marshall T. Patrick Housebuilding198686002341
M. S. Payne Housebuilding198686002413
E. F. Phillips Housebuilding198686002498
Plumhoff Housebuilding198686002342
Mary Ralston Housebuilding198686002375
Ransom Housebuilding198686002456
Raphael Housebuilding198686002428
M. B. Ray Housebuilding198686002477
W. B. Reinmiller Housebuilding198686002444
Paris Q. Rockett Housebuilding198686002343
Rosemont Housebuilding198282004504
Saint Paul's Episcopal Churchbuilding198686002495
James S. Sanderson Housebuilding198686002420
Second Trinity University Campusdistrict198786002458
Sharp Housebuilding198686002423
O. B. Sims Housebuilding198686002441
John Solon Housebuilding198786002453
Jesse and Mary Story Housebuilding198686002373
Strickland-Sawyer Housebuilding198484000168
Telfair Housebuilding198686002473
Judge M. B. Templeton Housebuilding198686002402
D. H. Thompson Housebuilding198686002433
Trippet-Shive Housebuilding198686002404
Richard Vickery Housebuilding198686002528
Waxahachie Chautauqua Buildingbuilding197474002070
Waxahachie Lumber Companybuilding198786002424
Weatherford Housebuilding198686002503
John M. Weekley Housebuilding198686002406
West End Historic Districtdistrict198686002474
West Marvin Avenue-Patrick Street Historic Districtdistrict2024100010757
Porter L. Williams Housebuilding198686002383
Williams-Erwin Housebuilding197878002926
Pat Witten Housebuilding198686002349
Wyatt Street Shotgun House Historic Districtdistrict198686002463
Wyatt Street Shotgun House Historic Districtdistrict198686002463

Bird's-eye views and land ownership maps

3

Drawn when these were printed as single large sheets: the town seen from the air, and the county divided into its farms with every owner named. Each opens the original at the Library of Congress.

Land ownership map, 1879 - Ellis Co., Texas
Land ownership map (1879) - Ellis Co., Texas. Library of Congress.
Land ownership map, 1889 - Map of Ellis County
Land ownership map (1889) - Map of Ellis County. Library of Congress.
Land ownership map, 1902 - Nelson & White's official map of Beaumont : compiled from official data and reliable surveys
Land ownership map (1902) - Nelson & White's official map of Beaumont : compiled from official data and reliable surveys. Library of Congress.

Photographs from libraries nationwide

3 of 5 shown

Selected from the Digital Public Library of America's 5 image records catalogued for this county. Every one shown here carries a public-domain status or a licence that permits reuse on a site that carries advertising; non-commercial, share-alike and restricted images are excluded. The selection is spread across the county's towns (at most eight per town), so no single institution's bulk upload crowds out the rest. Each opens the holding library's record, and the complete set at the Digital Public Library of America is one click away.

La Resté Motel and café, Waxahachie, Texas, Boston Public Library - undated
La Resté Motel and café, Waxahachie, Texas. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Ray Griswold Motors, Sales - Lincoln - Mercury - Service, Boston Public Library - undated
Ray Griswold Motors, Sales - Lincoln - Mercury - Service. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.
Rose Motel, Highway 75, Ennis, Texas, Boston Public Library - undated
Rose Motel, Highway 75, Ennis, Texas. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.

The county from the air

43 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 1,159 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 43 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-05, scale 1:69000
1953-01-05, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-05, scale 1:69000
1953-01-05, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-05, scale 1:69000
1953-01-05, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1953-01-05, scale 1:69000
1953-01-05, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-03-22, scale 1:34000
1955-03-22, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-03-22, scale 1:34000
1955-03-22, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-03-22, scale 1:34000
1955-03-22, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-03-22, scale 1:34000
1955-03-22, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-01-11, scale 1:34000
1956-01-11, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-01-11, scale 1:34000
1956-01-11, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-01-11, scale 1:34000
1956-01-11, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-01-11, scale 1:34000
1956-01-11, scale 1:34000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-03-20, scale 1:18700
1960-03-20, scale 1:18700. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-03-20, scale 1:18700
1960-03-20, scale 1:18700. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-03-20, scale 1:18700
1960-03-20, scale 1:18700. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-03-20, scale 1:18700
1960-03-20, scale 1:18700. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-07-28, scale 1:18000
1961-07-28, scale 1:18000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-07-28, scale 1:18000
1961-07-28, scale 1:18000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-07-28, scale 1:18000
1961-07-28, scale 1:18000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-07-28, scale 1:18000
1961-07-28, scale 1:18000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-03-12, scale 1:17600
1964-03-12, scale 1:17600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-03-12, scale 1:17600
1964-03-12, scale 1:17600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-03-12, scale 1:17600
1964-03-12, scale 1:17600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1964-03-12, scale 1:17600
1964-03-12, scale 1:17600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-09-19, scale 1:24000
1968-09-19, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-09-19, scale 1:24000
1968-09-19, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-09-19, scale 1:24000
1968-09-19, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-09-19, scale 1:24000
1968-09-19, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-03-20, scale 1:21670
1969-03-20, scale 1:21670. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-03-20, scale 1:21670
1969-03-20, scale 1:21670. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-03-20, scale 1:21670
1969-03-20, scale 1:21670. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-05-02, scale 1:104599
1970-05-02, scale 1:104599. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-05-02, scale 1:104599
1970-05-02, scale 1:104599. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-05-02, scale 1:106738
1970-05-02, scale 1:106738. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1970-05-02, scale 1:104257
1970-05-02, scale 1:104257. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-05-13, scale 1:100084
1972-05-13, scale 1:100084. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-05-13, scale 1:100084
1972-05-13, scale 1:100084. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-05-13, scale 1:102176
1972-05-13, scale 1:102176. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-05-13, scale 1:104549
1972-05-13, scale 1:104549. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-11-13, scale 1:64400
1982-11-13, scale 1:64400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-11-13, scale 1:64400
1982-11-13, scale 1:64400. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-11-13, scale 1:64916
1982-11-13, scale 1:64916. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1982-11-13, scale 1:64916
1982-11-13, scale 1:64916. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

71 stations, 5 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

67 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 70-1Justice Precinct 1: Waxahachie city: Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; Coleman, Lake Park Ave. Marvin Ave. Kaufman, Ross; Broadhead Rd.
  • 70-2Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by City limits; Broadhead Rd., Ross, Kaufman; Parks Ave.; College, Marvin Ave., Brown
  • 70-3Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by City limits; Brown; Ross; Harbin Ave. Sycamore, Bryson, Dallas Rd., City limits, excluding an area entirely surrounded by Waxahachie city but not a part thereof, and which is located as follows: west of Texas Electric Railway and northeast of Kirksey
  • 70-4Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by City limits; Dallas Rd., Bryson, Sycamore, Harbin Ave.; Ross; E. University
  • 70-5Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by City limits; E. University, Marvin Ave., Patrick; Texas and New Orleans Railroad; City limits
  • 70-6Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by Texas and New Orleans Railroad; Hawkins; City limits; City limits
  • 70-7Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by Ross; Brown; Marvin Ave.; E. University
  • 70-8Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by Marvin Ave.; College; Texas and New Orleans Railroad; Patrick
  • 70-9Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by Parks Ave.; Kaufman, Aiken; Jefferson; College
  • 70-10Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by Marvin Ave., Lake Park Ave., Coleman; Wyatt; Aiken; Kaufman
  • 70-11Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by Wyatt; City limits; Jefferson; Aiken
  • 70-12Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by Jefferson; City limits; City limits; Texas Electric Railway, College
  • 70-13Waxahachie city - That part Bounded by Texas and New Orleans Railroad; College; Waxahachie Creek; City limits, Hawkins
  • 70-14AWaxahachie city - That part Bounded by Waxahachie Creek; Texas Electric Railway, City limits; City limits, old city limits; City limits
  • 70-14BWaxahachie city - That part Bounded by City limits, Old city limits; City limits; City limits; City limits
  • 70-15Justice Precinct 1 - That part north of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, and east of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Waxahachie city, including a land area entirely surrounded by Waxahachie city but not a part thereof and which is located as follows: west of Texas Electric Railway and northeast of Kirksey
  • 70-16N/A
  • 70-17Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of an Unnamed road leading westward from Waxahachie to precinct line, and west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Waxahachie city
  • 70-18Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, north of Prong Creek, and east of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, outside Waxahachie city
  • 70-19Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of Prong Creek, north of Big Onion Creek, and east of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad
  • 70-20Justice Precinct 1 - That part south of Big Onion Creek, and east of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad
  • 70-21Justice Precinct 2: Ferris town: Ferris town - That part Bounded by Town limits; Town limits; County Rd., 8th; Railroad
  • 70-22Ferris town - That part Bounded by Town limits; Railroad; 6th, Wood, County Road; Town limits
  • 70-23Ferris town - That part Bounded by County Rd., Wood, 6th, Railroad, 8th, County Rd.; Town limits; Town limits; Town limits
  • 70-24Palmer town
  • 70-25Justice Precinct 2 - That part north of Red Oak Creek and Bushy Creek, and east of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, outside Ferris town
  • 70-26Justice Precinct 2 - That part west of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, and north of Bushy Creek, outside Ferris town
  • 70-27Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of Bushy Creek and west of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, outside Palmer town
  • 70-28Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of Red Oak and Bushy Creeks, and north of Bristol - Palmer Rd. extended to Red Oak Creek, outside Palmer town
  • 70-29Justice Precinct 2 - That part south of Palmer - Bristol Rd. extending to Red Oak Creek and south of Red Oak Creek
  • 70-30Justice Precinct 3: Bardwell city
  • 70-31Ennis city: Ennis city - That part comprising Ward 1 Bounded by E. Ennis Ave., State Hwy. 34; City limits; City limits; S. Main
  • 70-32Ennis city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by W. Ennis Ave.; S. Main; City limits; S. Preston
  • 70-33Ennis city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by U.S. Hwy. 287, W. Ennis Ave.; S. Preston; W. Lampasas, S. Clay, W. Lampasas, Hall, Joly; City limits
  • 70-34Ennis city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by Joly, Hall, W. Lampasas, S. Clay, W. Lampasas; S. Preston; City limits; City limits
  • 70-35Ennis city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by City limits; N. Main; W. Ennis Ave.; N. Sherman
  • 70-36Ennis city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by City limits; City limits, N. Sherman; W. Denton; N. Clay, City limits
  • 70-37Ennis city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by City limits, N. Clay, W. Denton; N. Sherman; W. Ennis, U. S. Hwy. 287; City limits
  • 70-38Ennis city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by City limits; City limits; State Hwy. 34, E. Ennis Ave.; N. Shawnee, E. Denton, N. Shawnee, E. Freeman, Daffan Ave.
  • 70-39Ennis city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by City limits; City limits, Daffan Ave.; E. Freeman; N. Main, City limits
  • 70-40Ennis city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by E. Freeman; N. Shawnee, E. Denton, N. Shawnee; E. Ennis Ave.; N. Main
  • 70-41Justice Precinct 3 - That part east of Smith Creek, south of State Hwy. 34 and northeast of Village Creek
  • 70-42Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of Smith Creek, north of State Hwy. 34 and northeast of Village Creek
  • 70-43Justice Precinct 3 - That part southwest of Village Creek, north of Walker Creek and Creechville - Ennis Rd. and east of Texas and New Orleans Railroad, outside Ennis city and Sonoma town
  • 70-44Justice Precinct 3 - That part west of Texas and New Orleans Railroad and north of State Hwy. 34 and Waxahachie Creek, outside Ennis city
  • 70-45Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of Ennis - Creechville Rd., south of Walker and Village Creeks and northeast of Texas and New Orleans Railroad
  • 70-46Justice Precinct 3 - That part east of State Hwy. 34, southwest of Texas and New Orleans Railroad and northeast of Waxahachie Creek, outside Ennis city
  • 70-47Justice Precinct 3 - That part southwest of Waxahachie Creek, and North of Big Onion Creek, outside Bardwell city
  • 70-48Justice Precinct 3 - That part south of Big Onion Creek
  • 70-49Justice Precinct 4: Milford town
  • 70-50Justice Precinct 4 - That part north of U.S. Hwy. 77, and east of a Metal surfaced road leading northward from U.S. Hwy. 77 to precinct line
  • 70-51Justice Precinct 4 - That part west of a Metal surfaced road leading from precinct line southward to U.S. Hwy. 77, and north of U.S. Hwy. 77, outside Milford town
  • 70-52Justice Precinct 4 - That part south of U.S. Hwy. 77, outside Milford town
  • 70-53Justice Precinct 5: Maypearl town
  • 70-54Justice Precinct 5 - That part northeast of International and Great Northern Railroad, outside Maypearl town
  • 70-55Justice Precinct 5 - That part southwest of International and Great Northern Railroad, outside Maypearl town
  • 70-56Justice Precinct 6: Midlothian city: Midlothian city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; City limits; Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, 9th, U.S. Hwy. 67
  • 70-57Midlothian city - That part Bounded by City limits; U.S. Hwy. 67, 9th; Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway; City limits
  • 70-58Justice Precinct 6 - That part east and south of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, outside Midlothian city
  • 70-59Justice Precinct 6 - That part northwest of Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, outside Midlothian city
  • 70-60Justice Precinct 7: Justice Precinct 7 - That part east of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad
  • 70-61Justice Precinct 7 - That part west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad Justice
  • 70-62Precinct 8: Italy town: Italy town - That part east of International and Great Northern Railroad
  • 70-63Italy town - That part west of International and Great Northern Railroad
  • 70-64Justice Precinct 8 - That part southeast of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad and International and Great Northern Railroad, outside Italy town
  • 70-65Justice Precinct 8 - That part west of Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, and International and Great Northern Railroad, outside Italy town
  • 70-66Sonoma town

Wildfire, 2005 to 2020

906 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 906 of them, burning about 18,346 acres. 11 started naturally and 25 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning383
Missing data/not specified/undetermined286
Equipment and vehicle use117
Smoking35
Arson/incendiarism25
Power generation/transmission/distribution24
Misuse of fire by a minor16
Natural11
Recreation and ceremony5
Railroad operations and maintenance4

The five largest, by the area the report gives. One of them was set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
30 March 2006Missing data/not specified/undetermined6,000 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
18 April 2006Equipment and vehicle use1,280 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
18 April 2006Equipment and vehicle use700 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
3 August 2018Power generation/transmission/distribution508 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceGIFCO
16 March 2006Arson/incendiarism500 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
5 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined375 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceSPENCE ROAD FIRE
14 October 2015Missing data/not specified/undetermined320 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceUNION HILL
10 February 2008Debris and open burning300 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1956 to 2026

60 of 926 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 926 reports for this county, causing 3 deaths, 148 injuries and about $80,612,080 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail437
Thunderstorm Wind304
Flash Flood100
Tornado63
Lightning10
Flood9
Heavy Rain2
Wildfire1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 2004Flash FloodOvilla2 killed, $20,000Two men drowned when they drove their trucks across a bridge that had been washed out from flash flooding around 445 AM.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindEnnis Muni Arpt1 killed, 4 hurt, $9,000A RV was blown over and rolled several times at the Texas Motorplex near Ennis. One man was killed and 4 others were injured.
December 2015Tornado (EF3)Sardis46 hurt, $8,360,000This tornado produced a long and narrow damage path from just northeast of the Mid-Way Regional airport near Midlothian to the Ellis County line. The tornado then continued into Dallas County. Sixty-seven single family homes were affected, with 23 of these being completely destroyed. The strongest portion of the tornado occurred near the Ellis / Dallas County line, with EF3 damage observed in both counties.
April 1971Tornado (F2)not stated20 hurt, $250,000no account filed
April 1958Tornado (F2)not stated18 hurt, $250,000no account filed
November 1994Thunderstorm WindMaypearl17 hurt, $5,000High winds blew down power poles at the Maypearl football stadium injuring 17 people. Power lines were blown down in Maypearl.
December 1984Thunderstorm Windnot stated10 hurtno account filed
May 2021Tornado (EF2)Five Pts8 hurt, $1,500,000Damage started in the Five Points area along FM 876. The tornado continued northeast, and the first signs of EF-2 damage were observed near Johnston and Hollis Roads. The tornado then crossed I-35E where it struck 3 semis and one cargo van. Three injuries occurred in this location. Next, the tornado struck a scrap metal yard on the east side of I-35E and moved on to damage homes and electrical towers near and along HWY 77 and Butler Ln. EF-2 damage was also observed in this area, in particular to one home. Maximum estimated winds were 120 mph, and there were 5 additional injuries in this area. The tornado tracked farther east, did EF-2 damage to one home on FM 55, and then crossed FM 55 and dissipated.
April 1992Thunderstorm Windnot stated7 hurtno account filed
November 1983Tornado (F2)not stated6 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
March 1961Tornado (F3)not stated4 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
December 1984Thunderstorm Windnot stated3 hurtno account filed
May 1957Tornado (F1)not stated2 hurt, $25,000no account filed
April 1971Tornado (F2)not stated1 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
May 2013Tornado (EF1)Ennis1 hurt, $650,000National Weather Service storm survey crews determined a tornado produced EF-1 damage to downtown Ennis, before continuing to move northeast.
December 2008Thunderstorm WindWaxahachie1 hurt, $3,000Tiles and light fixtures were damaged at a Wal-Mart due to high winds. One of the tiles fell on an occupant in the vision center, sending them to the hospital.
April 2021HailItaly$20,000,000no account filed
October 2019Tornado (EF1)Midlothian$10,000,000The tornado began near Highway 67 and 9th Street on the north side of Midlothian and traveled east for approximately 2.8 miles. Several church and retail buildings experienced blown out windows and roof damage. One of the buildings connected to the Lighthouse Church was heavily damaged with the collapse of the southward facing wall and much of the roof removed. Just to the east of Highway 67, sheet metal was peeled on two buildings and metal roof purlins were bent on one. This damage was consistent with winds of 100 to 110 mph, and EF-1 intensity. The tornado weakened some as it headed east and crossed into a residential area south of Mockingbird Lane. Damage indicates the tornado intensified in the area of Morning Dove Lane and Pheasant Drive. Several homes experienced significant roof damage, uplift of the roof deck of at least one home, some windows blown out, a garage door collapsed, and several trees were uprooted. This type of damage was consistent with wind speeds of 100 to 110 mph, or EF-1 intensity. The tornado weakened before ending near Walnut Grove Road.
July 2004Flash FloodWaxahachie$5,000,000There was widespread flash flooding in and around Waxahachie. There were numerous high water rescues, a trailer park near Red Oak was evacuated, several bridges were under water, and many roads were flooded and closed. Over 100 homes had flood damage.
November 1994Thunderstorm WindWaxahachie$5,000,000An apartment complex in Waxahachie was heavily damaged. Total damage in Ellis County was estimated at $5 million.
November 1994Thunderstorm WindRed Oak$5,000,000High winds damaged or destroyed 82 homes and 19 businesses. Damage was estimated at $3 million.
October 1993HailWaxahachie$5,000,000Hail damaged over 60 new cars. Nearly all the windows in a funeral home were broken, and numerous homes and businesses had roof damage.
October 2019Tornado (EF0)Ferris$1,000,000A tornado touched down briefly near Main Street and Highway 45/Central Street in Ferris. A silo near 7th and Main Street sustained damage and partially collapsed. There was roof damage to multiple business buildings south of 5th Street and along Main and Central Streets. A downed power pole and an uprooted tree were also noted in the same area. The damage was consistent with winds speeds between 75 and 85 mph, or EF-0 intensity. Sporadic wind damage was found across other potions of Ferris with damage mainly to trees and roofing.
April 2022Thunderstorm WindWard$600,000The RFD of the supercell that produced the EF-0 tornado west of Midlothian caused considerable wind damage south of the path. Along Miller and S Weatherford Roads barns, sheds, trees and roofs were damaged. The LaSalle Corporation business building along Hwy 67 sustained significant roof damage to metal panels on the west side of the building. On the west side of Midlothian, an 18 wheeler was overturned at the Love's Truck Stop.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindWaxahachie$600,000Significant roof damage was reported in Waxahachie. The damage was surveyed by the NWS and straight-line winds around 80 mph were confirmed. A warehouse on the south side of town lost most of its roof. An apartment complex on Franklin Street sustained partial roof loss and damage to brick walls. Damage also occurred to the roof of the Comfort Suites near I-35E and Hwy 287 on the north side of the city. Along I-35E, the Stelco Industries building was nearly destroyed. Heavy machinery at the plant was moved. The awning at a gas station at the Walmart along I-35E also collapsed.
March 2003HailEnnis$500,000275 cars were damaged by a brief hailstorm. The roof of the showroom was also damaged.
February 1993Thunderstorm WindWaxahachie$500,000A day care center was unroofed and power lines were blown down by strong wind.
February 1993Tornado (F1)Red Oak$500,000Eight houses were damaged and power lines were knocked down.
June 2012HailMidlothian$300,000Baseball sized hail was reported at Highway 67 and 9th Street on the north side of Midlothian.
June 2012HailLone Elm$300,000Ping pong ball sized hail was reported 3 miles south of Midlothian.
May 2000Thunderstorm WindEnnis$300,000The roof of an industrial building was blown off by strong thunderstorm wind. Large tree limbs were blown down and thirteen homes were damaged by falling trees. Fifty seven homes suffered minor damage and numerous fences were blown down.
June 2000Flash FloodCountywide$300,000Numerous county and farm market roads were closed due to flash flooding. A trailer park in Red Oak had to be evacuated due to flooding and a house in Palmer flooded.
July 2012LightningWaxahachie$271,000Waxahachie Fire Department reported that 5 houses were struck by lightning around 8 PM CDT in the city of Waxahachie. Four of the houses caught fire with varying amounts of damage. One home suffered $80,000 worth of damage, while another house only had minor damage and suffered $1,000 worth of damage. The two other homes suffered $150,000 and $40,000 of damage.
April 2015Flash FloodLone Elm$250,000Flash flooding occurred in downtown Waxahachie resulting in water several feet deep in some businesses. The College St Pub, Waxahachie Police Department, and Ellis Associate Surveyors, all located close together between North College St and North Jackson St, reported flooding in their buildings. Outside the pub, the water was estimated to be 3-4 feet deep. Up to 3 inches of rain fell in less than 2 hours.
September 2010Thunderstorm WindReagor Spgs$250,000Strong thunderstorm winds, possibly from a microburst, turned over several portable buildings at a business in Reagor Springs. The roofs were torn off a few of the portable buildings and nearly all 18 were damaged. A mobile home on the same property was turned over and landed on two vehicles. Also in Reagor Springs, trees were knocked down and shingles were torn off roofs.
May 2007Thunderstorm WindMilford$250,000Seventeen electrical towers were knocked down. Numerous power lines and poles were also knocked down. About 30,000 homes lost power. A gas pump fell on top of the passenger cab of a truck. The man inside was not injured.
March 2004Tornado (F1)Bardwell$250,000Trees and storage buildings were damaged south and southeast of Bardwell. In the south part of Ennis, a mobile home was unroofed and several 18 wheelers were blown over. A 3 year old 3,000 sq ft house was destroyed. A warehouse/office building along Interstate 45 had most of it's roof removed. Another 18 wheeler on Interstate 45 was blown over.
May 1978Tornadonot stated$250,000no account filed
March 1957Tornadonot stated$250,000no account filed
April 1956Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
May 2015Flash FloodGifco$200,000Homes on the west side of Highway 287, across from Lake Padera, were flooded.
August 2014LightningWaxahachie$200,000The local newspaper reported lightning started a fire at Bent Tree Townhomes in Waxahachie. The fire damaged the roof of 4 units, which affected 18 families.
March 2007Flash FloodFerris$200,000Numerous roads were closed across the county, including Interstate 45 near Ferris and Palmer. Across the county, several homes were flooded, and fifteen bridges were damaged by flood waters. Cars were also submerged near Waxahachie.
March 2002LightningMaypearl$200,000A lightning caused fire destroyed a home near Maypearl.
June 2012HailMidlothian$160,000Golf ball sized hail was reported on Highway 287, 3 miles east of Highway 67 near Midlothian.
March 2004Tornado (F1)Italy$150,000A mobile home was unroofed southeast of Italy and numerous barns and outbuildings were damaged. A family was trapped in a collapsed mobile home in Avalon, and another mobile home was blown over.Southwest of Avalon a high tension tower was bent over.
May 2015Tornado (EF0)Howard$120,000Amateur radio operators observed a tornado to the east and southeast of Waxahachie. The tornado produced damage to homes, fences, and storage buildings as it moved to the northeast. As many as twenty homes suffered at least minor damage, with only one home suffering more than shingle damage.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindSonoma$100,000Broadcast media reported nearly the entire roof of the Days Inn on I-45 at Newcrest was blown off along with some second story walls.
May 2024HailService$100,000A public report indicated 2-inch diameter hail near the intersection of US Highway 77 and Dart Way in Waxahachie.
June 2023HailService$100,000A 3.75 inch hail stone was measured in a photo.
June 2012HailMidlothian$100,000Slightly larger than quarter sized hail was reported in Midlothian.
March 2007Flash FloodWaxahachie$100,000A swift water rescue was required in downtown Italy after two occupants abandoned a flooded vehicle. Numerous other roads were flooded and closed countywide, including Highway 77, portions of Interstate 45, CR 878 near Palmer, Edmonds Road, East Pecan Road, and West Pecan Road in Forreston. Water also flooded a house to a depth of several feet in Waxahachie. Several roads and bridges were washed out due to the heavy rains.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindRed Oak$100,000Widespread wind damaged was caused by thunderstorms.
April 1999Thunderstorm WindWaxahachie$100,000A school cafeteria was destroyed by thunderstorm winds.
May 2021HailWaxahachie$100,000no account filed
July 1996LightningWaxahachie$100,000no account filed
July 1996Heavy RainEnnis$100,000no account filed
April 2026HailEnnis$75,000Social media photo on X showed 2.5 inch hail in Ennis.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindBardwell$75,000Thunderstorm winds were estimated to be near 90 to 100 MPH in Bardwell. Numerous trees in and around the town were reported to be flattened.
September 2009Flash FloodBritton$75,000Significant flooding was reported across Ellis County from heavy rainfall that fell in just a few hours. It was reported that over 10 of rain fell in parts of the northern portions of the county. Water was reported over the road at Interstate 35E, mile marker 395. Water was over the road on Highway 77 near Italy and high water rescues were reported in the Ferris area. A local newspaper listed several roads that were closed around the county, including part of the I-35E service road, the service roads along I-45 (in the Palmer area), and numerous County Roads and Farm-to-Market roads around the county. Another local newspaper also reported that the water was 3 feet deep in Bristol on FM 660.

Mines and quarries

10 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 10 workings inside this county. All of them still produce. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Clay3
Stone, Crushed/Broken3
Limestone, General, Stone, Crushed/Broken2
Stone, Crushed/Broken, Clay, Limestone, General2

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Gifford-Hill Cement PlantStone, Crushed/Broken, Clay, Limestone, GeneralProducer
Midlothian Gifford-Hill QuarryLimestone, General, Stone, Crushed/BrokenProducerLimestone, Shale
Midlothian Quarry & MillStone, Crushed/Broken, Clay, Limestone, GeneralProducer
Midlothian Texas Industries QuarryLimestone, General, Stone, Crushed/BrokenProducerSedimentary
Ferris Clay Pit & PlantClayProducer
Gifford-Hill Clay PitClayProducer
Gifford-Hill Quarry & PlantStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Stephens PitStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Texas Industries Cement PlantStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Texas Industries Clay PitClayProducer

Every populated place in the county

55

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.