Ellis County Museum - Ellis County Courthouse Historic District - Waxahachie, TX - NRHP Historic Districts - Contributing Buildings on Waymarking.com

The most elaborate example of the High Victorian Italianate Style in the (Ellis County Courthouse Historic) district is the (former) Masonic Building on the Southeast corner of Franklin at College Streets. Built in 1889 as an office commercial structure in conjunction with the Masonic Temple, the building displays typical tall and narrow windows with stilted segmental and rounded arches. Brick pilasters flank either side of the double windows on the West facade. A profusion of decorative Victorian motifs embellish the tin cornice that caps the composition.

Essentially unaltered from its original plan with only minor exterior deviations, the structure has been the focal point of major Masonic functions for many years. The property has recently been acquired by the Ellis County Historical Museum and Art Gallery for use as the headquarters for their annual "Gingerbread Trail" pilgrimage.