Chautauqua Auditorium

The Chautauqua Auditorium is an octagonal wooden building in Getzendaner Memorial Park with movable windows and seating for about 2,500 people. The space was designed for theater and music performances as well as major community events.

The building was constructed in 1902 by architect E.S. Boze and became central to the Chautauqua movement, which spread educational programs and entertainment. It received recognition as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1972 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The name comes from the Chautauqua movement, an educational initiative that combined learning with entertainment for communities. The building still stands as a reminder of how it served as a gathering place where people came together for performances and public discussions.

The venue is centrally located in Waxahachie and easy to reach, with ample parking nearby. The building is accessible from the outside and the interior spaces accommodate various types of events.

The two sides of movable windows allowed natural air circulation on warm days and made it an innovative design for the early 1900s. This practical solution shows how early architecture dealt with climate long before artificial air conditioning arrived.

Location: Waxahachie

Address: Getzendaner Park

GPS coordinates: 32.39611,-96.86611

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:02