Marker Inscription
Founded in 1894, when Waco was cotton capital of the South. After first exposition to mark end of cotton season, original palace burned; was rebuilt, 1909. Exposition each November had grand royal coronation; nobility came from Texas cities, other states and foreign countries. Featured farm crops, animals; a "warpath" of sideshows; parades, football games, auto shows, horse races and other attractions. The 10,000-capacity coliseum was the setting for grand opera, concerts, coronation balls, shows from Broadway, debutante balls. After 1930, property was sold. (1966)
About this site
Site of Old Texas Cotton Palace is a historical marker in Waco, McLennan County, dedicated in 1966. It is one of 198 historical markers documented in McLennan County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 224 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 31.5458, -97.1342 near Waco. The nearest cataloged historic site is Ross Oak, The (historical marker), about 0.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Austin Avenue Methodist Church, Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, and First Presbyterian Church of Waco.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5309004863. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
