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Early settlers of Ellis County came predominantly from the southern part of the
United States. Ellis County itself was created in 1849 with land taken from
Navarro County. A number of Czechs, Hungarians and Germans settled in the county
during the 1850s. The most profitable business was cattle raising because of the
mild climate and the native grasses covering the fertile prairies. The
Waxahachie Tap Railroad was completed in 1879, and carried Waxahachie's vast
cotton crop to market. Like many other counties in this part of the state, Ellis
County had a period of great growth from about 1880 to 1930.
Waxahachie was incorporated in 1871, but was already a thriving community. The
arrival of the first railroad in 1879 assured even more growth and prosperity.
Other communities, cities and towns within Ellis County include Alma, Bardwell,
Cedar Hill, Ennis, Ferris, Garrett, Glenn Heights, Grand Prairie, Italy,
Mansfield, Maypearl, Midlothian, Milford, Oak Leaf, Ovilla, Palmer, Pecan Hill,
Red Oak and Venus.
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