CHAUTAUQUA AUDITORIUM

This building is one of the few octagonal shaped auditoriums in the United States, built in 1902 in the heart of Getzendaner Park. Chautauqua is the name of a religious and educational movement that began on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in 1874. Exported to Waxahachie, the Chautauqua Auditorium quickly became a place of sociability, discussion, education and entertainment for the residents. The days were devoted to Bible study and education, but in the evenings, concerts, readings, performances, or political speeches enlivened the amphitheater.