Ellis County Courthouse
The courthouse’s turn-of-the-century ventilation system was unique in that it operated by using the central staircase as an airshaft. Air constantly circulated into the central corridor where it was lifted out through the “wind chimney” at the top of the stairs. The 20-inch thick red sandstone and pink granite walls allowed the occupants to stay relatively cool in the heat of the Texas summers - without air conditioning!
As you walk around the courthouse, look at the exquisite and unique sandstone carvings that decorate the building. Note how the female faces in the column capitals transform from beautiful to hideous — which has given rise to local legend that the mason who carved the faces was jilted by his local love during the time he created the carvings.
The Ellis County Courthouse was restored through the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.