Site of Old Texas Cotton Palace

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)