WAXAHACHIE Fire investigatorsin Waxahachie are trying to figure out what caused the early morning fire Tuesday that destroyed a historic downtown building.
Crewsfromfour communities battled thetwo-alarmfire that reportedly started inside the 1879 Chisholm Grill.
The fire was spotted at 4:45 a.m.on the second floor of the1879 Chisholm Grill in the 100 block of South College Street. The flamesquickly spread to nearby businesses inside the same building, all of them on the National Historic Registry.
David Hudgins, the Waxahachie fire chief, said alarms inside the restaurant did not sound when the fire started. Waxahachie police officers on patrol spotted the flames and reported the emergency.
When firefighters arrived, the flames had already shot through the roof. Once the floor collapsed, the flames spread quickly and spread into the other businesses in the building.
The Chisholm Grill, which opened two weeks ago under new ownership, was destroyed.
I actually had my first job waiting tables at that restaurant, said City of Waxahachie spokeswoman Amy Hollywood. It's been here as long as I can remember.
Restaurant owner Scott Otto said he has insurance and will rebuild, but there's no replacing the memorabilia dating back to the days when the restaurant began as a general store in the 1800s.
Otto said he will rebuild.
We're a very strong, tight-knit town, everybody sticks together, he said. So, I don't think this will change anything. We'll continue to stick together and move on.
The restaurant dates back to the 1800s, which was when it was a general store along the Chisholm Trail.
In the 1920s, the historic spot became a popular local restaurant and later served as a backdrop for movies like Places in the Heart and The Trip to Bountiful and Tender Mercies.
Also damaged in the fire were nearby businesses in the same building, including a law office, a barber shop, a gift shop and an antique store.
Fire officials said an enclosed city park housing a memorial for fallen officers, which is located on the side of the restaurant, was not damaged.
Hollywood said the fire destroyed a piece of history that was a critical part of the city's economy and the site of so many memories for those who live here.
I hate to see anything change around here, said Ellis County native Jan Beckham. It'll never be the same again.
The charm of the old buildings help fuel Waxahachie's current tourist boom. Julie Campbell moved from Pennsylvania to the small town 25 miles south of Dallas. She said it reminded her of a Norman Rockwall painting.
Campbell sold antiques, but she lost them all in the fire.
I want to cry because we ate at the Chisholm Trail all the time and... I just want to cry, she said.
Email: cvega@wfaa.com and greaves@wfaa.com
