Elm Avenue: Waco's Front Porch

Created on February 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM

Novich's Dry Goods on Elm Avenue in the early 1900s. Photo Courtesy of the Texas Collection.

Elm Avenue has been a vital artery of Waco for nearly as long as the city itself. Just 25 years after Waco’s founding, Elm Avenue had already established itself as a bustling commercial hub, stretching from the banks of the Brazos River to the Dallas Highway (now known as Hillsboro Drive). For travelers arriving from the north, Elm served as Waco’s front porch, and later, it became the route of the Texas Electric interurban rail line, connecting Waco to Dallas and beyond.

Commercial Roots

By the end of the 1800s, Elm Avenue flourished with a diverse mix of businesses, including grocers, lawyers, blacksmiths, drug stores, meat markets, and saloons. In 1881, the arrival of Paul Quinn College at Elm Avenue and Garrison Street with its students and faculty further added to the bustle in the area.

Elm Avenue’s commercial presence intensified in October 1913 when the interurban railroad began offering service between Waco and Dallas. The tracks crossed the Brazos River on a bridge between the Washington Avenue Bridge and the Suspension Bridge before traveling up Elm Avenue and on north. It operated until the last run on Jan. 1, 1949.

Mid-Century Challenges

East Waco’s low elevation near the Brazos River caused the neighborhood to be especially vulnerable to heavy rains. The most severe floods that left Elm Avenue submerged in water were in 1885, 1913, and 1936. These disasters highlighted East Waco’s susceptibility to the Brazos River’s unpredictable nature — a stark contrast to the growing commercial activity along Elm. The construction of the Lake Whitney Dam and the new Lake Waco Dam have since controlled the floods.

The mid-20th century, however, brought challenges. Like many urban areas, by the 1970s and into the 1980s, Elm faced a downturn. While the street struggled, the community recognized the need for revitalization. In October 1984, a majority of Elm Avenue business owners voted in favor of a tax abatement district to encourage reinvestment on the street.

Amidst these challenges, some businesses persevered. In 1989, Marilyn Banks opened Marilyn’s Gift Gallery at 818 Elm, and she continues in business there today. However, the closure of Paul Quinn College in 1990 when it moved to Dallas was a major blow to the street and neighborhood.

Revitalization Efforts Begin

East Waco Library mural.

Discussions continued for several years on how best to revitalize the street. The 1990s and early 2000s saw a renewed focus on Elm Avenue’s future. The street’s inclusion in the public improvement district in 1996 marked a turning point.

In January 1997, Monica Johnson opened M.J. Variety Store at 825 Elm Ave., becoming the first business to open on the street after its inclusion in the PID. In 1998, Providence Hospital opened a clinic at Elm Ave. and Peach St. The clinic lasted until the doctor left in October 2001 to open a private practice. However, it reopened when Family Health Center (now Waco Family Medicine) began operating a clinic in February 2003. Even with these positive developments, the closure of the long-standing Kestner’s Department Store in 2003 served as a reminder of the challenges of urban renewal.

The story of Elm Avenue is one of resilience, and good things were still to come. In 2011, Waco Fire Station #1 opened at Peach St. and Elm Ave. after relocating from University Parks Drive. Following that was the opening of Lula Jane’s Bakery at 406 Elm Ave. in 2012, which added more energy to the revitalization of the street. In 2016, the Jockey Club barber shop at 809 Elm reopened four years after closing when the last two barbers retired.

From Riverfront Hub to Modern Main Street

A major streetscape project started in early 2020 to transform Elm Avenue. The addition of the Bridge Street Front Porch public plaza provided a new community gathering space. The completion of the Elm Avenue reconstruction in 2024, featuring new sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping, breathed new life into the street. Coupled with the development of new hotels along nearby Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Elm's resurgence was undeniable.

In 2025, from MLK to Garrison, Elm Avenue is alive with activity ranging from long-time occupants like the Jockey Club Barber Shop and Marilyn’s Gift Gallery alongside newer establishments, including East Waco Library, Rapoport Academy, and multiple recently opened businesses. Elm Avenue is also home to the Waco Farmers’ Market, art festivals, the Juneteenth Parade, and more.