At this point, I think my love of Texas and its history has been firmly established, so it should be no surprise that I happily promote any institution or organization with Texas history as its mission. Our history includes everything, from great military heroes to cowboys, from famous outlaws to brave lawmen. When it comes to great lawmen in Texas, the first thing that should spring to mind are the best of the best, the Texas Rangers. For me, the very mention of Texas Rangers, brings to mind men like Bigfoot Wallace, John Coffee “Jack” hays, Ben McCulloch, and Frank Hamer, and the tenacious spirit these men exhibited in the pursuit of law and order. From their inception in the 1820’s to the present day, the Rangers have embodied the rugged individualism, bravery, and commitment to duty that Texans pride themselves on. Texas Rangers are a focal point of my western novels, and I have spent many hours researching their history and the men who have worn the badge, which was originally formed from Mexican Pesos. In all of my research, The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas has been an invaluable resource. Through artifacts, documents, genealogical research, and educational programs, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum keeps the spirit and mission of the Texas Rangers alive for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.
As an author of western novels with a slightly romantic bent, the notion of “one riot, one Ranger,” has always appealed to me, and while this motto may be more apocryphal than historically accurate, the spirit of this ideal has been alive and well in everyone who has worn the Ranger badge. The historical records of the Texas Rangers are also the history of Texas, and they closely parallel each other as Texas grew from a lawless frontier to economic powerhouse, and thankfully, every one of them also offers an endless supply of great story ideas.
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 1976 as a memorial for the 150th anniversary of the Texas Rangers. The complex included a small library which housed a few documents, service records, and photographs. Through the years the collection has grown, and with it, so has the inquiries for research, so now the museum employs a full-time research staff. The collection of records has grown so large that it’s recognized by the Texas Legislature as an official repository of archives for the state of Texas. For this reason, the Museum holds a special place in the hearts of people like my wife, whose passion is genealogy, and whose family line includes a former Texas Ranger.
The museum is divided into several galleries, which give various perspectives on the Rangers and some of their more memorable missions. From their search for the captured Cynthia Ann Parker to battles against prohibition era gangsters to modern investigations, photographs, newspaper clippings, and personal accounts give visitors the real stories. They also have an extensive collection of firearms used by the Rangers and criminals alike, and for an avid gun enthusiast like myself, it’s worth the trip to Waco just to see the historic guns. There is also a gallery of western art, as well as one with photographs of current Rangers, and at the end of the tour, there is a 45-minute documentary on the history of the Texas Rangers.
The museum is open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm, and the last guest is admitted at 4:30pm.
Admission is:
Adults-$7
Children-$3 (3-12)
Children under 6-free
Seniors (60)-$6
Military (with ID)- $6
Of all those that made Texas the great state it is, none have done more than the Texas Rangers, so no study of Texas history would be complete without learning about them and their exploits. The Museum offers a comprehensive look at the Rangers, but we should not forget that it began life as a memorial, so it also stands as a symbol of respect to a law enforcement agency and all those that have worn the badge. If a person is able to visit only one site of historical significance in Texas, they could not visit any better place to learn what Texas is all about than the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Now saddle up, get out there, and enjoy all that the great state of Texas has to offer.
©12/27/2017