Photos by Q Concepts
When it comes to the country's best-known law enforcement organizations, few can hold a candle to the Texas Rangers. Its fame can only be rivaled by the notoriety of some of the legendary outlaws its Rangers killed or captured, such as Sam Bass and John Wesley Hardin, along with present-day criminals such as Angel “The Railroad Killer” Resendiz. It's only fitting that someone erected a shrine to the officers who've served in its ranks. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco not only provides a rich history of the Rangers' role in protecting the community, it also offers outreach and educational programs.
In 1823, Stephen F. Austin asked for a group of 10 men to volunteer as Texas Rangers to help settlers repel Native American attacks in the early days of the frontier. Today, after almost 200 years in existence (the oldest state law enforcement body in the country's history), it continues its law enforcement activities as a statewide investigative agency. And, unbeknownst to many, women also serve within the ranks.
Founded in 1964, the state gave permission to Waco to construct the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, which opened its doors in 1968. Tours are self-guided unless you have 10 or more people, in which case guided tours can be requested. The museum is divided up into several galleries, starting with the history of the earliest known days of the organization and working its way up to present-day activity.
Beginning with the Garrison Gallery, you'll see a timeline of Ranger history and how their weapons advanced over the course of their evolvement. You'll then find your way into the Morris Gallery, which follows the Rangers into the Prohibition Era and covers their encounter and shootout with Bonnie and Clyde. In the adjoining Brownfield Gallery you'll see examples of criminal weapons and modern examples of cases worked by the Rangers.
When you cross over into the Taub Gallery you'll find a display of Ranger and Western art as well as Ranger family legacies. This will lead you to the Hall of Fame Lobby where photographs of current Rangers are on display. The adjacent theater shows a 45-minute documentary on the Rangers produced by The History Channel that repeats five times daily.
The last leg of the tour brings you to the Pop Culture Gallery, where you'll see everything from the likes of Chuck Norris' portrayal of Walker, Texas Ranger to a mask worn by Clayton Moore, who played the Lone Ranger during the 1950s. The museum's educational programs exist both onsite and offsite, and the museum also contains a research center that does genealogy inquiries if you think a Ranger has been in your family.
Young ones have plenty of opportunities to stay busy with programs for Scouts as well as the Junior Texas Ranger program. Teachers even have the opportunity to bring students for classes on surveying, crime scene investigation, and basic skills required to serve in the ranks of the Texas Rangers. Thinking of holding a banquet? The facility even offers rental of their 6,000-square-foot John Knox Texas Ranger Memorial Center for your next event.
You won't leave without learning something new, and a knowledgeable staff is on hand to answer any questions about the exhibits. Firearms and history buffs will have no shortage of eye candy and opportunities to see exhibits they won't find anywhere else. And if you were hoping to find anything on Rangers baseball, sorry, you'll have to go to the Globe Life Park in Arlington for that.
Address
100 Texas Ranger Trail
Waco, TX 76706
Hours
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday; last guest admitted at 4:30 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and during heavy snow and ice
Admission
Adults: $7, children (6-12): $3
Children under 6 free
Seniors (60+): $6 | Military (with ID): $6
Telephone
(254) 750-8631
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