Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
Contents
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum is proudly sponsored by the City of Waco and sanctioned by the State of Texas and is located on the banks of the Brazos River. We preserve the history of the Texas Rangers, a legendary symbol of Texas and the American West, and inspire admiration for them.
Texas Ranger Museum Exhibits
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum is a must-see for any lover of history and the great state of Texas. With its numerous exhibits, it has something to offer everyone – from the history buff to the casual tourist. Here are some highlights:
Lone Star Legacy
This exhibit explores the rich history and legacy of the Texas Rangers, from their formation in 1823 to the present day. It features artifacts, photographs, documents, and other memorabilia to bring this remarkable story to life.
Rangers on Film
This exhibit takes visitors on a cinematic journey, featuring iconic films and television shows that have featured the Texas Rangers. Viewers can get an up close look at props, costumes, scripts, and much more – all of which have been used in beloved productions.
Guns of the West
As any fan of westerns knows, the gun was essential in settling the American west. This exhibit allows visitors to explore the weapons used by Texas Rangers over the years, from pistols to revolvers to shotguns. A must-see for any firearm enthusiast.
Butch Cassidy’s Storeroom
This interactive exhibit focuses on perhaps the most famous outlaw in American history: Butch Cassidy. Visitors can explore his entire hideout – from his living quarters to his tools of the trade – providing an immersive experience into the world of Butch Cassidy and his infamous Hole-In-The-Wall gang.
With these and many other exhibits, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum will surely provide an unforgettable experience.
Texas Rangers History
There’s been plenty written about the famed Texas Rangers. Movies have been made, books have been written, and stories have been told. Never has there been such a hardy bunch of robust and dedicated lawmakers as the men (and women) who have worn the Texas Star.
They were always known as a tough bunch of lawmen, from the early days up to the present. Since their inception in 1823, an estimated 8,000-10,000 Texas Rangers have served the Lone Star State – first the Republic, then the state – the oldest state law enforcement agency in North America. And their stories are many and varied.
The Texas Rangers are a legacy that is steeped in folklore and legend, but their history stretches further back than most people realize. Established in 1823, the Rangers were formed to protect frontier settlers in the early days of a young nation expanding westward. Operating with little or no structure for the first three decades, the Rangers soon became renowned for their ability to bring justice to lawless areas of the state.
In the mid-1800s, the Rangers experienced their first period of professionalization and organization under the leadership of Colonel John “Rip” Ford. He sought to reorganize this ragtag group of men into an official militia known for its bravery and effectiveness in pursuit of outlaws. His efforts paid off; by the late 1800s, the Rangers had become a highly respected force within the state, known both for their honor and sense of responsibility to those they served.
Today, the Texas Rangers remain one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in America and continue to fight crime and uphold justice against all odds. While times have changed, their commitment to their mission remains unwavering – ensuring that a proud history will carry on through future generations.
Ask just about anybody on the street and they’ll tell you, the best-known law enforcement agencies worldwide include Scotland Yard, Pinkertons, the Royal Mountain Canadian Police – and leading the pack for most – the famed TEXAS RANGERS.
Why? Perhaps former Ranger Capt. Bob Crowder put it best, “a Ranger is an officer who is able to handle any given situation without definite instructions from his commanding officer, or higher authority. This ability must be proven before a man becomes a Ranger.”
One writer said that a Texas Ranger could “ride like a Mexican, trail like an Indian, shoot like a Tennesseean, and fight like the devil.”
Well – whatever you call them, however you might describe this bunch of law-loving roughnecks of the early West, one thing is for certain: They have worked their way into the history books as one of the best fighting groups and protectors of the law that mankind has ever seen. And their legacy lives on!
The TEXAS RANGER HALL OF FAME in Waco is a monument to these brave men who have given Texas so much of its colorful and robust history. Be prepared to spend at least a day at the museum enjoying the exhibits, the library and the collected history of this profound and historical organization.
The Texas Legislature officially created the museum as the official Repository, Library and Archives and duly appointed by the Texas Department of Public Safety – the Mother Organization to which the Rangers belong.
Museum Director Byron Johnston writes:
“…the Texas Ranger is one of the most cherished symbols of the Lone Star State, a positive and enduring icon of Texas and America. Many families take immense pride in having a relative who was, or is, a Texas Ranger. Past and present ranks include Texans of Hispanic, Anglo-European, African, American Indian and Asian ancestry. We who serve at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum find our mission a source of inspiration. It is an opportunity to live daily with what I like to call the Ranger Ideal.”
Ray Coffman, the present-day Rangers Senior Captain, says the Ranger tradition lives on in the 21st Century.
“The modern Texas Rangers are an investigative division of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The 116 Rangers authorized by the Texas Legislature are posted across Texas in six companies headquartered in Waco, Houston, Midland, Garland (the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex), Lubbock, and San Antonio with an administrative office in Austin. An Unsolved Crimes Investigative Team is located in San Antonio. They have been called one of the most effective investigative law enforcement agencies in the world.”
The HALL OF FAME memorializes 30 Texas Rangers who gave their lives in the line of duty or served with great distinction. Inductees are selected by a committee of serving and retired Rangers.
A visit to the Hall of Fame & Museum will give you historical insight into the lives and service of these select men, and will offer information about the Ranger organization and its important role in Texas history. Students will particularly enjoy the many programs offered with them in mind. And parents may enjoy some time in the library and research center where they can discover if some of their own distant relatives were perhaps a member of the elite – Texas Best.
The museum is located at Interstate 35 and University parks Drive in Waco. Hours are:
Monday thru Sunday
Opens 9 am
Last Guest Admitted at 4:30 pm
Closes 5 pm
Research Center (library) Hours Vary
Please Call for an Appointment
Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas
and New Years Days
Admissions Fees are Adults: $5.00, Children (6-12): $2.50, and children under 6 free