Hi Neighbors!
If you have ever been through this part of Texas and skipped the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum you sure missed out on a very informational and interesting stop. My sons of course were interested in the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, but so was the rest of my family. This museum includes the history of the Texas Rangers. From the very beginning in 1835 right up to modern day Texas Rangers. You will discover the tools of the trade, how things have changed through the years, and information on different well-known Texas Rangers. You will be able to find out about Rangers in the media, both written and television, movies and radio. Just a little tidbit here that we learned was for every opening in the Texas Rangers, they receive up to 200 applications.
We arrived about 1:30 and it takes about 2 hours to go through the entire museum and to watch the 45 min video. The video is very informative and all my children sat through the entire viewing. It gives quite a bit of the history of the Rangers. It included several little interesting facts, such as:
Texas is a big state-over 260,000 square miles of land.
The Texas Rangers have been around more than 170 years.
Texas Rangers are respected as the best of the best.
Mexicans at one point called the Rangers Los Diablos Tejanos. (The devil Texans)
When you first enter there is a large room with busts of Texas Rangers on a shelf near the ceiling.
From TRFM:
The legendary Texas Rangers are the oldest state law enforcement agency.
The official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum is conveniently
located off Interstate 35 in Waco, TX. Visitors learn about the history of the
Texas Rangers through exhibits, which include badges, firearms, saddles,
photographs, and other artifacts on display. Take exit 335-B to see how the
Texas Rangers have crushed crime since 1823. The Museum is open 9:00
am to 5:00 pm with the last guest admitted at 4:30 pm daily and closed on
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Or visit:www.texasranger.org
After you pay a very reasonable admission:Adults and children over 13 are $7 each. Seniors (over 60) are $6. Children 6-12 are $3. You enter the first display room. The first thing you see is a figure (representing a Texas Ranger) on a horse.
There are also 3 wooden rocking horses that children can sit on with a scene in front of them where you can take a really nice picture.
On the wall beside the rocking horses is a display of Colt Revolvers. My sons enjoyed looking at and reading about these pistols. I have to admit, I enjoyed it too! There is a lot of information on the different types of Colt Revolvers.
Another display was of ropes and lariats that Rangers used.
Nearby you could see several of the badges Texas Rangers wear and have worn.
My son especially liked this Ranger. His quote is:"No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow that's in the right and keeps on a-coming." Capt. Bill McDonald
In another room there is a good size display on Bonnie and Clyde and the Officer who eventually brought them down. Between April 23rd 1932 and May 23rd 1934 Bonnie and Clyde were involved in many crimes, that included:
*The murder of at least 12 people, 9 of whom were law officers.
*At least 11 armed robberies.
*4 kidnappings
*3 major gun battles with police
*2 prison breaks
February 10, 1934 Lee Simmons head of the Texas Prison System hired former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer as a Special Investigator to track down Bonnie and Clyde. 102 days later they ambushed the couple just outside of Gilesland, Louisiana at 9:15 am on May 23, 1934 after deciding they could not capture them alive.
This is just one of the examples of the types of items you will see and information you will learn. The picture below shows how Rangers used to camp when out on duty. Not exactly an easy job.
This one shows the difference between then and now. The Changing Face of Crime. It displays the different weapons and how they have changed.
The Texas Rangers Hall of Fame that surrounds the theater area. In this hall there are specific displays set up honoring outstanding Texas Rangers. The one directly below is of Stephen Austin.
This one below is obviously more recent.
While this one shows several different weapons.
There is an entire room devoted to Texas Rangers in comics, books, on the radio, television, and in the movies. The section on the Lone Ranger had an interesting little fact:Gingham Bread one of the shows sponsors wanted the Lone Ranger's horse called Gingham. Can you hear it now, "Hi Yo Gingham!". Just doesn't have the same ring!
Here are several games, records, books, and cereal premiums that were based on the Texas Rangers.
If you like, your child can sign up to become a Junior Ranger. Just visit www.texasranger.org.
And of course you can not visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum without visiting the Gift Shop!
There is even a small area where your children can dress up and you can take their picture.
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum is a must visit if you are in the area of Waco. It is well worth your time, and you will come out with a respect for the Texas Rangers and their history. Really friends I only touched on a portion of what you will see. My husband, as a father of six children, who loves history, believes this is one of the best museums to visit! Make sure to visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum website at:www.texasranger.org and take a look around.
Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this review. I did receive free admittance to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. All quotes are from the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum website or email. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
