“One riot, one ranger,” is a phrase made famous by Texas Ranger Captain W.J.
McDonald in the very early 1900’s. McDonald was called upon by a mayor to
stop a forbidden prize fight and ease an angry mob. When stepping off the train
by himself, the puzzled mayor asked, “Where are the others?” To that McDonald
replied, “Hell, ain’t I enough? There’s only one riot, isn’t there?”

It was the reputation of McDonald and early Texas Rangers that personified an
icon of rugged individualism, courage, honesty and virtue. They have created an
image that criminals fear and children idolize.

The legendary Texas Rangers are the oldest state law enforcement agency. They
celebrated their 200th anniversary in 2023. Tracing its lineage back to 1823,
Rangers have served through three centuries under five flags—Mexico, the
Republic of Texas, the State of Texas, Confederate Texas and the US again.

The official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum is conveniently located off
Interstate 35 at the Brazos River in Waco, TX. Visitors learn about the history of
the Texas Rangers through exhibits, which include badges, firearms,
photographs, and other artifacts on display. In addition, children will enjoy a
bandit hunt. The Texas Rangers, with their cowboy hats and silver stars on their
shirt pockets, remain an important part of our heritage.

Sponsored by the City of Waco, more than four million persons have visited its
museum, hall of fame, research library, Ranger headquarters building and
banquet facilities. Texas Highways magazine readers ranked it one of the Best
Texas Museums, USA Today called it one of the nation’s outstanding Halls of
Fame, and True West Magazine titled it the Best Western History Museum in
Texas.

The museum is open Monday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with group rates available.
Guided tours can be booked at least 2 weeks in advance of arrival with staff
availability. For more information, call 254-750-8631 or visit TexasRanger.org.