 Visitors often ask "Where did the saying 'One Riot, One Ranger' originate?" In order to better answer this question, the Museum now has an exhibit exclusively on this legend and the Fitzsimmons vs. Maher prizefight in 1896.
The “One Riot, One Ranger” legend apparently originated when Captain William "Bill" McDonald was sent to prevent an illegal prizefight between Fitzsimmons and Maher. According to the story, McDonald was met at the train by the mayor who then asked: “Where are the others?” McDonald then replied: “Hell! ain’t I enough? There’s only one prize-fight!”
The illegal prizefight was moved to a sandbar in the Rio Grande, just outside of Texas' jurisdiction. Bob Fitzsimmons knocked out Peter Maher in 95 seconds, capturing the heavyweight championship of the world in one of the oddest boxing fights in history. The exhibit is located inside Morris Gallery.
 In January 2022, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame received its largest bequest in its 60+ year history from the estate of Samuel E. McClendon of Waco, a donation of $1.2 million. A portion of the money was set aside for the production of a new documentary film to be shown in the Hall of Fame. The Texas Ranger Association Foundation (TRAF) led the charge on producing it.
The documentary covers Ranger history from 1823 through the Bicentennial year 2023. It will begin running in August in the Hall of Fame. Visitors can enjoy the show at 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 3:00pm. We appreciate the effort of everyone at TRAF who helped make this dream a reality and the McClendon estate for financing this big undertaking.
 Completed in 2020, the parking lot expansion has hit its fifth anniversary. The additional spaces increased our capacity to over 100 cars. The expansion was funded by the City of Waco and the Tax Increment Finance board. It has seen significant use on Baylor game days, during Knox Center banquets and more. We appreciate the ongoing support of our parent agency, the City of Waco.
 It was another successful summer with Home on the Range and Texas Ranger Talks programs. Guest speakers included Major Wende Wakeman, Ranger Nicole Martin and Retired Ranger Matt Cawthon. During Home on the Range, reenactment groups Texas Top Guns and Legends of the Texas Rangers set up a late 1800s camp scene and walked visitors through a Ranger timeline from 1823 to the 1960s. Guests also were treated to collaborations with author Bob Alexander, the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA) and local coffee food truck Stirrup Coffee Co. We appreciate everyone who attended these events and look forward to their return next summer.
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Based upon archival materials including Walker’s own letters, this new book is an in-depth biography of Texas Ranger Samuel H. Walker (1815 - 1847).
Samuel H. Walker is best known as the Texas Ranger who met with gun inventor Samuel Colt. His discussions with Colt resulted in the creation of the Walker Colt pistol in 1847.
The book features a short forward by Byron A. Johnson, Director Emeritus of Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.
The books will be available for purchase in our Gift Shop in early August.
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Please join us in congratulating Dr. Christine Nix (retired Texas Ranger, Co. “F”, Waco). Dr. Nix has been nominated by Governor Greg Abbott as a 2025 Texas Women’s Hall of Fame Honoree. She will be inducted later this year, on November 6, at Texas Women’s University (TWU) in Denton, TX.
Created in 1984 by the Texas Governor's Commission for Women, the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes women who have attained significant achievements in areas such as the arts, community service, education, leadership, health, science and business. Inductees include former First Ladies, astronauts, entrepreneurs and Olympic athletes.
Texas Woman’s University houses a permanent exhibit saluting these women. Since its founding more than a century ago, TWU has become known for its contributions and leadership in the fields of education, nutrition, the arts, sciences, and especially in the nursing and health care professions. TWU is America’s largest public university primarily for women.
 Congratulations to Company “D” Texas Ranger William “Edward” Groves, who received the 2024 South Texas Region Chiefs Award in Corpus Christi. In early July, the South Texas Region leadership, led by Regional Chief De La Garza and our Majors, hosted an award ceremony to recognize troopers and others for their outstanding work in the prior year.
In the center, Ranger Groves holds his award surrounded by Texas Rangers, including Co. “D” Major Billy Jack Mims in the navy suit to his right.
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