 Join us for a book signing event with historian Joe Pappalardo as he shares his new book, Boom Town: The True Story of the Wickedest Town in Texas, on Saturday, April 25th from noon to 3:00 p.m. There will be a short Q&A with Mr. Pappalardo at 2:00 p.m. in the Hall of Fame.
Just a year after the town of Borger, Texas was founded, the press called it "the wickedest in the state". It had become a lawless haven for bootleggers, pimps and gamblers, run by a crooked city hall. After the murders of three law enforcement officers, the arrival of legendary Texas Ranger Captain Frank Hamer threatens to break even this hardest boomtown in America―if it doesn't kill him first.
Mr. Pappalardo also has authored Red Sky Morning: The Epic True Story of Texas Ranger Company F. Both books will be available for purchase and autographing.
From April 11th through April 25th, the Texas Ranger Museum will be a collection place for the United Way Summer Book Drive. Other locations include the Bledsoe Miller STEAM Center, Dewey Community Center, Doris Miller Community Center and South Waco Community Center. Donors can drop off new and "gently used" childrens' books, especially ones geared towards preschool-age to 3rd grade level, at the Museum during the donation period. In addition, the Museum gift shop will offer its selected childrens' books at 10% off for donation purchases. United Way will distribute the books to designated agencies and summer camp programs. Thank you for your book donation.
The City of Waco will soon begin improvements to the Brazos River Riverwalk in the area ranging from Jackson Avenue to the Baylor Law School, including areas of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. This will impact parking behind the Museum where Knox Center and Ed Center are accessed.
The Riverwalk Redevelopment Project will enhance the riverfront experience by reconstructing a trail, installing new lighting and landscaping, and improving gathering and viewing areas along the Brazos River. These upgrades support continued investment and improvements within Waco’s downtown riverfront district.
Construction is estimated to be complete in January 2028. During this time, the affected section of the Riverwalk will remain closed for public safety. This will block off parking in the vicinity as well.
We appreciate your patience as these improvements are completed. If you have questions about the project, please contact the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department at 254-750-5980.
 Joining our library pass program is Hillsboro City Library in Hillsboro, Texas. The pass program also is available at the libraries in Hewitt, McGregor, Moody, and Waco. Library members can check out a family pass for up to four people to visit the museum within one week of check out. This is a great opportunity for local residents to visit and promote the Museum to their community as well as friends and family outside the local area.
Our collections team has been hard at work with our reorganization project! Approximately 600 items from our collection have been systematically photographed, assessed for preservation concerns, and given new barcoded ID tags. Additionally, staff members are designing and building custom boxes to suit our more unusually sized items, as seen here with our holster collection. This project is set to continue over the next year with our entire collection of 7,500 artifacts.
Our annual Spring Break Round Up event was on March 14th. Ranger Danny Dao presented on the modern Rangers and our reenactment groups delighted visitors with historic tools and firearms, a game of jump rope, and biscuits cooked from a chuck wagon.
 We look forward to our next family day, Home on the Range, on Saturday, June 13th. We hope to see you there.
On March 3rd, Texas Ranger Lieutenant Scott Stevenson spoke to the Lubbock Law Enforcement Citizens Academy Alumni Association about the mission and responsibilities of the Texas Ranger Division. He also shared insight into providing security for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team as they represent Texas Tech University.
On March 5th, Texas DPS Sergeant Torres and Texas Ranger Aranda had the opportunity to visit students at Nolen Richardson Middle School in El Paso to talk about careers in law enforcement and the mission of DPS.
During the visit, students learned about the role of State Troopers, the responsibilities of a Texas Ranger, and the many ways DPS works every day to keep Texas communities safe. The presentation also gave students a chance to ask questions and learn what it takes to pursue a career in public service.
We are saddened to announce that Mr. Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris has passed away at age 86. (March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026) He will forever be remembered as Texas Ranger Cordell Walker in the television show Walker, Texas Ranger which aired from 1993-2001. He also starred in the movie Lone Wolf McQuade in 1983. After a vote from the Texas Public Safety Commission, Texas Governor Rick Perry presented Chuck and his brother Aaron with the title of Honorary Texas Ranger on December 2, 2010.
 Norris' production company "Top Kick Productions" donated props from the show in 1997. These included his black cowboy hat, a western shirt featuring tiny Ranger badge buttons, a western style jacket and his silver Ranger badge used in filming Walker, Texas Ranger. These items are on exhibit in the Pop Culture Gallery.
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It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Retired Texas Ranger and Sheriff Milton T. Wright on March 6, 2026 at age 89. Born in Rogers, Texas, Milton served in the United States Navy before joining Texas DPS in 1961. He served in both Driver's License and Texas Highway Patrol divisions until his promotion to Seargeant with Company A in 1981. Stationed in Richmond, Ranger Wright specialized in Cold Case and Hypnosis. He retired in 1995 and went on to serve as Sheriff of Fort Bend County from 1997 to 2012. |
Wright is linked to one of the darkest days in U.S. history. He was in Dallas and part of security detail the day John F. Kennedy was killed in 1963. Please visit KHOU-11 Houston to watch an interview about that day.
Ranger Wright served the people of Texas with honor, integrity, and dedication throughout his distinguished career in law enforcement.
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Retired Texas Ranger Jerry Clements passed away on March 23, 2026 at age 87. Jerry Tom Clements was born on November 19, 1939 in Hill, Texas to Virgie and Fred Clements. He joined the Texas DPS, and promoted to the Rangers in 1969 and served in Companies A and C. He resigned from the Rangers at the end of 1976 and later worked for Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office for a number of years. Ranger Clements resided in Richmond, Texas. |
The Tobin and Anne Armstrong Texas Ranger Research Center houses Ranger biographical files, archival materials, historic books and other documents. These records date back to the founding of the Rangers in 1823 and include information about many Rangers, both famous and unknown. These biographical files are currently stored in regular filing cabinets.
We are beginning a fundraising campaign to purchase fireproof cabinets to safely store this important historical information. These cabinets (just a few pictured below) will not only protect the records we already have but will have enough room to add information as we continue to research.
This project is estimated to cost around $40,000, and we need your support. We are currently accepting donations and hope that as you plan your giving this year, you will include the Armstrong Research Center in your gifting. Please make checks payable to the Center with “fireproof campaign” in the memo line or mention that designation when paying by phone to use a credit card. Our phone is (254) 750-8631. Thank you.
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