Texas Ranger Bicentennial™
1823 - 2023
The Texas Rangers, America’s oldest state law enforcement agency, are gearing up for their landmark 200th anniversary: The Texas Ranger Bicentennial in 2023. As part of the upcoming anniversary, there will be commemorations, lectures and presentations, publications and more! You are invited to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event!
“Honoring the historic 200th Anniversary involves an obligation—to protect that unique Texas heritage and convey its meaning to future generations.”
- Hank Whitman, former Chief of the Texas Rangers
The Significance of the Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers are the longest serving statewide public safety agency in the United States. Their achievements, and the lessons learned over seven generations of service, have resulted in a public safety service into one now internationally respected.
The Texas Rangers were formed in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin under the authorization of José Félix Trespalacios, the Governor of the Mexican State of Texas. They are the only law enforcement agency to have served under five national flags:
- The Mexican State of Texas in 1823
- The Republic of Texas 1836-1845
- The US State of Texas 1845-1861
- The Confederate State of Texas 1861-1865
- After reconstruction as a US State from 1870-Present
A glimpse of this history can be found on the timeline at https://archive.texasranger.org/texas-ranger-museum/history/timeline/
Of Multicultural Origins
Over the span of three centuries Native Americans, Tejanos, Anglo-Europeans, African-Americans and Asian-Americans, men and women, have served at all ranks from Ranger to Chief.
Popular Culture
The Texas Rangers are also a fixture of American popular culture — they are America’s largest and oldest, dating back to early books and songs (1840s), the earliest years of movies (1910), radio (1933) and television (1949). They have been featured in more than 225+ motion pictures and in seven television series from the Lone Ranger to Walker Texas Ranger. Amazon currently lists more than 3,000 books in print about the Texas Rangers.
Texas Ranger 2023
In 2021 the Texas Public Safety Commission sanctioned an organization, Texas Ranger 2023, to spearhead commemorations of the anniversary throughout the State. Celebratory activities will be handled by citizens committee of the Texas Ranger Bicentennial 2023 organization. TEXAS RANGER BICENTENNIAL™ 2023 Three organizations central to the Texas Rangers will be participating:
The Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation - The Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation is a community-focused nonprofit organization that develops innovative projects to support DPS officers and employees.
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum - The mission is to disseminate knowledge, collect and preserve the heritage, and encourage understanding of the history and service of the Texas Rangers, a legendary symbol of Texas and an America.
The Texas Ranger Association Foundation - The mission of the Texas Ranger Association Foundation (“TRAF”) is to support active and retired Texas Rangers and immediate family members through scholarships, financial assistance, and operational support in service to the citizens of Texas. TRAF works to preserve and perpetuate the history and heritage of the Texas Rangers through public education and by supporting the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.
TRHFM and Bicentennial Activities
- The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, the official repository of Texas Ranger memorabilia, first began preparing for the Bicentennial in June 2012 with the opening of the Tobin and Anne Armstrong Texas Ranger Research Center. Since 1976, the Texas Ranger Research Center has served more than 120,000 researchers worldwide. Legislatively-designated as official repository in 1997 for Ranger photographs and documents, its resources have been used to trace Ranger ancestors and create books, TV programs and documentaries, novels, and films that have reached millions.
- In January 2016, we began a “Bicentennial Publications Program” to recognize quality works of nonfiction and reprints of classic works contributing to the knowledge and appreciation of Texas Ranger history. In this way a permanent legacy has been created for the future. The program exceeded expectations with over 15 books accepted as of January 2022.
- In 2018, the Texas Rangers/Texas DPS authorized the addition of current badges to the TRHFM collections for their 200th anniversary. Current badges are tightly controlled and are produced only by specific warrant from the Texas Rangers. After we called for sponsors, Fred Bucy III of Fischer, Texas, donated the gold 50-peso coins to bring the collection up to date. Kevin Johnson, of Johnson Bits & Spurs, graciously offered to create examples of the eight current ranks: Texas Ranger, Lieutenant, Staff Lieutenant, Captain, Staff Captain, Major, Assistant Chief and Chief. It is especially meaningful in that Kevin is one of just two artisans authorized to make the badges for the Texas Rangers. By tradition, they are made from Mexican silver five-peso, gold-plated and gold 50-peso coins. We are deeply grateful for this gift and will be displaying it during the Bicentennial year.
- Improvements to the Museum’s exhibits and galleries have been a long-term goal. In the early years, the Museum displays were made of pegboard and lacked interpretation. TRHFM has moved to modernize and incorporate hands-on activities to engage visitors. Some of the more recent upgrades include “Distinguished Service: The Retired Texas Rangers” with its online database, “Texas Rangers on the Border: 1901-1919” exhibit addressing a darker time period of Ranger history, “Pop Culture” gallery highlighting The Lone Ranger collection and many more improvements!
- The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum and the City of Waco contracted with international museum and attractions consultant Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) of Cincinnati to develop a comprehensive plan for the future of the Museum. Founded in 1964 and opened in 1968, TRHFM has welcomed more than 4 million visitors over its 53 years of service. Originally designed for 20,000 visitors a year, it was welcoming almost 100,000 persons worldwide before the 2020 COVID Pandemic. This study looked at how the TRHFM is serving citizens and could serve citizens with investment in its building, exhibits, programs in the future. A plan was proposed to the TRHFM advisory board and City Waco Council.
For current events, please visit the Texas Ranger Bicentennial 2023 organization.
TEXAS RANGER BICENTENNIAL™ 2023
