January 2021
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Newsletter
Sponsored by the City of Waco
Official State Historical Center of the Texas Rangers
Home of Texas Ranger Bicentennial 1823-2023
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The newest addition to the Retired Ranger exhibit in the Hall of Fame features the three generations of Texas Rangers in the Dendy family. When Kirby Dendy joined the ranks of the Texas Rangers in 1987, he also joined an elite group of father-son Texas Rangers. John Dendy, Kirby’s father, was promoted to Ranger in 1973 and was still on active duty when his son joined the Rangers in 1987. Kirby Dendy retired in 2014 after 43 years of service with Texas DPS and promotions to the rank of Chief of the Texas Rangers. John worked the high-profile Amy McNeil kidnapping case in 1985, which resulted in the safe recovery of the 13-year-old girl.
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In 2019, the Dendy family would build upon that father-son legacy as Kirby Dendy’s son Travis was promoted to Ranger. Travis is the lead Ranger on the high-profile murder investigation of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillén in April 2020. So far in his career as Ranger, Travis has investigated Capital Murders, Officer Involved Shootings, Assaults, and many other criminal investigations. |
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Do you know what is one of the largest items in the museum collections? This 1930s horse trailer! The trailer has a hinge door and canvas top, with clear plastic front "window". The canvas sides can be rolled and tied up for air flow. They are still used in terrain and brush unsuitable for modern ATVs. The trailer is on exhibit in the camp scene diorama in the Hall of Fame Gallery. |
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Although the first Texas Ranger company took to the field on foot in 1823, horses rapidly became indispensable. A tradition of Texas Ranger horsemanship was born melding Hispanic and Anglo-European equipment and styles. After the Civil War railroads became the primary means of transport for Rangers over long distances. Horses were carried along in freight cars or supplied at the destination.
In the 1920s automobiles replaced horses in urban areas. They were unreliable, and saddles and tack were carried along in the case of breakdowns.
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After the founding of Texas DPS in 1935, horse trailers were issued to Ranger companies and hauled into the field behind State cars. The trailer was issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and could be hitched to a DPS vehicle to transport two horses.
The advent of four-wheel drive trucks, SUVs, helicopters and ATVs have superseded horses, but they are still used in areas unsuitable for modern vehicles. The Texas Department of Corrections supplies horses for operations in the field. Today, some Rangers have little experience on horseback, while others have even competed in the professional rodeo circuit.
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Reality and Pop Culture: CW’s Walker and the Real Texas Rangers
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Fox Broadcasting visited the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame to film a series of short documentary tie-ins about the real Texas Rangers. On January 21st, the CW Network will reboot Walker, Texas Ranger with a new series called simply Walker, starring Jared Padalecki.
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The short documentary segments tour the historical center and explore the history and service of the Texas Rangers. Retired Rangers Sgt. Matt Cawthon and Capt. Richard Sweaney III along with members of our staff were interviewed. The segments will air on the Fox News station, website and Facebook page during the week of Walker launch.
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Capt. Richard Sweaney III |
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Operational Medicine Unit |
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DPS has an Operational Medicine Unit (OMU) whose role is to provide medical training — on everything from airway management to establishing IV lines to medication administration — to fellow DPS staff working in the field. Last month, OMU hosted a training for DPS Troopers, Special Agents, Texas Rangers and members of DPS’ tactical air and boat crews at the DPS Tactical Training Center. This training helps DPS employees keep their skills sharp and proficiency high, which ultimately prepares them for emergency situations that they may encounter while on duty. Check out the photos below from the recent training. |
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Now Booking Webinars for 2021! |
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Looking for a COVID-19 friendly way to have a speaking event or field trip? The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum is now offering virtual presentations and webinars about different topics in Texas Ranger history.
These presentations can be adapted for any age group or schedule. School presentations have been aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements.
Check out our website to learn more!
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2020: Highlights From the Year |
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COVID, I-35 construction through Waco and other factors made 2020 perhaps the most challenging year in our 56 years of service. We thank you - our supporters, the City of Waco, the Texas Rangers, and the Texas Ranger Association Foundation - for helping us to persevere. Here are highlights from the last 12 months.
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Spring Break Round Up: Our annual Spring Break Round Up in March became the only in-person event in 2020. It was a success with Texas Top Guns and Texas Legends reenactment groups setting up camp to welcome visitors. Texas Ranger Travis Dendy discussed Ranger operations today, including the use of drone technology. To watch his interview, https://wccc.tv/video/discovering-the-legend-35-travis-dendy/
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Facebook & Educational Content: When a 51-day COVID closure order was activated, the social media team began brainstorming ways to keep the educational mission of the museum active and available to the public. In doing so, we grew to over 5,000 Likes & Followers on Facebook. We created: “Guess the Artifact,” “Story Time with Audrey,” “Journal Prompts” and more. Find these on our website at https://www.texasranger.org/texas-ranger-museum/education/
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Ask the Ranger Museum: With the suspension of our summertime “Texas Ranger Talks” program, we created a new television program, “Ask the Ranger Museum”. Please visit https://wccc.tv/program/ask-the-ranger-museum/ to watch the first three episodes featuring Ranger Lt. James Thomas, author Doug Dukes and Ranger Cody Mitchell.
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10 Minute Lesson Plans: Postponed school trip field trips and new remote learning platforms drove the need for online programs to assist teachers and homeschoolers with content-rich curricula. We developed 10-minute lesson plans and virtual webinars to bring the Museum into the classroom. https://www.texasranger.org/texas-ranger-museum/education/
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Recognition: Despite the challenges, TRHFM received three recognitions in 2020! The first was by Money Inc who ranked us #4 in its “The 20 Best Things to Do in Waco, TX, for First Timers”. The second was by TripAdvisor who awarded the "Travelers' Choice 2020" certificate to the Museum. Finally, British travel site ThreeBestRated again named us one of top three attractions to see in Waco and Central Texas.
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New Exhibits: The year 2020 also brought new exhibits. The collections department worked diligently behind the scenes to bring visitors: “Texas Rangers in Pop Culture” at the Waco-McLennan County Public Library, “The Four Great Captains”, exhibits on James B. Gillett and Marvin P. Burton, “The Texas Rangers: Established In 1823”, “Texas Rangers During Prohibition” and many more.
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Online Artifact Database: We launched a new database worldwide, so you can browse a selection of the 20,000 artifacts, artwork, photographs and documents preserved for future generations in the permanent collections. These resources are made available to the public for education, research purposes, and personal enjoyment. Explore the selection of objects, archives and photographs here: https://texasranger.pastperfectonline.com/
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Sporting Clay Tournament with the Texas Rangers |
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Join Texas CEO Magazine on March 13, 2021 in Dripping Springs, west of Austin, and "break some clays" alongside the real Texas Rangers. The event will benefit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Participants will divide into teams and shoot tournament style. The winning team will receive a prize and a lifetime's worth of bragging rights. After the tournament is over, participants will enjoy whisky and barbecue.
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The event is subject to safety precautions and conditions associated with COVID.
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Texas Ranger BicentennialTM Partners Program
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Be part of the Texas Ranger Bicentennial! The Texas Rangers will commemorate their landmark 200th anniversary in 2023. With a $100 contribution, you will receive:
- A limited-edition enameled bronze pin featuring the official Texas Ranger Bicentennial™ seal
- A certificate signed by an active or distinguished retired Texas Ranger
- Your name or family name on the online roster of Bicentennial Partners™
- A one-time-use family admission ticket (admits 4) to the Museum.
$90 of the contribution qualifies as a charitable contribution. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame is a 170(c) government-owned nonprofit.
Please click here to learn more about the program.
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Official Texas Rangers Bicentennial Pin
Trademarked by the Texas Dept. of Public Safety Designed by the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
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Save $1.00 off regular adult admission for up to two adults. Coupon not valid on discounted senior or military admission. No cash value.
The museum is open 9am to 5pm with the last guest admitted at 4:30pm. The museum is located off I-35 and University Parks Drive in Waco, Texas. For more information, call (254) 750-8631 or visit www.texasranger.org.
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Newsletter Compiled by Christine Rothenbush, Marketing & Development Specialist |
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