WACO

Waco derives its name from the Spanish “Hueco” or “Huaco” the Wichita Indian tribe that occupied the area along the Brazos and Bosque Rivers. Located on the I-35 corridor between Dallas and Austin, the city of Waco was founded in 1849 and is the seat of McLennan County. It’s home to major attractions, historic homes, recreational venues, and a variety of arts organizations producing and staging theatrical and musical productions and art exhibits.

Waco is the birthplace of Dr Pepper, actor/writer/comedian Steve Martin, actress Anne Gwynne, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum as well as the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. It’s also home to the over 100-acre Waco Mammoth National Monument along the Bosque River. This wooded National Park offers a glimpse into the lives of the 20,000-pound mammoths whose fossil specimens—discovered in 1978—represent the nation’s first and only recorded evidence of a nursery herd of ice age Columbian mammoths who roamed across present-day Texas thousands of years ago.

Not only filled with history, economic opportunity, and an abundant variety of cultural experiences, Waco is also a notable seat of higher learning with Baylor University, Texas State Technical College, and McLennan Community College.

Hosting several races, triathlons, and boat races each year, Waco’s 416-acre Cameron Park is next to downtown and situated on the Brazos and Bosque Rivers. It’s one of the biggest and best municipal parks in all of Texas and also home to the 52-acre Cameron Park Zoo. Originally established in 1955 as the Central Texas Zoological Park, it features a diverse collection of some 1,730 animals representing 300 species from around the world.

The Armstrong Browning Library and Museum is an architectural gem and repository of thousands of items related to the Victorian poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, along with others of their literary milieu and British Victorian culture, literature, and life.

Another local attraction is the highly and internationally-awarded Balcones Distillery. Explore the world-renown flavors of this craft distillery in a fun and educational experience that walks you through their whisky-making process.

The Carleen Bright Arboretum extends over 16 acres, with nearly half of it developed as botanical gardens. This Arboretum (known as the “Hidden Jewel of Woodway”) boasts a certified Monarch Way-station, a koi pond, fountains, rose garden, meditation garden, the Todd Willis Nature Trai, two McLennan County Master Gardener demonstration gardens, and more.

The Waco metropolitan statistical area consists of McLennan and Falls counties. The U.S. Census population estimate is 273,920.

Conveniently located off I-35, Cottonwood Creek Golf Course is a quality golf destination at an affordable cost. The 18-hole course winds through rolling plains and features pristine putting greens, fairways and also a Pro Shop with necessities for the avid golfer.

The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum is the state-designated official historical center of the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency. The facilities consist of the Homer Garrison, Jr. museum gallery, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame, the Texas Ranger Research Center and the Headquarters of Texas Rangers Company “F”. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum also features a gift shop for souvenirs when you come visit! The City of Waco serves as the appointed trustee on behalf of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Legislature.

During the presidency of George W. Bush, Waco was the home to the White House Press Center. The press center provided briefing and office facilities for the press corps whenever Bush visited his “Western White House” Prairie Chapel Ranch near Crawford, just northwest of Waco.