McLennan County Historical Commission

Welcome!

Welcome to the website for the McLennan County Historical Commission!

This commission was created to provide leadership and coordinating services in the field of archeological, historical, and cultural preservation focusing on McLennan County, Texas.

We are charged with the duty of implementing and maintaining programs, services and projects aimed at promoting, restoring, and preserving historically significant information, structures, sites, and landmarks in this county.

We welcome your interest and invite you to learn more about our programs.

The Latest

The Elite 11: A Juneteenth Journey Through McLennan County’s Black Heritage

In this powerful Juneteenth documentary, Charles L. Perkins Sr., Secretary-Treasurer of the McLennan County Historical Commission, uncovers the buried history of 11 historically Black communities in Central Texas—what he calls “The Elite 11.” Through 3,000 miles of travel, over 800 hours of research, and invaluable interviews with living griots like Mrs. Inez Harris-Easley and TC…

Ranger museum director rides into sunset

The Texas Rangers, the Lone Star State’s iconic law enforcement organization, celebrated their 200th anniversary in 2023. For a notable part of that time, 28 years, Byron Johnson has headed the museum preserving their history. Johnson closes out his chapter as director of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum this month, choosing to…

Torrey Trading Post – Waco: A Gateway to Texas History

Nestled in the heart of frontier Texas, Torrey’s Trading Post #2 was more than just a hub for commerce; it was a crossroads of cultures, a symbol of peace, and a catalyst for the growth of Waco and its surrounding regions. This historic trading post, established in the early 1840s near Tehuacana Creek, played a…

1873 Bird's Eye View of Waco, TX

The Crash at Crush: On September 15, 1896, two locomotives hit each other at full speed as a publicity stunt in the newly created "town" of Crush, Texas, in McLennan County.

The Waco Tornado: Still one of the deadliest tornadoes on record, the Waco Tornado ripped through Waco on May 11, 1953, taking 114 lives. Image courtesy The Texas Collection, Baylor University.