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Black churches in McLennan County provided a crucial transition into free communities for Black residents in the decades after emancipation from slavery, said a Waco historian who will share his findings in a Thursday talk at East Waco Library. Read the article →

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…

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…

Preservation Scholar intern Gavin Porter, currently studying Community and Regional Planning for his Master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin, selected Waco as his town and collaborated with the Dr Pepper Museum to research how Blacks, Hispanics, and Jews accessed soft drinks in Waco during the Jim Crow era (Summer 2024). He selected…

Throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries, educational opportunities for African Americans were sporadic and unreliable, especially in Texas and other Southern states. At the Civil War’s end, most Black Texans faced a lack of social, political, and economic equality, despite the abolition of slavery. This disparity became clearer during the era of Reconstruction,…

Katy Ballpark in Waco, Texas, holds a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. Originally established in 1905, the ballpark became a central hub for minor league baseball in Waco, hosting various teams over the decades, including the Waco Pirates. The Pirates, a notable team in the Big State League, brought excitement…

Historical Marker 21ML02 Disclaimer: Texas Historical Commission has approved the manufacture of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Historical Marker (Job #21ML02). Its delivery date is uncertain. Nonetheless, the marker’s inscription is official and is provided below for the benefit of the Gholson community. PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH IN 1872, A SMALL GATHERING OF FORMERLY ENSLAVED…

Wichita Tribal History so:ti:cʔa