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…