The Texas Rangers Heritage Center in Fredericksburg honors the Texas Rangers daily with a 12-acre campus located on Hwy 290. On August 4, 2018, they will remember those who have served and honor those still commissioned with a two-part event. Texas Ranger Day & History Symposium will feature historians and educational programs, including Ranger camp set ups and cannon firing.
The Symposium will feature a number of speakers, including John Boessenecker, author of “Texas Ranger: The Epic Life of Frank Hamer, The Man who killed Bonnie & Clyde” and Mike Cox, historian and author of over 30 non-fiction books. Mr. Boessenecker, A San Francisco trial lawyer and former police officer, is considered one of the leading authorities on crime and law enforcement in the Old West. He is an award winning author of 9 books and has twice received the True West Magazines Best NonFiction Writer award. Mr. Cox has been a freelance writer for more than five decades, served as chief of media relations for Texas Department of Public Safety, communications manager for TxDoT and spokesperson for Texas Parks and Wildlife. As an author, he has received numerous awards including the Will Rogers Medallion and the A.C. Greene Lifetime Achievement Award. Both authors will be speaking on the time period of 1900 – 1935, known as the Ranger Force Era.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. Lunch and parking are included. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
For more information contact FTRF offices at 830-990-1192 or reserve your tickets online at www.TRHC.org. The History Symposium will begin at 10:00 am and conclude at 2pm, with a chance for the speakers to autograph their books. During the event, Ranger artifacts of the era will be on display from the private collection of Bob & Sandi Bailey.
The Texas Rangers Heritage Center, which hosted its grand opening in spring of 2016, is an ongoing project of the Former Texas Rangers Association (FTRA). The FTRA was formed in 1897 to preserve the history of Texas’ legendary and elite law enforcement group, the Texas Rangers.
The Open-Air Pavilion, Campanile, and majestic bronze sculptures all serve as reminders of the men who have served the great state of Texas as a Texas Ranger. A huge Texas Ranger badge sculpture is the Soaring Memorial, dedicated to those who lost their lives in the line of duty; names of those who sacrificed everything to serve Texas are inscribed there.
Texas Rangers Day will begin at 10am on August 4, and conclude at 4pm. For those visiting the Ranger Camps and not attending the History Symposium, parking will be $10/carload and food vendors will be available at your expense.
Guests will take “a walk through history” as they enter the ninety-six foot display of the Tales of the Texas Rangers, with artifacts and dress dating from 1823 – 1960. Learn the five character traits embodied by the Texas Rangers within the Living History HQ Company’s encampment. Cannon demonstrations provided by the Moses Austin Rangers of Austin, Texas.
Opening ceremonies will begin at 9:45 am on Saturday with local singer Donna Jackson performing “Texas, Our Texas.” We encourage those interested in attending to arrive early to join FTRF for these ceremonies.
