Texas Ranger Museum In San Antonio

LEGENDARY, ICONIC, LAW ENFORCEMENT

By Captain Bill Dante, Chairman Of The Board, Former Texas Rangers Foundation

You need to put this museum on your bucket list of things to do in San Antonio, whether you’re a local or from out of town visiting the Alamo city.

Experience the past and living Texas Rangers cases highlighting the ground breaking moments  that captured and brought to justice the most dangerous and heinous criminals in the world. Actual historic artifacts, documents and important memorabilia including firearms and badges are on display, immortalizing the Rangers who are present and have gone before in service to the the most legendary law enforcement organization in the world.  A must see for the entire family.

There are two museums sharing the same building, The Texas Ranger Museum and the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, which gives you a total Texas experience.  They are centrally located on Houston street only one block from the famous River Walk and just two blocks from The Alamo.

As soon as you walk up to the front door of the museums you and your family are greeted by an old timer Texas Ranger. His outfit, gun and gear immediately take you back to the 1800s Wild West. Inside, the first thing you see is a very large restaurant and saloon. So if you’re hungry or thirsty you can start off or end your visit with some great Texas food.

The Buckhorn Museum is a safari collection of animals from all over the world. You’ll have no idea how  big a moose really is until you stand next to one.

 

There has been a Texas Ranger Museum in San Antonio as early as 1936. During  the Texas Centennial a memorial hall was opened adjacent to the San Antonio Witte museum to honor pioneers, Old Trail drivers and Texas Rangers.  It wasn’t until 1973 that the Former Texas Rangers Association opened a much larger exhibit in the Memorial Hall.

Then in 2006, the present location became the new home of the San Antonio Texas Rangers Museum.

 

If you didn’t know, the Texas Rangers started in 1823 and are about to celebrate a 200th anniversary in 2023.  The Texas Rangers are the oldest continuously active law enforcement organization in the United States.  The Rangers have earned a major place in Texas History. Even some of the defenders who died, March 6th 1836,  inside the walls of The Alamo were Texas Rangers. They are highly honored, respected, and admired in the Lone Star State and around the world.

 

You wouldn’t  believe how many Hollywood movies and television shows have been made about or with a Texas Ranger in the main role. Try searching that on your phone or computer and you will have a “wow” reaction!

 

Let’s talk about what you will see inside this world class Texas Ranger Museum. Priceless historic artifacts that span more then a century of Ranger history.  Legends and heroes with pictures, awards and letters to and from some very famous Texas Rangers. Individual areas where you will see who they were, the sacrifice they made and  maybe even  the boots they wore. The guns and badges they carried to protect the citizens of Texas are there too. Plus there is an entire area of law enforcement badges, donated from other officers from all over.

 

Let’s start with Frank Hamer, Texas Ranger, renowned for his toughness, marksmanship and investigative skill who led the 1934 posse that tracked down and killed the outlaws Bonnie and Clyde Barrow. Also there is a replica of the car they were riding in with the bullet holes that can be seen inside the museum.

The true story,  “The Highwaymen” can be seen on Netflix starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson.

 

Another legend, Texas Ranger John B. Armstrong, captured the notorious killer John Westley Hardin. After pursuing Hardin to Alabama and then to Florida, Ranger Armstrong confronted the gang of four on a train in Pensacola and arrested Hardin. It is written that Hardin upon seeing Armstrong pointing a Colt .45 at him yelled out, “Texas, by God!”

A  Texas Ranger legend that lives in the San Antonio area is Ramiro “ Ray” Martinez. On August 1st 1966 he climbed up the tower, shot and killed the University of Texas tower sniper Charles Whitman. The sniper had shot 49 people from the tower and killed 14. Ranger Martinez is still very active in the commmunity.

So much more to see and admire like Texas Ranger, Joe Davis Jr. who was responsible for bringing the baby serial killer Genene Jones to trail and conviction. Ranger Davis is currently the President of the Former Texas Ranger Foundation in Fredericksburg, Texas.

 

That is just a sampling of what you will enjoy in the Texas Rangers Museum. You will probably spend most of the day between The Texas Ranger Museum and the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum.

The gift shop is one of a kind with lots of Texas Rangers souvenirs.

Also, proceeds from your ticket goes to the Texas Rangers Heritage Center in Fredericksburg which is a non-profit 501(c) 3