The Waco History Project is a joint effort, of the Waco community, to provide a resource base on Waco history and to generate curricula and other learning resources for teaching local history in the Waco and surrounding communities.
Mission:
The Waco History Project (WHP) will connect people of all ages to the community by telling the story of Waco's diverse past.
Readers of the Waco Tribune-Herald have seen Waco History Project events, sometimes dovetailing with its Brazos Past features. We’ve explored areas like Sandtown, Calle Dos (Two Street), one-time suburb White City (it’s not what the name might imply), and long-lost Bridge Street, where black-owned businesses predominated.
A major thrust is imparting local history with Waco children. The Waco Independent School District has been intimately involved. One of our hopes is that not only will students refer to this site, but that student work about Waco history will also accumulate on the site. Check out “Student Corner” and get a taste. But that’s all it is right now — a taste. There’s so much more to share and so much local history for students and citizens of Waco to explore.
See How Waco GrewCheck out this map of Waco in 1873 and see how it changed in just a few years. Also explore birds-eye images of historic Waco from from the Ammon Carter Museum. more...
Student CornerSee a classroom museum, books, projects, websites, "Did you know?" quiz and Poppa Rollo's Gazette. Visit for fun and knowledge! more... Oral History
The late Oscar DuConge, Waco's first African-American mayor, and his wife Kitty, visit with former Oral History Institute director Thomas Charlton in 1973. Visit the Oral History page for stories and links to the Baylor University Oral History Dept. ![]() History FairThe HEART OF TEXAS REGIONAL HISTORY FAIR usually takes place on the second Thursday and Friday in February each year. It is open to students in grades 5-12 across 14 counties. For more information on the HOTRHF and our press release on our featured students go to Texas Regional History Fair. more... |
Texas CollectionIn 1923, Waco physician Dr. Kenneth Hazen Aynesworth presented to Baylor University several hundred items from his personal collection of materials on Texas history. The gift has stimulated the growth of a premier research collection on Texas and Texas-related subjects which document the development of this region from the early North American explorations to the present. Baylor University Texas Collection site more...
Visit a Photo Gallery of our NeighborhoodAJ Moore Academy's Academy of Information Technology students compiled a photo gallery of our their neighbors along the Brazos River and helpful city and state links. more... Resources
Waco History, Historical Landmarks of McLennan County, Children's Guide to Waco Landmarks. more... A Meeting of Cultures - audio slide show. |




"People came down and they sold their hay and they sold their chickens,
and they sold their eggs on the Square."
Waco 's Suspension Bridge originally was a toll bridge? Completed in 1870 by the company that later would build the Brooklyn Bridge, it replaced a ferry boat across the Brazos.
The Suspension Bridge featured billboards advertising local businesses.
