Historical Markers in
McLennan County, Texas

A. J. Moore High School Albert Turner Clifton House Alexander McKinza Alico Building Aquilla Creek Truss Bridge Austin Avenue Methodist Church Austin Avenue United Methodist Church Battle Cemetery and Community Baylor University Bell's Hill School Best Theatre Building Blevins Cemetery Blevins Community and School Bold Springs Cemetery Bosque River Crossing of the 1841 Texas Santa Fe Expediton Bosqueville Baptist Church Bosqueville Cemetery Bosqueville Methodist Church Brann-Davis Shootings Brazos River Transmission Electric Cooperative Bruceville Baptist Church Bull Hide Creek Iron Bridge Burleson Quadrangle Cameron, William, Home (RAZED) Camp MacArthur, World War I Training Camp Canaan Baptist Cemetery Canann Baptist Church Canuteson, Ole Carroll Library Castle Heights Central Christian Church of Waco Central Presbyterian Church Central Texas Baptist Sanitarium Chalk Bluff Baptist Church Charles A. Westbrook Plantation China Spring Cemetery China Spring Tabernacle Church of the Assumption Cobbs-Walker Cemetery Columbus Avenue Baptist Church Concord Cemetery Congregation Agudath Jacob Congregation Rodef Sholom Crawford Crawford Cemetery Crawford Schools David Smita Kornegay Deyerle-Fall House Doris Miller Downsville Baptist Church Dr. Andrew Joseph Armstrong and Mary Maxwell Armstrong Dr. David Richard Wallace Dr. John Henry Sears Dr. Rufus Columbus Burleson Earle-Harrison House Earle-Napier-Kinnard House East Terrace Eddy Methodist Church Elite Cafe Elk Community Erath Evergreen Cemetery First Baptist Church of Crawford First Baptist Church of Eddy First Baptist Church of Mart First Baptist Church of McGregor First Baptist Church of Moody First Baptist Church of Waco First Baptist Church of West First Christian Church of McGregor (Disciples of Christ) First Lutheran Church First Presbyterian Church of Waco First Presbyterian Church of West First Street Cemetery First United Methodist Church of Crawford First United Methodist Church of Hewitt First United Methodist Church of Waco Fletcher Cemetery Flowers House Former Site of Saint Peter's Church Forsgard House Forsgard, Edward Ferdinant Fort House Friedens Cemetery Friedens Evangelical and Reformed United Church of Christ G. W. Carver High School General Richard Harrison George W. Carroll Science Hall George W. Truett Georgia Burleson and Early Female Education at Baylor Gerald-Harris Shooting Gholson Cemetery Glenn and Mary Gulledge Crain House Goodall Cemetery Governor Patrick Morris Neff Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. Greenwood Cemetery Groppe Barn Groppe Building H. & T. C. Railroad H. J. and Cora Hudson House Hallie Earle, M.D. Harris Creek Baptist Church Harris Creek Cemetery Hebrew Rest Hewitt Baptist Hill House Hoyle Cabin Jacob De Cordova Joel Burditt Crain John Silas Edens Johnson-Taylor House Kellum Family Cemetery Kuykendall House Liberty Grove Cemetery Lone Oak Cemetery Lorena Cemetery Lorena United Methodist Church Louis Moore Lusk House Martin Irons McGregor McGregor Mirror McLennan County McLennan County Courthouse McLennan County Medical Society Meier Settlement Methodist Church Moody Moody Cemetery Moody United Methodist Church Moore Cemetery Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church Mount Zion United Methodist Church Naler Cemetery Neil McLennan New Hope Baptist Church Oakwood Cemetery Old Harrison Old Main Old Perry Cemetery Old Walker Homestead Patton Baptist Church Paul Quinn College Prairie Chapel School Proctor Springs Providence Sanitarium R. E. B. Baylor Riesel Robertson Robertson, Generals Jerome & Felix Ross Rotan Drive Rotan-Dosset House Saint John United Church of Christ Saint Luke African Methodist Espiscopal Church Saint Mary's Cemetery Saint Mary's Church of the Assumption Saint Paul's Church of Gerald Samuel Johan Forsgard Santa Cruz Cemetery Sarah Ann Vouchere Walker Second Baptist Church of Waco Seventh & James Baptist Church Shiloh Baptist Church Site of Bruceville Methodist Church Site of First Church Building in Waco Site of Old Texas Cotton Palace Site of Organization of the First Baptist Church of Mart Site of Torrey's Trading Post Site of Waco Boating and Fishing Club Site of Waco Indian Village Speegleville Baptist Church St. James United Methodist Church St. Martin Cemetery St. Mary's School St. Paul's Episcopal Church Stanford Chapel Cemetery Stratton-Stricker Building Texas Christian University Texas Collection The Armstrong Browning Library The C. C. McCulloch House The Cottonland Castle The Courthouses of McLennan County The Crash at Crush The George Butler - Jesse Harrison House The Howard House The Isaac Jackson Teague Property The Methodist Home The Ross Oak The Sims Cabin The Sturgis House The Texas Rangers and the Fence Cutters The Waco Suspension Bridge The Waco Tornado Thomas Hudson Barron Toliver Chapel Baptist Church Torrey's Trading Post No. 2 Tours Community W. H. Janes Home Waco Waco City Waterworks Waco Lodge No. 92, A.F.& A.M. Waco Springs Waco State Home Waco Theatre Waco University Waco, County Seat of McLennan County Waco-McLennan County Watson Feed Store Watt Caufield Ranch Welborn-Bostick Home Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Wesley United Methodist Church West West Brethren Church White Hall Cemetery White Rock Cemetery William Cameron Park William McKendree Lambdin Willow Grove Community Cemetery Wortham Bend Cemetery Youngblood Memorial Presbyterian Church Zion Lutheran Church Zion United Church of Christ
The Battle of San Jacinto fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, and led to the capture of Santa Anna and the end of the conflict.
Texas random facts
McLennan County, located in central Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early Native American tribes who inhabited the area. The first European explorers and settlers arrived in the late 1600s, primarily Spanish explorers searching for new lands and resources in Texas. In the early 19th century, Anglo-American settlers began to arrive, and the area soon became part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas.

The county was officially established in 1850, named after Neil McLennan, a Scottish settler who played a significant role in the colonization of the region. The county's initial economy was primarily agricultural, with cotton, corn, and livestock becoming major industries. In 1870, the completion of the Waco Suspension Bridge, one of the first bridges to span the Brazos River, bolstered the county's growth and connected it to the expanding railroad network.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, McLennan County experienced periods of rapid growth and development. The city of Waco, the county seat, became a prosperous center for commerce, education, and culture. With the establishment of Baylor University in 1845 and the creation of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in 1968, Waco gained a reputation as an educational and historical hub. The county also played a significant role in the development of the Texas oil industry, as numerous oil fields were discovered and exploited in the early 20th century.

Despite its prosperous history, McLennan County faced challenges as well. It witnessed racial tensions and violence, particularly during the Civil Rights era. One of the county's most infamous events occurred in 1993 when an armed standoff between federal agents and the Branch Davidians religious sect resulted in a tragic fire at their compound near Waco, leaving many dead. However, the county has shown resilience, with ongoing efforts to address social issues and promote economic development, making it a vibrant and evolving community.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of McLennan County, Texas.

  • 1837 - McLennan County is established as a county of the Republic of Texas
  • 1849 - Waco, the county seat, is founded
  • 1860s - McLennan County experiences rapid growth with the expansion of the cattle industry and arrival of the railroad
  • 1874 - Baylor University is relocated to Waco
  • 1886 - The Texas Cotton Palace Exposition is held in Waco to showcase the county's cotton industry
  • 1916 - A tornado devastates downtown Waco, causing significant damage and loss of life
  • 1930s - McLennan County suffers during the Great Depression, but also sees some economic improvements through New Deal programs
  • 1951 - The Waco VA Hospital is established, providing medical care for veterans
  • 1993 - The Branch Davidian standoff occurs in Waco, resulting in a tragic fire and loss of life
  • 2015 - McLennan County celebrates its 150th anniversary