Old photos show Texas Rangers history as far back as 1884

SAN ANTONIO – The historical past of the lawmen often called the Texas Rangers spans practically two centuries.

“The Ranger story begins a few years in the past. In 1823, the Father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin realized the necessity for a physique of males to guard his fledgling colony, the land settlement effort that marked the start of Texas’ growth,” the Texas Division of Transportation web site states.

Whereas the total historical past of the Texas Rangers could be discovered on the TxDOT web site, it’s not all tales of bravery and heroism.

The historical past of the Texas Rangers can be tainted with tales of unlawfulness and crime.

“They protected settlers and enforced legal guidelines, but additionally typically executed thieves with out a trial, drove Native American tribes from their homelands, and a few Rangers even lynched Mexicans and Mexican Individuals alongside the Texas-Mexico border,” based on the Bullock Museum.

Immediately, the Texas Rangers are nonetheless an current regulation enforcement division. As of January 1, 2020, the Texas Ranger Division has 166 Rangers for the whole state. Firm headquarters are positioned in eight geographical places, together with Firm D in San Antonio.

“The fashionable Texas Ranger attire in civilian garments and is acknowledged by his western hat and western boots. Badges, nonetheless constructed from a Mexican coin, could be seen pinned to a Ranger’s shirt above the left pocket. Their duties fluctuate by project, however Rangers usually have legal investigative obligations supporting native regulation enforcement,” based on TexasRangers.org.

Right here’s a have a look at some historic pictures from the College of Texas at San Antonio Particular Digital Assortment that give a glimpse into the historical past of the Texas Rangers: