One of Texas’ major cities, located in rich agricultural region of the Brazos River Valley. Modern industry thrives, but city retains flavor of its past when five “C’s” were...

One of Texas’ major cities, located in rich agricultural region of the Brazos River Valley. Modern industry thrives, but city retains flavor of its past when five “C’s” were its support: cattle, cotton, corn, collegians and culture. Large, cold springs on the Brazos River were long popular with the Waco Indians. First non-natives to see area were remnants of De Soto’s band in 1542. Texas Ranger fort established near Indian village in 1837; first white settlers came 12 years later. Great plantations along the Brazos prospered briefly, but Civil War wrecked plantation economy and scattered population. Renewed Western movement and Chisholm Trail through Waco brought another boom—and frontier wildness that nicknamed the town “Six-shooter Junction.”

Today known for educational, cultural and recreational facilities. Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo, first week in Oct., is professional rodeo with entertainers, livestock and horse shows, and fine arts exhibits. Institutions of higher learning are Baylor Univ., McLennan Community College and Texas State Technical College.

A scenic riverwalk meanders along the Brazos River from Fort Fisher Park past the suspension bridge and through Cameron Park to Herring Avenue.