1823-2023
200 Years of Texas Ranger History
The following is a timeline of memorable dates in Texas Ranger and Texas history provided by the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum located in Waco, Texas.
The Ranging Tradition (1821-1836)
Mexican Independence to the Texas Revolution
Ranger History
1821 - Mexican Independence from Spain
1821 – Mexican Independence from Spain
Moses Austin is commissioned an empresario by the Mexican government. He is authorized to bring immigrants from the U.S. and Europe to the Mexican territory of Tejas (Texas) to bolster the claim and possession of Texas through settlement. Settlers are offered land in Tejas if they will become naturalized Mexican citizens, adopt the..Read More
1823 - Founding of the Texas Rangers under Mexico
1823 – Founding of the Texas Rangers under Mexico
The Mexican government, wracked by political and economic turmoil following Independence, cannot protect farms and ranches its northern territories from Indian raids. At the request of Stephen F. Austin, through his administrator John Jackson Tumlinson, José Félix Trespalacios, the Governor of the Mexican State of Tejas, authorizes empresario Stephen F. Austin to..Read More
1824
1824
Mexico enacts a Constitution, based on the U.S. Constitution, establishing a republican government. However, it fails to define the rights of states within the Republic, which will become one of numerous issues and motivations leading to the Texas Revolution.
1824-25
1824-25
Ranger companies engage in skirmishes with bands of Comanche, Karankawa, Waco, Tehuacani and Tonkawa Indians. Distinguishing between hostile and peaceful tribal groups is difficult due to the lack of central authority among the various bands of Indians and changing allegiances.
1830
1830
Mexico imposes strict limits on immigration to Texas from the United States. The Central Government fears that runaway immigration will result in Tejas becoming a de facto U.S. Territory. The Mexican government also orders settlers to comply with an 1829 order emancipating all slaves. Immigration restrictions are later relaxed, but immigration restrictions..Read More
1832-33
1832-33
June 26, 1832 – The Battle of Velasco is the first conflict between Mexican soldiers and Texas settlers. Mexican commander Domingo de Ugartechea surrenders after running out of ammunition. Settlers propose recognition of Texas as a Mexican state. The Mexican Central Government rejects their request and Texas remains part of..Read More
1833
1833
Stephen F. Austin journeys to Mexico City to petition for states’ rights and equitable treatment of settlers.. The Vice-president, Gomez Farias, refuses to meet with him because President Santa Anna is never available. After many bureaucratic delays, Austin gives up and leaves for Texas. On the long return trip, Austin..Read More
September/October - 1835
September/October – 1835
September – In a conciliatory gesture, Santa Anna releases Stephen F. Austin from prison. October 2 – A division of Mexican cavalry is sent to Gonzales to confiscate a cannon originally given to the local settlers for defense against raiding Indians. 51 settlers repulse the Mexican force under a banner..Read More
San Jacinto Battle Flag - Courtesy Star of the Republic Museum
Defending the Frontier (1837-1870)
From the Republic of Texas through the Civil War and Readmission to the Union