Waco, County seat in McLennan County, Texas.
Waco serves as the county seat of McLennan County in central Texas and sits along the Brazos River between Dallas and Austin. The metropolitan area covers parts of McLennan, Falls, and Bosque counties, and the town acts as an economic and cultural hub for this agricultural region.
A suspension bridge built in 1870 let merchants and cattle drivers cross the river on the Chisholm Trail and turned this spot into a major trading center. The town grew as a supply point for ranches and farms in the surrounding countryside and has remained tied to Texas ranching ever since.
Visitors walk through the Dr Pepper Museum to see where this soft drink was invented and bottled in the late 1800s. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame displays badges, weapons, and gear that once belonged to law enforcement officers who worked across the state.
Cameron Park covers over 400 acres (160 hectares) with hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic spots, and a zoo right in town. Many visitors use the riverside paths for jogging, cycling, or family walks throughout the year.
An F5 tornado struck the downtown area in 1953, killing 114 people in a matter of minutes and destroying large sections of the city center. That event led to the development and improvement of tornado warning systems throughout Texas and the wider region.
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