Texas Rangers

Variant names
Dates:
Active 1835
Active 1958

Biographical notes:

In November 1835, Texas lawmakers created a corps of Texas Rangers to guard the frontier between the Brazos and Trinity Rivers. During the Texas Revolution and republic era, the Rangers were used principally for protection against Native American raids. After serving for the Confederacy in the Civil War, the organization was restructured as state police and charged with the enforcement of unpopular Reconstruction laws. The beginning of the 20th century saw the Rangers involved in detective work, largely investigating cattle theft. The Mexican Revolution, World War I, oil booms, and prohibition made demands on the Texas Rangers, which they could not meet, and Ranger service was subsequently cut back to four companies of about 15 men. In 1935, the state legislature created the Texas Department of Public Safety and incorporated the Texas Rangers into the agency with statewide law enforcement jurisdiction.

Source:

“ "Historical Development .” Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Rangers’ Links. Accessed March 4, 2011.

From the guide to the Texas Rangers Papers 63-92., 1835-1958, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

In November 1835, Texas lawmakers created a corps of Texas Rangers to guard the frontier between the Brazos and Trinity Rivers.

During the Texas Revolution and republic era, the Rangers were used principally for protection against Native American raids. After serving for the Confederacy in the Civil War, the organization was restructured as state police and charged with the enforcement of unpopular Reconstruction laws. The beginning of the 20th century saw the Rangers involved in detective work, largely investigating cattle theft. The Mexican Revolution, World War I, oil booms, and prohibition made demands on the Texas Rangers, which they could not meet, and Ranger service was subsequently cut back to four companies of about 15 men. In 1935, the state legislature created the Texas Department of Public Safety and incorporated the Texas Rangers into the agency with statewide law enforcement jurisdiction.

Source:

"Historical Development." Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Rangers' Links. Accessed March 4, 2011.

From the description of Texas Rangers Papers, 1835-1958 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 773697169

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Subjects:

  • Law enforcement
  • Law enforcement

Occupations:

not available for this record

Places:

  • Texas (as recorded)
  • Texas (as recorded)

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