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Texas Rangers have operated under different organizational names during their 200-year history. Inquiries about types of rangers leads to records referring to units called Minute Men, Frontier Forces, Special State Troops, Mounted Volunteers, the Frontier Battalion, and others. The Texas Ranger Force was established in 1901. Photographs help reveal how rangers evolved from these earlier versions to the more uniform official Texas Ranger in the twentieth century.
In 1874, the Texas Rangers’ Frontier Battalion was formed to defend settlements. Rangers also acted as peace officers, and that role was codified in 1901 legislation that made them the Ranger Force. Rangers from this era are often portrayed as the “cowboy lawmen” called on to fight crime and restore order.
Texas Ranger, Company D, Captain Frank Jones, camp at Uvalde Co., 1886-1887. Texas Department of Public Safety photographs, 1983/112 R-no number 9-1. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Rangers ready to start on the trail of criminals, about 1890. William Deming Hornaday photograph collection, 1975/70-4533.
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D.W. Bass, mounted inspector of customs and other officers on scout, about 1890.William Deming Hornaday photograph collection, 1975/70-4535.
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Ranger mounted for duty, about 1890. William Deming Hornaday photograph collection, 1975/70-1072.Click or tap on image to view larger version.
A group of armed rangers, 1896. William Deming Hornaday photograph collection, 1975/70-1071.Click or tap on image to view larger version.
After the turn of the twentieth century and the Mexican Revolution of 1910, more rangers were needed along the border. A dramatic increase in numbers of untrained and undisciplined rangers contributed to violent and criminal behavior that led to the Canales Investigation in 1919. As a result, the legislature reduced ranger forces and enhanced requirements to join.
Company of Texas Rangers, Company H stationed at Harlingen, Texas, 1904. Texas Department of Public Safety photographs, 1983/112 R-323-2.
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Co. E. on horseback, eight miles west of Del Rio, May 3, 1918. Texas Department of Public Safety photographs, 1983/112 R-447-1.
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The Department of Public Safety was created in 1935 and the rangers moved out of a military structure and into the new police agency. Rangers would investigate major crimes and may be called upon to suppress riots and apprehend fugitives.
Headquarters co., informal group by corral, October 21, 1952. Texas Department of Public Safety photographs, 1983/112 R-380-1.
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Rangers on parade in Killeen, Texas, July 26, 1957. Texas Department of Public Safety photographs, 1983/112 R-465-1.
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Texas Rangers badge, Texas Department of Public Safety. Artifacts collection, ATF0260. View larger image of Texas Ranger badge, Texas Department of Public Safety onourTexas Digital Archive Site.
Rangers were not issued an official badge until they joined the Department of Public Safety in 1935. Badges worn by rangers in the 1800s were a simple star and circle design crafted from a Mexican coin. Like many ranger supplies during this era, they were purchased by the individual.
Letter of application to the State Police, June 27, 1870. Texas Adjutant General’s Department Reconstruction records, 401-863.
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A letter addressed to Governor Edmund J. Davis petitioning for a position as captain in the state police. The petitioner includes a reference and the signatures of several senators and representatives.
Letter of recommendation for the position of lieutenant in the State Police, June 30, 1870. Texas Adjutant General’s Department Reconstruction records, 401-863.Click or tap on image to view larger version.
A letter to Adjutant General James Davidson recommending William Garrison of Uvalde County for a position as lieutenant on the state police.Under reconstruction governor Edmund J. Davis (1870-1874), the legislature established a new state police force that operated in a similar fashion to Texas Rangers. This act detailed the composition of each company, the pay rate of every man, and named the adjutant general as the chief of the state police. The force was disbanded in 1873.
Correspondence on paper with Company “C” Frontier Battalion header, February 5, 1882. Texas Adjutant General's Department Texas State Troops records, 401-830.Click or tap on image to view larger version.
A letter notifying Adjutant General W.H. King of the intention to set off for Wheeler County with eight men now that the snow has melted, sent by G.W. Arrington.
Correspondence seeking appointment as captain of a company in the Frontier Forces, September 7, 1870. Adjutant General’s Department departmental correspondence, 401-389.Click or tap on image to view larger version.
A letter addressed to Governor Edmund J. Davis applying for a position as captain in the “Mounted Ranger Service.” The legislature in 1870 provided for twenty ranger companies to be raised for what became known as the Frontier Forces.
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