Waco History Podcast

Randy is leaving Waco and the Waco History Podcast. He and Stephen talk about their favorite episodes, memories, and guests from years past. The Waco History podcast will live on! Stephen is sticking around and the show is joining the Rogue Media Network.About the Waco History PodcastThe Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the Charity Champions Podcast.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re telling the known and unknown stories of Waco’s past.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Support the show on Anchor.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waco-history-podcast/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode:Railroad Historian Brad Linda tells us how Waco and surrounding communities grew along major rail lines. We talk specifically about the Cotton Belt Railroad that ran all the way from St. Louis to Gatesville.From our sponsorBrotherwell Brewing is the official local brewery of the Waco History Podcast. Back on tap, try the Shelter in Haze, Hazy IPA. And look for their beers in the Wooded Acres H-E-B! That’s Brotherwell Brewing, on historic Bridge Street. The beer that pairs perfectly with Waco History.About the Waco History PodcastThe Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the Charity Champions Podcast.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re tel

Waco architect B.J. Greaves tells us about legendary architect Milton Scott. Scott created many well-know buildings during his career including the Dr Pepper Museum, First Baptist Church, and the Cooper House. He started his career in 1906 and kept working right up until he died in 1933. Many of Scott's structures are still standing today. Learn more about Milton Scott on wacohistory.org.About the Waco History PodcastThe Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the Charity Champions Podcast.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re telling the known and unknown stories of Waco’s past.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Support the show on Anchor.Album artwork co

On this episodeReturning to the podcast, Cindy Little tells us how a paranormal investigation took her on a historic journey. While investigating a paranormal sighting related to a photo, Cindy posted the pic on a Facebook group. Turns out, Cindy's ghost was a very well known local lady.About the podcastThe Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the High Performance Leadership and Charity Champions Podcasts.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re telling the known and unknown stories of Waco’s past.Find out more at wacohistorypodcast.com.Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wacohistorypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wacohistorypodcastSu

Eric S. Ames joins us again to talk about his new book, Hidden History of Waco. You may remember him from our tornado episode. We discuss stories from the book including the man with two tombs, one of the longest books every written, and the church built in a day!You can find Eric’s book in bookstores near you and online.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waco-history-podcast/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episodeWhat do Babe Ruth, Teddy Roosevelt, a one-legged pitcher, and a tornado have in common? They're all a part of Waco's baseball history! Listen as we separate fact from urban legend on this episode of the Waco History Podcast.Learn more about Katy Park on WacoHistory.org. Learn more about Andrew Lewis Cooper.Thanks to our sponsor: Brotherwell BrewingThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Brotherwell Brewing: The Official Local Beer of the Waco History Podcast. Located on historic Bridge Street in Waco, swing by and pick up some of their Waco-themed brews, like “Hidden Heard”: a brown amber lager named for the mammoths that roamed this area tens of thousands of years ago. We talked about them on episode 10!Visit brotherwell.com to learn more about their Growler Club. A year of fills for one low price.About the showThe Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Ne

It's light as air, stronger than whiskey, and cheap as dirt! Stephen finally gets to talk about his love of...barbed wire. That's right! Learn about the technological innovation that changed the West and ended the Chisholm Trail. Learn more at wacohistorypodcast.com/wired-west.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waco-history-podcast/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode:Zach Burke joins us to talk about Keep Waco Loud's upcoming podcast series on Wacoan and Iconic Music Producer Tom Wilson. Wilson was instrumental in developing the sounds of many famous artists throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Wilson’s legacy was cemented when he changed history by producing two songs now considered among the greatest in rock and music history. He also reunited a legendary band and acted as the man behind the curtain for a pop art icon’s music career. Tom Wilson worked with The Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and more.Subscribe to the Invisible Icon: The Tom Wilson Story so you won't miss the first episode on July 7th! You can also subscribe to Keep Waco Loud's podcast feed. Rogue Media Network produces the podcast. Check out all the other great shows they produce. About the podcast: The Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces

No doubt kids back in the 1930s were as bored as kids during COVID-19! Their answer: tree sitting. That's right, kids in the 1930s tried to see how long they could stay up in a tree. One Wacoan, Jack Kellner Jr., briefly held the world record by staying in a tree off Homan Ave for more than 156 hours! Listen as Stephen and Randy take a trip into Waco's past:The Waco History Project has more on this moment in time:At 1 p.m. July 16, 1930, Frank Kellner Jr., 12, climbed the cottonwood tree in the backyard of his home, 2324 Homan Ave. — launching the craze in Waco.The News-Tribune reported that the youngster, a 94-pound Boy Scout who looked like he was "out to try anything for glory," had a support team made up of pals Sidney Carlisle, Keith Burns and Maynard G. Darden. The trio sent up three meals a day, made by Frank's enthusiastic mother, in a basket on a rope. Some even climbed up to his quilt-lined and book-laden platform to play a board game to help him while away the hours.Frank's father told reporters th

On this episode:Waco’s Legend Bearer: Helen Marie Taylor. She comes from a long line of Wacoans. Her family’s history in the area dates back before the Civil War. Miss Taylor talks about growing up in Waco, acting on Broadway and in Hollywood, and starting the Taylor Museum of Waco History. And now, join us on a trip into Waco’s past.Learn more about Helen Marie Taylor's Museum on WacoHistory.orgAbout the podcast:The Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the High Performance Leadership and Charity Champions Podcasts.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re telling the known and unknown stories of Waco’s past.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waco-hi

On this episode of the Waco History Podcast, Dr. Horace Maxile, Associate Professor of Music Theory at Baylor University, joins us to talk about Jules Bledsoe.Julius “Jules” Bledsoe’s extraordinary musical talent transcended racial discrimination of the nineteenth century and established him as a pioneer in American music.Bledsoe was born on December 29, 1897, to Henry and Jessie Bledsoe in Waco. Even as a young child, he loved to sing. Bledsoe first performed publicly at the age of five at New Hope Baptist Church, a church founded by his grandfather in 1866. In 1914, Bledsoe graduated from Central Texas Academy as valedictorian, and travelled to Marshall, Texas, to study liberal arts and music at Bishop College. After graduating magna cum laude in 1918, Bledsoe served as a civilian chaplain for an ROTC program at Virginia Union University in Richmond from 1918 to 1919.About the podcastThe Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect

On this episode:Historian Tye Williams tells talks about Waco's response to 9/11. Tye's father served on the SWAT team that coordinated with the Secret Service detail that protected President Bush on visits to his ranch in Crawford. He tells how the SWAT team's training prepared them for a day like no other.About the Waco History Podcast:The Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the High Performance Leadership and Charity Champions Podcasts.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re telling the known and unknown stories of Waco’s past.Find out more at wacohistorypodcast.com.Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wacohistorypodcastInstagram: https://www

On this episode:For our second-ever live podcast recording, The Dr. Pepper Museum hosted us to talk about Prohibition in the South. The event kicked off their Prohibition exhibit: Spirited. Catch the exhibit until January 7th at the Dr. Pepper Museum.We had two guests on this show: Dr. Joe Coker teaches in Baylor University's Religion Department. He's studied and written about Prohibition extensively. Pick up his book Liquor in the Land of the Lost Cause: Southern White Evangelicals and the Prohibition Movement.Andrew Anderson is the Front of House Manager at Balcones Distilling. He talks about the production of different alcohols, and tells us what life as a bartender would've looked like during Prohibition. About the podcast:The Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the High Performance Leadership and Charity Champions Podcasts.Step

In this episode:Bradley T. Turner returns to the studio to talk about William Cowper Brann: Waco's first troll. Brann was a provocative writer born in 1855. His highly opinionated style made him an infamous figure in Waco. So much so that it ended up costing him his life. About the podcast:The Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the High Performance Leadership and Charity Champions Podcasts.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re telling the known and unknown stories of Waco’s past.Find out more at wacohistorypodcast.com.Follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wacohistorypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wacohistorypodcastSupport the show

On this episode: Randy and Stephen talk with Dr. Andrew Oestreich, a local chiropractor, about another well-know Waco chiropractor: Dr. Charles Lemly. In that time, practicing Chiropractic wasn't licensed medicine. Charles ended up in jail more than 60 times! Thanks to Dr. Oestreich for telling about this historic Wacoan. Dr. Andrew Oestreich runs Landmark Chiropractic at the corner of Bosque and Wooded acres, right in front of Target in Waco.About the podcast:The Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the High Performance Leadership and Charity Champions Podcasts.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re telling the known and unknown stories of Waco’s past.Fin

In this episode:In our first ever live podcast recording from Pinewood Public House, Author Mike Cox talks with us about the deliberate, high-speed, head-on collision between two locomotives. His recently published book tells the story of American’s deadliest publicity stunt and dispels some of the myths. About the podcast:The Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the High Performance Leadership and Charity Champions Podcasts.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re telling the known and unknown stories of Waco’s past.Find out more at wacohistorypodcast.com.Follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wacohistorypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/

In this episode:Dr. Katherine K. Walters of the Texas State Historical Association tells us about the 100-year-old Waco court case that sparked civil rights reforms around the country.Follow the TSHA on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/TexasStateHistoricalAssociation/About the podcast:The Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane is the great-grandson of Waco architect Roy E. Lane. He’s also a former American Forces Network Radio DJ and is currently the host of the High Performance Leadership and Charity Champions Podcasts.Stephen heads the Oral History Institute at Baylor University. He’s authored several books and created and developed WacoHistory.org, a website and free mobile app for learning more about Waco’s history.Together they’re telling the known and unknown stories of Waco’s past.Find out more at wacohistorypodcast.com.Follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wacohistorypodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wacohistorypodcastSupport the show

Listen as Historic Waco Homes Expert Dr. Ken Hafertepe talks about the Austin Estate located at 2114 Austin Ave. Book the Austin Estate for your next trip to Waco at austinestatewaco.com.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waco-history-podcast/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode:Dr. Ken Haftertepe takes us on a tour of Waco’s famous houses and lesser-known homes. Dr. H just released his book: Historic Homes of Waco, Texas. In this tour of 120 historic homes in Waco, Texas, Dr. Hafertepe gives readers a glimpse of the surprising variety of styles and stories captured in the houses built by and for Wacoans. Focusing on the period from the 1850s to about 1940, Hafertepe provides not only snapshots of the dwellings in which the people of Waco lived, but also informed hints about how they lived: everyone from the wealthiest merchants to the humblest day laborers.Ken is professor of museum studies and chair of the department. He has taught at Baylor since 2000, before which he was director of academic programs at Historic Deerfield, a museum of New English history and art. He is an authority on the material culture and decorative arts of the United States, especially of Texas.About the podcast:The Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy

In this episodeIn one afternoon, 114 people lost their lives and Downtown Waco’s skyline was forever changed. Eric Ames, Assistant Director for Marketing & Communication for the Baylor University Libraries and ITS, walks us through the day the 1953 tornado touched down. We talk about the damage the storm caused, stories of hope in the aftermath, and ways the tornado’s effects are still felt today.You can find Eric’s book on Waco on Amazon, and most places books are found.Be sure and follow Waco Walks to learn about other historic walks in town. The photo in the album artwork for this episode was used with permission by the Texas Collection at Baylor University. The Texas Collection is Baylor University's oldest special collections library and serves as the University Archive that collects, preserves, and provides access to materials on the history, heritage and culture of Texas. Learn more on their website. About the podcastThe Waco History Podcast is co-hosted by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy Lane