Waco's Known and Unknown Stories
Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan go on a journey through Waco’s past to learn more about the city. Along the way, they bring on subject matter experts to learn more.
Recent Episodes
Baseball in Waco
What 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.
Waco and the Wild Wired West: The End of the Chisholm Trail
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.
Waco’s Invisible Icon: Tom Wilson
Zach Burke joins us to talk about Keep Waco Loud‘s upcoming podcast series on Wacoan and Iconic Music Producer Tom Wilson.
Waco’s brief world record: tree sitting
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.
Waco’s Legend Bearer: Helen Marie Taylor
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. More on Helen Marie Taylor from WacoHistory.org
Waco’s Voice: Jules Bledsoe
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.
About the Waco History Podcast
The Waco History Podcast was started by Randy Lane and Dr. Stephen Sloan. Randy’s great-grandfather was a Roy E. Lane, a celebrated Waco architect. He’s responsible for designing the ALICO Building, Hippodrome, and other Waco landmarks. While searching through his own family history, he looked for a podcast about Waco’s history. When one didn’t exist, he sought out the perfect co-host to help him start one. That’s where Stephen comes in.
Dr. Stephen Sloan is in charge of the Institute for Oral History at Baylor University. He’s also a professor of history there. Stephen helped start wacohistory.org, a website devoted to helping people find out more about the city’s past. Together, with a series of guests, they’re looking to tell Waco’s known and unknown stories.
Courtesy of the Waco Tribune-Herald
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