SOUTHERN AIR CAFE & TRUCK STOP SERVICE STATION - renovated
and located at Interstate 20 (Exit 349) & Loop 254 in Ranger.
MUSEUMS
ROARING RANGER MUSEUM - located in the old T&P train depot
building next to the railroad tracks in downtown Ranger at
121 South Commerce Street. The museum features photos and
artifacts from the roaring times of Ranger. There is an Exes
room with pictures from Ranger High School. No admission
charge. Photos
MEDICAL MUSEUM - local physician Luther R. Gohlke M.D., who
retired in 2002 after 42 years of service to the community,
and his wife Patricia, have established the Medical Museum
Etc. which exhibits medical artifacts dating to Dr. Gohlke's
grandfather's practice in the late 1890s. He enjoys relating
stories about every item in this interesting museum. Beyond
his service to the community as a Medical Doctor, he was on
the RISD School Board for a number of years in the 1960s and
1970s as well as other civic and community endeavors. The
museum is located at 118 W. Main, call for appointment at
254-647-1155.
RUTH TERRY DENNEY LIBRARY & RESEARCH CENTER - located at IS-20
(Exit 349) to Loop 254 in Ranger.
HISTORICAL PLACES
J. H. McCleskey No. 1 Discovery Well of the Ranger Pool (two
miles south of Ranger) Oil gushed from the derrick top of
this exploratory well on October 19, 1917. It took four
weeks before it could be brought under control. The McCleskey
No. 1 well produced 16000 barrels of oil a day and started
the biggest oil boom in the world. (First Oil Well Drilled
in Eastland County) - historical marker.
Historical Main St. - downtown Ranger
First United Methodist Church building (1920)
Ranger Post Office - historical marker & located near downtown.
Inside the post office is a mural painted in 1939 by artist
Emil Bisttram. It portrays the early days of Ranger before
the oil boom and titled "The Crossroads Town".
St. Rita's Catholic Church building (1920)
Young School building (1921)
PLACES OF INTEREST
OUT OF THE PAST - antique mall located in historical
Terrell Building on North Rusk Street in downtown Ranger
RANGER COLLEGE
EVENTS IN RANGER
CHRISTMAS PARADE - annual lighted parade in
downtown Ranger held the first FRIDAY following the
week of Thanksgiving at night time.
OLD TIME COUNTRY FESTIVAL - is usually held in June.
The fun begins at 7:00 AM with a Cowboy breakfast,
continuing throughout the day with music, food , &
concessions. It is held on the grounds of the
Research Library at Interstate 20 (Exit 349) &
Loop 254 in Ranger.
RANGER AIRSHOW & FLY-IN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND - held at
the historic Ranger Airport.
RANGER EXES HOMECOMING - held every two years in the fall
during the football homecoming. The reunion includes all
Ranger High School classes. The event starts on Friday
before the football game and continue until late Saturday.
There are meetings, parade, cowboy breakfast, and class
picture taking. (next reunion is in 2016)
ROARING RANGER RODEO - held annually in July at the Ranger
Rodeo Arena. It features ladies breakaway roping, barrel
racing, bareback riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding,
steer wrestling, team roping, bull-riding, parade, crowning
rodeo queen, and dance. This event was first started back
in July of 1946.
ROARING RANGER DAY - held in September of each year.