Waco History Podcast
by Rogue Media Network
Dr. Stephen Sloan of Baylor’s Institute for Oral History and Department of History explores the people, places, and stories that have shaped Waco, Texas. Through interviews, local-history insights, and narrative storytelling, the podcast highlights both well-known events and lesser-told community histories—helping listeners learn more about Waco and its place in broader Texas history.
Episodes
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Waco History Mixtape: I Like the Way (The Kissing Game) by Hi-Five
Hailing from Waco, Texas, Hi-Five made their mark on R&B with the 1991 hit “I Like the Way (The Kissing Game).” Blending smooth harmonies with the signature New Jack Swing sound of the era, the group brought national attention to their hometown and created a timeless classic that continues to...
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Waco History Mixtape: The Wild Side of Life by Hank Thompson
In this episode explore the remarkable story of Waco-born Hank Thompson, the “King of Western Swing,” whose talent and determination took him from local radio to national stardom. His signature song, “The Wild Side of Life” embodies his innovative sound with the legendary Brazos Valley Boys.
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Waco History Mixtape: The House of the Rising Sun by Carolyn Hester
Born in Waco in 1937, folk singer Carolyn Hester became a major figure in the 1960s folk revival, recording an influential early version of “The House of the Rising Sun” in 1961 that helped establish her reputation as the “Texas Songbird.”
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Waco History Mixtape: Whacko from Waco by Billie Joe Shaver
Waco History Mixtape: Whacko from Waco by Billie Joe Shaver
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Waco History Mixtape: The Crush Collision March by Scott Joplin
The Crush Collision March by Scott Joplin was a live performance with a twist. It was a backing track of a spectacle of purposely crashing two trains together, all in Waco.
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Waco History Mixtape: Ol' Man River by Jules Bledsoe
Ol' Man River was featured in the original stage production Show Boat (1927) by Waco Native Jules Bledsoe, and has been covered multiple times since.
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Waco History Mixtape: Across the Brazos by Billy Walker
As the first episode of the Waco History Mixtape, Across the Brazos by Billy Walker, a song previously used on our regular format, was the best choice.
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Waco History Mixtape Introduction
Join Stephen Sloan and guest host Jim Benninghoff will discuss history and build a playlist of great Waco artists and iconic songs about Waco!
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Waco 175 Live Event At Vitek's BBQ!
Join Stephen Sloan and Rick Tullis as they cap off the year's journey of covering 175 years of Waco history with a final live show! Location at Vitek's BBQ March 19th from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. Ticket Link:...
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Waco 175: 2000 to 2025 Number 1
Between 2000 and 2025, Waco underwent steady transformation driven by demographic growth, shifting economic patterns, and evolving civic priorities. The city moved beyond late-20th-century challenges and reemerged as a regional center for education, health care, and culture. Expanding…
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Waco 175: 2000 to 2025 Number 2
Between 2000 and 2025, Waco underwent steady transformation driven by demographic growth, shifting economic patterns, and evolving civic priorities. The city moved beyond late-20th-century challenges and reemerged as a regional center for education, health care, and culture. Expanding…
more -
Waco 175: 2000 to 2025 Number 3
Between 2000 and 2025, Waco underwent steady transformation driven by demographic growth, shifting economic patterns, and evolving civic priorities. The city moved beyond late-20th-century challenges and reemerged as a regional center for education, health care, and culture. Expanding…
more -
Waco 175: 2000 to 2025 Number 4
Between 2000 and 2025, Waco underwent steady transformation driven by demographic growth, shifting economic patterns, and evolving civic priorities. The city moved beyond late-20th-century challenges and reemerged as a regional center for education, health care, and culture. Expanding…
more -
Waco 175: 2000 to 2025 Number 5
Between 2000 and 2025, Waco underwent steady transformation driven by demographic growth, shifting economic patterns, and evolving civic priorities. The city moved beyond late-20th-century challenges and reemerged as a regional center for education, health care, and culture. Expanding…
more -
Waco 175: 1975 to 2000 Number 1
From 1975 to 2000, Waco, Texas, faced a period of economic and social adjustment. Traditional industries declined, and the city grappled with the effects of suburbanization and uneven development. Efforts at downtown and riverfront renewal met with mixed success, reflecting broader struggles to...
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Waco 175: 1975 to 2000 Number 2
From 1975 to 2000, Waco, Texas, faced a period of economic and social adjustment. Traditional industries declined, and the city grappled with the effects of suburbanization and uneven development. Efforts at downtown and riverfront renewal met with mixed success, reflecting broader struggles to...
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Waco 175: 1975 to 2000 Number 3
From 1975 to 2000, Waco, Texas, faced a period of economic and social adjustment. Traditional industries declined, and the city grappled with the effects of suburbanization and uneven development. Efforts at downtown and riverfront renewal met with mixed success, reflecting broader struggles to...
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Waco 175: 1975 to 2000 Number 4
From 1975 to 2000, Waco, Texas, faced a period of economic and social adjustment. Traditional industries declined, and the city grappled with the effects of suburbanization and uneven development. Efforts at downtown and riverfront renewal met with mixed success, reflecting broader struggles to...
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Waco 175: 1975 to 2000 Number 5
From 1975 to 2000, Waco, Texas, faced a period of economic and social adjustment. Traditional industries declined, and the city grappled with the effects of suburbanization and uneven development. Efforts at downtown and riverfront renewal met with mixed success, reflecting broader struggles to...
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Waco 175: 1950 to 1975 Number 1
Between 1950 and 1975, Waco experienced significant social, economic, and cultural change. The city modernized its infrastructure, expanded its economy, and saw shifts in population and community life. Broader national movements also influenced local developments, leading to gradual…
more -
Waco 175: 1950 to 1975 Number 2
Between 1950 and 1975, Waco experienced significant social, economic, and cultural change. The city modernized its infrastructure, expanded its economy, and saw shifts in population and community life. Broader national movements also influenced local developments, leading to gradual…
more -
Waco 175: 1950 to 1975 Number 3
Between 1950 and 1975, Waco experienced significant social, economic, and cultural change. The city modernized its infrastructure, expanded its economy, and saw shifts in population and community life. Broader national movements also influenced local developments, leading to gradual…
more -
Waco 175: 1950 to 1975 Number 4
Between 1950 and 1975, Waco experienced significant social, economic, and cultural change. The city modernized its infrastructure, expanded its economy, and saw shifts in population and community life. Broader national movements also influenced local developments, leading to gradual…
more -
Waco 175: 1950 to 1975 Number 5
Between 1950 and 1975, Waco experienced significant social, economic, and cultural change. The city modernized its infrastructure, expanded its economy, and saw shifts in population and community life. Broader national movements also influenced local developments, leading to gradual…
more -
Waco 175: 1925 to 1950: Number 1
From 1925 to 1950, Waco faced economic challenges during the Depression but grew during World War II through military expansion and industry. Baylor University expanded, and the city saw improvements in infrastructure. Social and cultural life flourished through churches, schools, and local...
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Waco 175: 1925 to 1950: Number 2
From 1925 to 1950, Waco faced economic challenges during the Depression but grew during World War II through military expansion and industry. Baylor University expanded, and the city saw improvements in infrastructure. Social and cultural life flourished through churches, schools, and local...
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Waco 175: 1925 to 1950: Number 3
From 1925 to 1950, Waco faced economic challenges during the Depression but grew during World War II through military expansion and industry. Baylor University expanded, and the city saw improvements in infrastructure. Social and cultural life flourished through churches, schools, and local...
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Waco 175: 1925 to 1950 Number 4
From 1925 to 1950, Waco faced economic challenges during the Depression but grew during World War II through military expansion and industry. Baylor University expanded, and the city saw improvements in infrastructure. Social and cultural life flourished through churches, schools, and local...
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Waco 175: 1925 to 1950: Number 5
From 1925 to 1950, Waco faced economic challenges during the Depression but grew during World War II through military expansion and industry. Baylor University expanded, and the city saw improvements in infrastructure. Social and cultural life flourished through churches, schools, and local...
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Waco 175: 1900 to 1925: Number 1
As the twentieth century began, Waco grew rapidly as a cotton hub and transportation center, modernizing with schools, streetcars, and expanding industry. Cultural life thrived, anchored by Baylor University. Yet this period also came with deep societal divisions and vulnerabilities.
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Waco 175: 1900 to 1925: Number 2
As the twentieth century began, Waco grew rapidly as a cotton hub and transportation center, modernizing with schools, streetcars, and expanding industry. Cultural life thrived, anchored by Baylor University. Yet this period also came with deep societal divisions and vulnerabilities.
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Waco 175: 1900 to 1925: Number 3
As the twentieth century began, Waco grew rapidly as a cotton hub and transportation center, modernizing with schools, streetcars, and expanding industry. Cultural life thrived, anchored by Baylor University. Yet this period also came with deep societal divisions and vulnerabilities.
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Waco 175: 1900 to 1925: Number 4
As the twentieth century began, Waco grew rapidly as a cotton hub and transportation center, modernizing with schools, streetcars, and expanding industry. Cultural life thrived, anchored by Baylor University. Yet this period also came with deep societal divisions and vulnerabilities.
-
Waco 175: 1900 to 1925: Number 5
As the twentieth century began, Waco grew rapidly as a cotton hub and transportation center, modernizing with schools, streetcars, and expanding industry. Cultural life thrived, anchored by Baylor University. Yet this period also came with deep societal divisions and vulnerabilities.
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Waco 175: 1875 to 1900: Number 1
Between 1875 and 1900, Waco experienced significant growth and transformation as it evolved from a frontier settlement into a key regional hub of commerce, education, and culture. The city grew from around 3,000 to over 20,000 as the town transformed into a vital Texas city.
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Waco 175: 1875 to 1900: Number 2
Between 1875 and 1900, Waco experienced significant growth and transformation as it evolved from a frontier settlement into a key regional hub of commerce, education, and culture. The city grew from around 3,000 to over 20,000 as the town transformed into a vital Texas city.
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Waco 175: 1875 to 1900: Number 3
Between 1875 and 1900, Waco experienced significant growth and transformation as it evolved from a frontier settlement into a key regional hub of commerce, education, and culture. The city grew from around 3,000 to over 20,000 as the town transformed into a vital Texas city.
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Waco 175: 1875 to 1900: Number 4
Between 1875 and 1900, Waco experienced significant growth and transformation as it evolved from a frontier settlement into a key regional hub of commerce, education, and culture. The city grew from around 3,000 to over 20,000 as the town transformed into a vital Texas city.
-
Waco 175: 1875 to 1900: Number 5
Between 1875 and 1900, Waco experienced significant growth and transformation as it evolved from a frontier settlement into a key regional hub of commerce, education, and culture. The city grew from around 3,000 to over 20,000 as the town transformed into a vital Texas city.
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Waco 175: 1850 to 1875: Number 1
In their journey through Waco’s first 175 years, hosts Stephen Sloan and Rick Tullis tackle the founding era of Waco 1850 to 1875. Here, they start their countdown of the top five events, issues, or topics from the first 25 years.
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Waco 175: 1850 to 1875: Number 2
In their journey through Waco’s first 175 years, hosts Stephen Sloan and Rick Tullis tackle the founding era of Waco 1850 to 1875. Here, they start their countdown of the top five events, issues, or topics from the first 25 years.
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Waco 175: 1850 to 1875: Number 3
In their journey through Waco’s first 175 years, hosts Stephen Sloan and Rick Tullis tackle the founding era of Waco 1850 to 1875. Here, they start their countdown of the top five events, issues, or topics from the first 25 years.
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Waco 175: 1850 to 1875: Number 4
In their journey through Waco’s first 175 years, hosts Stephen Sloan and Rick Tullis tackle the founding era of Waco 1850 to 1875. Here, they start their countdown of the top five events, issues, or topics from the first 25 years.
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Waco 175: 1850 to 1875: Number 5
In their journey through Waco’s first 175 years, hosts Stephen Sloan and Rick Tullis tackle the founding era of Waco 1850 to 1875. Here, they start their countdown of the top five events, issues, or topics from the first 25 years.
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Waco History Podcast: Waco 175 – The New Season Opener
Host Stephen Sloan and guest host Rick Tullis launch a new season exploring the top events, issues, and individuals from each generation of Waco’s History. They also debut the new song, Wacotown by Wes Cunningham.
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"Banking in Waco: A History with David Lacy"
Guest host Rick Tullis sits down with Dr, Stephen Sloan as they explore the long history of banks in town with fourth-generation Waco banker David Lacy.
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Living Stories: Rich Field
During WWI in Waco, the puttering, sputtering sounds of biplanes filled the skies. The area around today's Extraco Events Center had been converted into an airfield to serve as a military training facility, and by the time the war ended, Rich Field had graduated some 400 flyers, many of whom…
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Living Stories: Free Time
Numerous expressions exist about how much the devil loves to take advantage of the idle hands and minds of mortals. But while some people find trouble in their free time, or simply waste it, others use it in positive ways. Frank Curre of Waco ended up with some downtime in June of 1945, when the...
About this show
Dr. Stephen Sloan of Baylor’s Institute for Oral History and Department of History explores the people, places, and stories that have shaped Waco, Texas.
Through interviews, local-history insights, and narrative storytelling, the podcast highlights both well-known events and lesser-told community histories—helping listeners learn more about Waco and its place in broader Texas history.
Hosted by
Rogue Media Network