Once a small frontier town on the banks of the Brazos River, Waco developed into a thriving commercial center of Texas near the end of the nineteenth century. As the population grew, the city became known as a leader in education because of the wealth and diversity of opportunities offered in higher education. This reputation led some to dub the city the “Athens of Texas,” evoking images of the classical civilization often viewed as the pinnacle of art and education.

This tour highlights a few of the institutions which earned Waco a reputation as an educational center and invites you to explore the ideas which shaped the city into the Athens of Texas.