Waco City is located roughly 90 miles south of Dallas City and 100 miles north of Austin City within the heart of the Texas manufacturing and technology corridor. It is the county seat of McKennan County. Waco City is situated along Interstate I-35 with several highways, comprising U.S. Routes 77, 84 and the Texas State Highway 6, serving the area. Waco is likewise the origin of Dr, Pepper, the soft drink.
The original inhabitants of the area were the Huaco Indians, which is where the cities name came from. Waco started as a small village that didn't begin to resemble a city until the year 1849, when the first streets where laid out by a surveyor named George B. Erath. Waco City was incorporated in the year 1856 and rapidly developed into a busy railroad community. By the 1870's some railroad lines were established making Waco City a hub of commerce for Texas state. In 1886, Waco University merged together with Baylor University after relocating from Independence to Waco City. By the 1900's, the city had become one of the largest cotton producers within the world.
In 1993, Waco City was the location of a deadly shootout that claims the lives of ten people. Six of these individuals were Davidan Cult members and the other 4 were agents of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The Davidian compound within Mt. Carmel was destroyed by a fire resulting from the 51-day standoff that ensued directly following the shooting.
Among the largest municipal parks in Texas state is Waco's Cameron Park, which is a great site used for picnicking, hiking, and canoeing. There are many animal lovers which visit Cameron Park Zoo, that has a big natural-habitat zoo which houses lots of species from all-around the globe. Within the center of downtown is RiverSquare Center which is an assortment of restored warehouses, amongst which date back to the early nineteen hundreds, which have been turned into shopping, restaurants and bars. Amongst the other interesting attractions that can be found within the city of Waco are the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, that comprises several interactive exhibits covering all types of sports; Art Center Waco, that entertains kids of different ages with hands-on activities; and the Dr. Pepper Museum, which comprises a mock-up of the original drug store when the drink was first invented. Likewise situated in Waco City is the Armstrong Browning Library, the Mayborn Museum Complex, Homestead Heritage, Lake Waco, Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas, Ranger Wing Of The Commemorative Air Force, Texas Ranger hall of Fame and Museum, and the Waco Suspension Bridge.
The semi-pro football team, the Waco Thunder are based within the city. They compete as amongst 32 teams in the Texas United Football League. The Waco Wranglers, a professional minor league basketball team, are also amongst the cities sports team. As part of the American Basketball Association during 2006-2007, the Waco Wranglers played their first season and joined the United Basketball Association during 2008.