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Keeping Waco Wacky Trivia Quiz

For many years I lived in the city of Waco, Texas. Waco is not just known for the Branch Davidian disaster, but for a lot of other things as well. How well do you know Waco?

A multiple-choice quiz by sfasu1999. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
sfasu1999

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
271,154

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
803

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. What nationally famous soft drink was invented at Waco's Old Corner Drugstore by a pharmacist named Dr. Charles Alderton? Hint

Coca Cola

Dr Pepper

Barq's Root Beer

Mr. Pibb

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Question 2 of 15

2. Another soft drink was also invented in Waco. Though not as popular as Dr. Pepper this drink is sold in 40 states, but is mostly popular in Texas and Louisville, Kentucky. Can you name it? Hint

Dad's Root Beer

Circle A Gingerale

RC Cola

Big Red

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Question 3 of 15

3. Waco boasts a skyscraper. This building is important to the town and its people. During World War II the lights on this building were turned off at night; however, pilots flying into Waco requested the sign be turned back on because they couldn't find Waco without the lights from the ________________ building. Hint

First State Bank of Waco

ALICO

The Clifton Robinson Tower

Old Main at Baylor University

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Question 4 of 15

4. Waco used to be home to more than one active airfield.

True

False

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Question 5 of 15

5. The second female to serve as Texas' governor hailed from Waco, and was a graduate of Baylor University. She delivered a memorable speech at the 1988 Democratic Convention, and was known for her sharp wit and devotion to liberal causes. Who was she? Hint

Miram A. (Ma) Ferguson

Ann Richards

Susan Combs

Carol Keaton McLellan Rylander Strayhorn

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Question 6 of 15

6. A famous comedic actor was born and raised in Waco. He's a "Wild and crazy guy." Who is he? Hint

Steve Martin

Jim Belushi

Dan Akroyd

Martin Short

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Question 7 of 15

7. At one time Waco advertised itself as the ________________ City. Hint

Texas Rangers

Smartest

Geyser

Bluebonnet

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Question 8 of 15

8. One of the state's most devastating natural disasters occurred in Waco in 1953. What was it? Hint

Tornado

Hurricane

Flood

Earthquake

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Question 9 of 15

9. Waco is of course known for being the home of Baylor University; however, another famous Texas institution of higher learning was once located there, but later moved. Do you know which one? Hint

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University (TCU)

Southern Methodist University

Texas A&I University (Now Texas A&M Kingsville)

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Question 10 of 15

10. At one time dancing was not allowed on the Baylor University campus; however, President Dr. Robert Sloan allowed it as one of his first official acts as president of the university. Can you tell me what year this dramatic change took place? Hint

1996

1990

1985

1959

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Question 11 of 15

11. Though Waco will forever be associated with Baylor University the school did not get its start there. What Texas town was originally the home of Baylor University? Hint

Houston

Independence

Dallas

College Station

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Question 12 of 15

12. Waco was once home to a major Air Force base. Can you name it? Hint

The James C. Connally Air Force Base

Fort Fisher Air Force Base

The Waco Airbase

Fort Huaco

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Question 13 of 15

13. Military history in Waco runs deep. During World War I a training camp for infantrymen was located in the northern part of town. Do you know the name of this camp? Hint

Camp McArthur

Camp Waco

Camp Roosevelt

Baylor Camp

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Question 14 of 15

14. What legendary African-American singer was born in Waco? Hint

Dooley Wilson

Jules Bledsoe

Diana Ross

Louis Armstrong

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Question 15 of 15

15. Before they were nationally known felons, outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow lived in Waco. Clyde was jailed for a brief period of time for car theft and burglary. Bonnie, his 19 year old girlfriend, got him out of jail. What did she do? Hint

Bribed the prosecutor

Begged the jailer to let him go

Smuggled a gun into the jail

Asked the judge for leniency

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What nationally famous soft drink was invented at Waco's Old Corner Drugstore by a pharmacist named Dr. Charles Alderton?

Answer: Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper was created by Dr. Charles Alderton at the Old Corner Drugstore in Waco, Texas in 1885. Alderton said he wanted to make a soda that "Tasted like the drugstore smelled." He came up with Dr. Pepper. Most Dr. Pepper today is made with high fructose corn syrup, but there's still a few bottlers in the US that make it with pure cane sugar. One of those is located in Dublin, Texas. If you've never had a "real" Dr. Pepper with cane sugar instead of corn syrup, you don't know what you're missing.

2. Another soft drink was also invented in Waco. Though not as popular as Dr. Pepper this drink is sold in 40 states, but is mostly popular in Texas and Louisville, Kentucky. Can you name it?

Answer: Big Red

Big Red was created in Waco in 1937. Though not well known outside of Texas and Louisville, KY, it is a nationally sold product available in 40 states. The company was controlled for most of its existence by descendents of the founding Thomssen and Roark families; however, it has recently been sold to another individual outside the family.

Answer: ALICO

The Amicable Life Insurance Company (ALICO) building located in Downtown Waco is a beuatiful sight. The building is 22 stories tall and was once the tallest building south of the Mason/Dixon line.

4. Waco used to be home to more than one active airfield.

Answer: True

At one time there were three active military airfields in Waco. They were Rich Field (where today's HOT Fairgrounds and Waco High are located), Waco Army Air Field, where Texas State Technical College is, and Blackland Army Flying Field, where Waco Regional Airport is.

Answer: Ann Richards

Ann Richards was the second female governor of Texas. At the 1988 Democratic Convention Richards made a name for herself in her speech to the delegates by saying, "Poor George, he was born with a silver foot in his mouth," referring to Republican nominee George H.W. Bush.

Ma Ferguson was the first female governor.
Susan Combs is the current Comptroller.
Carol Keaton Strayhorn was the Comptroller, but ran unsuccessfully for governor against Rick Perry in the 2006 gubenatorial election.

6. A famous comedic actor was born and raised in Waco. He's a "Wild and crazy guy." Who is he?

Answer: Steve Martin

Steve Martin was born and reared in Waco, Texas. Many folks may have even known him as their local paperboy, as he had a paper route with the Waco Tribune-Herald. Martin has starred in many films such as "Shop Girl," "Cheaper By the Dozen I & II," and "Father of the Bride." He got his big break as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.

However, my all time favorite movie of Martin's is "The Jerk."

7. At one time Waco advertised itself as the ________________ City.

Answer: Geyser

Waco advertised itself as "Geyser City." An abundance of naturally heated artesian wells served many purposes, including heated swimming pools, heating for buildings such as the ALICO tower and water for the Dr Pepper Bottling Co (which started with the company name Artesian Bottling Co).

8. One of the state's most devastating natural disasters occurred in Waco in 1953. What was it?

Answer: Tornado

In 1953 a tornado destroyed most of Downtown Waco and killed 114 people. The ALICO building mentioned in a previous question was hit squarely by the tornado, but suffered only minimal damage.

9. Waco is of course known for being the home of Baylor University; however, another famous Texas institution of higher learning was once located there, but later moved. Do you know which one?

Answer: Texas Christian University (TCU)

TCU was founded as AddRan College in Fort Worth in 1869; however, it moved to Thorp Spring in 1874 and to Waco in 1895 and became known as Texas Christian University in 1910. The university was lured back to Ft. Worth in 1911 after a fire destroyed its Old Main building.

Waco was once known as the "Athens of Texas" because of Baylor University, TCU, Paul Quinn College and two business schools.

Answer: 1996

In 1996 Dr. Sloan allowed dancing on campus. In fact he danced the first dance with his wife. Previously the university had a ban on dancing although it was still practiced in music, theatre productions and cheerleading.

11. Though Waco will forever be associated with Baylor University the school did not get its start there. What Texas town was originally the home of Baylor University?

Answer: Independence

Baylor was founded in 1845 in Independence, Texas (near Brenham). The school moved to Waco in 1886.

12. Waco was once home to a major Air Force base. Can you name it?

Answer: The James C. Connally Air Force Base

The James C. Connally AFB was located just north of Waco. In the present day the site is home to Texas State Technical College.

13. Military history in Waco runs deep. During World War I a training camp for infantrymen was located in the northern part of town. Do you know the name of this camp?

Answer: Camp McArthur

Camp McArthur was located in north Waco. The site is currently the home of the Waco Center For Youth.

14. What legendary African-American singer was born in Waco?

Answer: Jules Bledsoe

Jules Bledsoe, who popularized the song "Ole Man River," was born in Waco.

Answer: Smuggled a gun into the jail

Bonnie smuggled a gun into the Waco jail for Clyde to use in his escape. They were soon captured and sent to prison, but were quickly paroled because of prison overcrowding. Thus began their life of crime together.

Source: Author sfasu1999

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