1616 W. Abram St.
(at the Historic Fielder House)
Arlington, TX 76013
817-460-4001
Geraldine Mills, Director
[email protected]
www.historicalarlington.org
Hours: Fielder House: Tues. through
Sat. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or by appointment)
Knapp Heritage Park: Sat. & Sun. 1-4 p.m.
Newsletter Editor—Tom Dodson at [email protected]
In this Issue
Newsletter — AUG/SEPT 2013
Stories from the
Arlington Archives !
Pioneer Schoolteachers
By Cheryl Taylor-West
Member—Arlington Historical Society
During Knapp Heritage Park’s special events, the old 1910
Arlington schoolhouse is made available to the public for
touring and demonstrations of what pioneer schools once
were. The visit is a delight to senior guests who may recall
having attended a similar school in their youth. Just entering the steps of the schoolhouse seems to bring back memories for some, who share their own personal experiences
and colorful recollections. For the young, the classroom
opens eyes to former days when schoolrooms were small
and housed many grades at once. Children attended classes
starting from ages 6 or 7, and continued up to their middle
teens. Young students are surprised that school was not
always mandatory, and in fact, many youngsters would prefer being at school than to be at home working on the farm.
Even more surprising is that summers were not designed
for going to the beach or visiting entertainment parks, but
for closing down the school so everyone could pitch in and
help out on the farms. And if you made it to the 8 th or 9th
grade, you were considered “highly educated.”
Several Arlington Historical Society
members serve as docents for the
school. The real life of a North Texas
pioneer schoolteacher has been
greatly researched and portrayed as
a model of typical early educators or
“schoolmarms” in this region. Annie
Webb Blanton (1870-1945) - Pioneer
Woman Educator: The Progressive
Spirit of Annie Webb Blanton - was a
public schoolteacher in Texas from
Annie Webb Blanton
(continued on page 2)
Arlington Archives – Pioneer Schoolteachers, by Cheryl Taylor-West
1
How well do you know your Arlington History?
1
Meet Larry and Mayling Barcroft—Docent/
caretakers at Knapp Heritage Park
4
Four more special announcements of interest, concerning goings-on at the Fielder
House!
4
Don’t miss the 10th Annual Front Street
Festival—Saturday, September 28
5
Dedication of Texas Historical Marker for
the Bankhead Highway through Arlington
was held June 23
Old Timers and Garden Club schedules for
the balance of 2013
6
6
How well do you know your
Arlington History?
1. Who was the football coach when Arlington
High School won the State football championship in 1951?
2. What was the name of Arlington’s first big
shopping center, opened in 1956?
3. He moved to Arlington in 1926 to teach
agronomy at NTAC, but later opened his
own nursery on 46 acres, specializing in innovative varieties of pecans. Who was this?
4. Six Flags amusement park opened in 1961.
It was the brainchild of what person?
5. River Legacy Parks got its start in 1976 with
the donation of 204 acres of land by descendants of what Arlington pioneer family?
News from Arlington Historical Society AUG/SEPT 2013
P. 2
Pioneer Schoolteachers (from page 1)
1886 to 1899, when she graduated from UT Austin, and joined the faculty of the North Texas State Normal College in
Denton. “Normal” schools were designed to help educators enter their profession. Teaching school, or becoming a schoolmarm, was one of the few professions available to women during that time period. But records show that many schoolteachers rarely taught beyond one year in a district. Why? Because if they decided to get married, they were no longer
qualified to teach. Few would stay in the profession for a lifetime. Annie Webb Blanton advanced to become the first female president of the Texas State Teachers Association, and attained many other
outstanding achievements.
The average monthly salary for American male teachers or “schoolmasters” was
somewhere from $50 to $200, but for female teachers, it began as low as $25 to
potentially $125 (The Frontier Teacher: Arizona, 1875-1925). Due to low wages,
men began to leave teaching as an occupation. Both males and females were instructed to exhibit a wholesome lifestyle, devoting their lives to education, church
activities, and frequent visits to their student’s homes. It was not uncommon to
invite the teacher home for dinner, with families serving some of their favorite
recipes and finding ways to entertain their guest, perhaps word elocution or playing of a musical instrument. A rehearsed speech might impress the houseguest,
who would safely be escorted back to her humble residence, or in some cases, her
residence was in the homes of her students.
Cheryl Taylor-West as “Schoolmarm”
at 1910 school house in
Knapp Heritage Park
The teacher’s job was not an easy one. Her uniform was likely not comfortable for
the tasks of the day. Most professional educators wore long, dark skirts that were
full and of course, completely covered every inch of the not-to-be-revealed ankle. From there, a clean, ironed, all cotton,
long-sleeve white blouse was most appropriate with hair clipped nicely into a circular pinup atop the back of the head. No
jewelry or make-up would have been considered.
In the cooler months, a jacket was required because the schoolhouse had ineffective
heating. The first order of the day was to equip the iron stove with coal and get a
warm fire started. Unfortunately, the students who sat closest to the fire quickly became too warm, the others at the back of the room wished they sat closer to the stove.
Next, she must get water ready for the class because there were no drinking fountains
or for that matter, a cafeteria. Often, a large bucket of water was gathered outdoors
and brought inside, furnished with a ladle or an aluminum cup for distribution among
classmates. Next would be the sweeping of the floor, erasing the blackboard and student easels, and searching the area for any potential critters that might have entered 1910 Arlington Temporary School
at Knapp Heritage Park
the room during the previous night. She than began getting the lessons ready for each
of the separate group’s instruction, based on age and abilities. There were no standardized curriculum, instead instruction often came from collected books the teacher or the students possessed. Morality
and patriotism were often primary subjects, particularly due to the availability of the Bible and contemporary American
literature.
Math, or numbers, was especially important for students who would rely on their
own analytical skills to sell produce and livestock, buy essential farm supplies, and
calculate costs for necessary equipment to be used in the home and barn. A typical
schoolbook intended for starter students, First Journeys in Wonderland (HarrisWaldo, 1911), might demonstrate an arrangement of dominoes with students having to solve the problem of how many symmetrical sub-groups can add up to the
total of “8”. Stones might be gathered to be used symbolically as eggs or potatoes
which might be purchased at a grocery or fruit stand. What would you pay if you
needed 1 dozen eggs and 18 potatoes, if the eggs are 5¢ each and potatoes are 25¢
for a dozen? Other skills might include using a measuring stick, making a paper table or chair, learning to recognize the numbers around the clock, flying a kite at a
certain height, and counting chickens. All of the work was done with the assistance of the schoolmarm and the chalkboard,
and the individual slates that were provided to students at their desks. The schoolmarm would be wise to keep the smaller
children working on individual projects while assisting the older ones with more advanced problems to solve.
(continued on page 3)
News from Arlington Historical Society AUG/SEPT 2013
P. 3
Pioneer Schoolteachers (from page 2)
One of the favorite school activities was participation in a spelling bee. Sometimes these events were held in the evening so
that families could watch their children compete, occasionally including another nearby county school. Exciting and a
change from the routine, this event was taken seriously as students prepared for days to do their best to impress their families, their teachers,
and their friends. Local notoriety came with being known as the best
speller in the county!
Loving teaching was necessary for existence in an otherwise restrictive
life. Teachers were required to attend church and serve as pillars of the
community. After a long day of classroom studies, teachers were expected
to spend any extra time devoted to reading their Bibles. Engaging in any
unseemly conduct was reason for dismissal from the job. Smoking was not
allowed, visiting pool halls and soda parlors was not acceptable, and being
seen in mixed company other than members of your own family was
Schoolteachers of the era—c. early 1900s
strictly forbidden. Women were advised to dress in plain clothes, wear
two petticoats, avoid exposing ankles or arms, and to come to school clean, both bodily and morally. If she had any money
remaining from her meager paycheck, it was stressed that she return
some portions for the good of the community, or be a wise saver and preRules for Female Teachers—1915
pare for retirement.
1.
You will not marry during the term of your
contract.
2. You are not to keep company with men.
3. You must be home between the hours of 8
p.m. and 6 a.m. unless attending a school function.
4. You may not loiter downtown in ice cream
stores.
5. You may not travel beyond the city limits
unless you have the permission of the chairman of the board.
6. You may not ride in a carriage or automobile
with any man unless he is your father or
brother.
7. You may not smoke cigarettes.
8. You may not dress in bright colors.
9. You may under no circumstances dye your
hair.
10. You must wear at least two petticoats.
11. Your dresses may not be any shorter than two
inches above the ankle.
12. To keep the school room neat and clean, you
must: sweep the floor at least once daily, scrub
the floor at least once a week with hot, soapy
water, clean the blackboards at least once a
day, and start the fire at 7 a.m. so the room will
be warm by 8 a.m.
Annie Webb Blanton was in many ways, atypical of the schoolteachers of
her time. She was very forward-thinking. Author of two books (Review
Outline and Exercises in English Grammar, Blanton, North Texas State
Normal School, Denton, Texas 1909, and Equipment for Teaching Home
Making in Texas High
Schools, Blanton, Superintendent of Public Instruction,
1922), she committed herself completely to her profession and avoided romantic
involvement with men. She
spent more than 30 years
devoted to achieving equality for women teachers in
Texas, and was active in nuIncentive Certificates for the Children
merous women’s associations. She became (in 1916) the first female president of the Texas State
Teachers Association (TSTA) and (in 1918) the first female State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Later, becoming more political, she was a
strong supporter of the Women’s Suffrage movement, which culminated
with passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920
giving women the right to vote. Her primary political passions were to
improve the quality of school buildings and resources for students, and to
elevate the status of professional teaching for women and increase their
wages (Pioneer Woman Educator: The Progressive Spirit of Annie Webb Blanton, Debbie Mauldin Cottrell, 1993). Her contributions to the Dallas-Fort Worth area have been historically recognized by the naming of two public schools in her honor,
one in Dallas, and another in Denton county.
You can read more about Annie Webb Blanton by going on the web to the Handbook of Texas Online. ( http://
www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbl16 ) and Great Texas Women ( http://www.utexas.edu/gtw/blanton.php ).
On March 1, 2013, a Texas Historical Marker about her was dedicated at the Blanton Elementary School in the Denton Independent School District.
News from Arlington Historical Society AUG/SEPT 2013
P. 4
Thanks to Joe Hall Roofing for the
attractive and authentic new roof
on our Interurban Wait Station!
The Interurban cars ran between
Fort Worth and Dallas through Arlington, down Abram Street, from
1902 through 1934. The wait station is on the Fielder House property, facing Abram Street.
“The Many Faces of the Fielder ”
Next year—2014—is the 100th Anniversary of
the historic Fielder House. Starting next September, we will open a new exhibit at the
Fielder — “The Many Faces of the Fielder.”
This exhibit will highlight the 100 years since
this place was built as the home for prominent
Arlington citizen James Park Fielder and his
wife Mattie Barnes Fielder. The adjacent photo
is of the Fielder Family in 1916.
Scrapbooks of Arlington 1953 to 1993 !
Among our recent acquisitions are 38 scrapbooks
belonging to Vivian Sparkman. She kept these scrapbooks of events in Arlington from 1953 to 1993.
Wonderful news articles and photos!! Thank you to
her son, William, for this donation!
Drop by the Fielder House and browse through this
interesting collection! Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm.
Wooden Crates—“SYFO Water Co.
Arlington, Texas”
This is another recently-donated item at
the Fielder House. The
crates came with glass
bottles with SYFO on
them. Can you tell us
more about these
crates, the bottles, and
the company?
Meet Larry and Mayling Barcroft
We are so fortunate to have Larry at our Knapp Heritage Park; he is
an ideal docent there, being a lifetime resident of Arlington, and a
history lover. Larry and his wife Mayling are retired from UTA and
devote many hours to caring for the Park and our resident cats.
Larry’s skills as a carpenter enable him to keep our cabins and schoolhouse in good repair. Come visit Larry and let him give you a fun and
informative tour—Saturday & Sunday, from 1 to 4 pm.
News from Arlington Historical Society AUG/SEPT 2013
H
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Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 10am to 5pm
LIVE STAGE Entertainment
Schoolmarm Presentations
Wood Turners
Corn Husk Doll Making
Blacksmithing
Domestic Art Demonstrations
Cabin Tours
Living History Demonstrations inside Park
Admission is $3 (children under 12 are free.)
Car Show
Vendors
Festival Food
Artisans &
Craftsmen
NEW!!! This year’s Front Street Festival will feature a hands-on
experience in archeological research. The Tarrant County
Archeological Society will be on hand to take us on a dig through
history!
Presented by: Arlington Historical Society
817-460-4001
[email protected]
www.historicalarlington.org
News from Arlington Historical Society AUG/SEPT 2013
GARDEN CLUB
OLD TIMERS SPEAKERS
The Arlington Garden Club, the oldest garden club in Arlington, was
founded in 1926, and "federated" in 1930.
Old Timers meets
The Garden Club’s mission is to stimulate a love of gardening, share
horticulture knowledge with our community, aid in the protection of
natural resources, and encourage civic beautification.
All meetings will be at the Historic Fielder House on the first Sunday
of the month at 2:30 pm., with refreshment and social time at 2:30
and the program at 3 pm. The calendar for the balance of 2013 is as
follows:
September 1—”The Importance of the Bee” - Anita Garmon
October 6—to be announced
November 3—to be announced
December 1– Christmas Party
P. 6
at the Fielder House on the
3rd Thursday each month at 2 p.m.
August 15—O. K. Carter—his new book, Caddos, Cotton and
Cowboys: Essays on Arlington
Sept. 19— Mary Jones O’Dell—memories of Old Arlington
October 17 —Jane Santerre, “The Santerre Family”
No meetings scheduled at this time for November 21 and
December 19.
Dedication of State of Texas Historical Marker
“The Bankhead Highway through Arlington”
Sunday, June 23, 2013
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The unveiling of
the State Marker Board Member
Steve Barnes &
Lana Wolff —
City Council
ead H
wy—1
920s
Barnes
Daniel L. Smith—Speaker
(Writing a history of
Bankhead Highway)
Answers to “How well do you know your Arlington history?”
1.
2.
3.
It was Mayfield Workman (1917-2009), coach at Arlington High School from 1951 to 1963. He then became Athletic
Director for AISD until his retirement in 1980. Workman Jr. High School is named for him.
It was Park Plaza, at the southeast corner of Park Row and New York Avenue.
It was Oscar S. Gray (1895-1977). In 2010, the city honored him with the opening of the O.S. Gray Park, on acreage
where he formerly had raised his pecan trees (now far West Abram St.). Read about him on the City’s website at
http://www.arlingtontx.gov/articles/2010/articles_1010_01.html
4.
5.
It was the brainchild of Angus Wynne, Jr., the President of Arlington’s Great Southwest Industrial District. The idea
was to raise needed cash for further development of the Industrial District, and it worked very well!
It was the Gibbins family. In 1863, James Gibbins, recently new to the area, purchased 640 acres from Middleton
Tate Johnson (Gibbins’ son T. J. increased holdings to 1,300 acres). The 1976 donation was from T. J.’s granddaughters Margaret Rose May and Berta Rose Brown and Berta’s husband, J.O. Brown. Martha Rose May Martin,
member of the Historical Society’s Board of Directors, is James Gibbins’ great-great granddaughter.