The History of Thurber in 12 Objects: Education in a Company Town
by Cameron Mitchell
The end of school is here and graduation ceremonies are just
around the corner. As we reflect on having another successful school year, we
are thankful for the opportunity to continually grow our knowledge of the world
around us.
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| Geraldine Forrest's 1929 High School Diploma Smith Collection |
May’s object of the month is a Thurber High School diploma
from the graduating class of 1929. Dated 91 years ago, its delicate, faded
brown cover stands as a token of academic achievement. This 1929 Thurber High
School Diploma, along with other academic material in the Smith collection,
belonged to Mrs. Geraldine Asmus.
Mrs. Asmus was born as Geraldine Clare Forrest in Texas on
October 10, 1912. She was the daughter of Thurber School Superintendent Mr.
Lyman E. Forrest. In fact, her father signed Geraldine's diploma in his role as
superintendent. She attended public schools in both Ranger and Thurber during
her childhood. Other items in this collection include Mrs. Asumus’ elementary
report cards, commencement programs, and multiple yearbooks.
The Texas & Pacific Coal Company provided residents with
schools and teachers just as they provided every other service in the
company-owned town. The first school, a small wooden building, was established
in 1889. As years went on, the Company more buildings erected in response to
exponential population growth. Eventually, the town population decreased so
significantly with the closing of the mines and brick plant that the schools
were permanently closed in 1935 and demolished in 1937.
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| The Company continued to build schools to accommodate a growing student body Gibson Collection |
The Company wanted to provide the best education possible
for the children of the town, so it looked to employ and retain the most
qualified educators in the area. The Company supplemented the per capita
appropriation to provide sizable teacher salaries in lieu of having school
taxes. Schools in Thurber had just about every activity imaginable as well. For
example, students participated in basketball, hiking, and even had a Gypsy
Club! Our artifacts help us better understand the importance of education to
Thurber residents.
Just because summer is here doesn’t mean learning has to
stop! Kids entering Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join us for
fun hands-on experiments about history, science, and art. The W. K. Gordon
Center will host Discovery Days on June 27th and July 25 with free admission,
RSVP preferred. Contact us for more information at GordonCenter@tarleton.edu
or 254-968-1886.
