1920s Crockett's Bluff School Bus and 1930s School Registers

This image was linked to an earlier post re school buses in the Bluff.

I'm indebted to Carol Keithley Baird who forwarded to me a box of historical papers gathered from her mother Hallie Keithley's collection that included two School Registers from the Crockett's Bluff School from  the 1936-37 and 1938-39 school years.  Folded into one of the registers was a clipping from DeWitt Era Enterprise (undated) with this image of the school's bus:

"MODEL T SCHOOL BUS -- This picture was taken in the 1920's gives a good description of the transportation at Crockett's Bluff for school age children during the 1920's.  The driver is Mrs. Mary Dallas Turner who now live(s) in the Wynne and Fair Oak area.  Note the curtains on the bus which were rolled up in the summer and down in the colder months of the year.  Duke Graves of Crocketts Bluff, who brought the picture by the Era-Enterprise office said that he remembered when he and his wife, Lillian, rode the bus in 1927."

My brother Shelby First Grade 1936

My brother Bill Fourth Grade 1936

Charles Prange Fourth Grade 1936

Mary Newman and Betty Ann Prange First Grade 1936

Crockett's Bluff Easter Egg Hunt: circa 1930?

This image provides an excellent example of the merit of old photographs, regardless of their condition.  Unfortunately this one suffers from a flaw in the development process, quite sharp and clear in its lower half and yellowing and losing its sharpness in the faces of the figures in the back row.  It appears to be an Easter egg hunt at the great Prange yard at the Bluff directly across from the Prange water tower, for so long the landmark of the Bluff.

Not great quality but clear enough to preserve images of people, two of my brothers and others I would know well in my youth -- though it was probably taken before I was born.  Youthful ghosts from the past -- found in one of "Miss Cora's" albums -- thanks to Jean Prange.

The second from the left (standing) is my brother Bill.  My brother Shelby is standing slightly to his left and front with his hands folded.  I think next to Shelby is Betty Anderson with her brother Bud sitting on the ground (dark jacket) near August Prange (with his head tilted)..  Ida Carolyn Prange is in the center obviously, holding an Easter basket.  I think Neva Graves' sister Willine? is directly behind her, second from right..

I don't recognize anyone else, but there must be folks alive who do.  There are no doubt stories behind such a picture.  An annual affair?  Who might these other children be? 

DPW