Birdville High School Class of 1961 - Looking Back
Pictures in Gallery: 41
                         FOR THE GLORY OF OUR OLD SCHOOL!
Settlers took the name Birdville for their town from the original settlement of Bird's Fort. Birdville became the first seat of Tarrant County in 1851. Birdville school opened in 1858 on the site known as Birdville Hill. A century after its founding, Birdville's enrollment reached 6,867 students. In 1961 with the opening of Richland High School, Birdville High School was renamed 'Haltom High School.' That meant the end of the Birdville Buffaloes, the rationale for which most of us never understood. Students protested the change and Principal Julius Bussey had to send everyone back to class. A new Haltom High School was approved in 1986. The original Birdville School bulding was converted into an educational center for special student programs and services.
Richland Junior High and Haltom Junior High Schools opened in 1957. 'The Bucket' symbolized the rivalry between Haltom and Richland. A three gallon oak bucket hung from the goal post during the schools' football game, usually the last game of the season. Game scores were painted on the bucket, which the winning team got to take 'home' and keep in their trophy case. After junior high the 'rivals' melded together at Birdville High School.
We all grouped together for fun times at favorite places, i.e. Lofland's Bowling Alley, Guynn's Skatium, Barrbrook Park, Haltom Theatre, and cruised the Dairy Queen.
Classmates are going up in their attics, dusting off their scrapbooks and sharing their favorite personal photos from yesteryear. Help document the candid parts of our class past by posting your old personal photos.