Students at White Star School are pictured in 1931 or 1932. Students who attended the school at this time include Albert Henry, Avalee Henry, Thelma Bennett, Ruby Bennett, Mildred Irene Handley, Cleo Bell Handley, Maura Mae Handley, Garnet Parks, Kenton Parks, Viola Stauffer, Junior Barton, Doris Barton, George Wengert, Mildred Wengert, Marie Lundeen and Betty Pope. The district was formed in 1887, when the land that became Phillips County was still part of Logan County. The district was large enough to support two schools, West Bryant and East Bryant. West Bryant was located 12 miles south and 1/2 mile west of Haxtun, and East Bryant 13 miles south and 4 miles east of Haxtun. They combined to form White Star School 13 1/2 miles south and 2 miles east of Haxtun. It was then moved to a farm 1 1/2 miles south of Haxtun when the school was disbanded. The district was annexed to the Highland Center district in 1947. — Source: Phillips County Museum
Peekin’ into the past
Five Years Ago
Aug. 4, 2016
Melissa Memorial Hospital CEO Trampas Hutches reported at the July 26 meeting that three new doctors will be joining the staff at MMH throughout the next year. Babu Chalam, M.D., began at MMH on Aug. 1. Gary Metcalf, M.D., will begin Nov. 1. And Jason Keister, M.D., is expected to begin in spring 2017.
Last month, Bonanza Auto Center received long-awaited approval for a used car dealership in Holyoke at the once-empty lot at 136 W. Denver St. A familiar face to Holyoke is store manager Casey Blake, who brings years of experience to auto sales.
Ten Years Ago
Aug. 4, 2011
Last month Phillips County received notice of approval of a $44,400 Waste Tire grant for the universally accessible playground project at Homesteaders Park. The grant, funded through Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, is part of a program that gives an incentive to use Colorado’s waste tires in beneficial ways, like the playground surface planned at Homesteaders Park.
The Colorado High School Activities Association and MaxPreps.com, the online high school sports leader and a CBSsports.com site, have signed a partnership agreement for the next three years. The selection of MaxPreps.com as the association’s “official statistics and results partner” is designed to give CHSAA member schools a single location to report scores and game statistics.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Aug. 8, 1996
After two years in the works, the bike path from the ballpark to the Lions Club fishing pond is finally complete. City crews put the final touch on the project when they completed the bridge over Frenchman Creek on July 31.
The city of Wray wants to apply to the Colorado Department of Transportation for an Amtrak stop in the community, said Larry Worth from Northeast Colorado Association of Local Governments.
Fifty Years Ago
Aug. 5, 1971
The Denver Highlanders touring rugby team and a strong Denver Barbarians rugby team will meet on the gridiron at the Holyoke High School football stadium Aug. 7. Two former athletes from northeastern Colorado will be playing — Leland Seger, a graduate of Haxtun High School, with the touring Highlanders and Rick Nierman, a graduate of Holyoke High School, with the Denver Barbarians.
The Re-1J school board at their Aug. 2 meeting ruled on two policies affecting students of the Holyoke schools. A district policy affecting girls who become pregnant while students and a policy permitting married students to participate in academic activities only were both dropped by the board.
Seventy-Five Years Ago
Aug. 8, 1946
The Willing Helpers Club celebrated its 25th anniversary on Aug. 4 with a “Home Coming” picnic at the city park. The club was organized in 1921 at the home of Mrs. Otto Brandt. Having nine charter members, four of the original charter members are still active in the club: Mrs. Frank Brandt, Mrs. Millie Schellenberg, Mrs. John Detmer and Mrs. Grace Sanders.
Colorado farmers are finishing the harvest of what promises to be a record wheat crop in Colorado.