All high schools have a Homecoming Game every year, but every so often, as the old saying goes they “put the big pot in the little one” and have a really BIG homecoming.
Alto’s first Big Homecoming took place in 1954. Under the leadership of Doug Douglas, proprietor of the Hi-Way Coffee Shop, plans began as early as July with letters being sent to all alumni from 1908 – 1954. One person from each class took the responsibility for finding and inviting classmates.
All through August and September there were articles in the Alto Herald leading up to the big week-end. And not just the Herald. The Alto Homecoming was publicized in the Rusk Cherokeean, the Jacksonville Progress, the Tyler Telegraph, and even the Dallas Morning News and the Houston Chronicle.
The Friday night football game was a “grudge match” between the Alto Yellowjackets and the Rusk Eagles. The fact that Alto lost the game did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the fans. A feature of the half-time program was the presentation of a check for $1000 to ex-sheriff Alto native Frank Brunt in appreciation of his seven terms of service.
On Saturday everybody met at the “new school” to mingle with their classmates. Mayor Frank Ed Weimar presided over the festivities which included prizes for the person who had come farthest – Lucille Waters Greene, Class of 1911 from Kalamazoo Michigan – and for the family outside of Cherokee County with the largest attendance – Mr and Mrs Bill Bedford who came from Fort Worth with their 7 children. Mrs. Bedford will be remembered as Shirley Wood of the Class of ’46.
Civic groups and churches had nominated candidates between the ages of 75 and 100 for the title of Homecoming Queen. Winner was Mrs Hattie Tullis, 77 who had lived in Alto all her life.
Friday’s crowd was estimated at 2500 and Saturday’s at 3500. 82 towns and 4 states were represented. Jean Pearman and Mary Rossman had painted all the store windows.
On Saturday night there was a huge barbecue at the football field. The SFA band was there as well as a the Bowman String Band and Alto High School’s own famous singing group, the Harmonettes which included Sunny Terrell, Patricia Schochler, Shirley Lenard and Glenda Smith.
At dusk, the City Council formally “flipped the switch” to turn on the city’s new white street lights. The String Band stayed to play for the big street dance after the barbecue.
The churches in the area all had guest preachers, usually one of their home-town members who had gone on to make good. At the Methodist Church, Jack Rodgers presided while a beloved former minister, Ferd Dawson brought the sermon. Music was provided by the Lon Morris College Choir. The Baptists had former member Rev Ellis Hendrick. Mount Zion Methodists heard Rev Jewel McClure; Cold Springs Methodists had Rev Leon Reed and Old Palestine Baptists their regular pastor Rev Gene Tomlin. All congregations had “dinner on the grounds” bountifully provided by their members.
A couple of clips from the Herald will show how times have changed since 1954:
Cherokee County residents who plan to buy the 50-cent barbecue tickets should keep in mind that they must buy before September 20. Only Cherokee County residents need tickets. All out-of-county visitors will be served free. (50-cent barbecue tickets!)
All Alto barber shops will close promptly at 6 pm on Saturday, September 25 so that the barbers can enjoy the Homecoming festivities. (Barber shops closing EARLY at 6 pm?)
Several Big Homecomings have been held since, including one in the 80’s when an unrelenting deluge canceled the fantastic outdoor pageant that had been planned, but judging from the response I remember from the eight Singletary siblings (Class of 1909 – Class of 1918) none could have brought more pleasure.
The photo I chose this week wasn’t from the 1954 homecoming. I wasn’t sure how many readers we would have from the class of ’54, but I’ll bet some of you will recognize the queen and escort I did choose.