By Vesta Baker
In December 2021, the Caddo Sesquicentennial planners agreed on a slogan for the year 2022: “Tradition Makes the Future.” As the plans have unfolded, those words have come to life. Two of Caddo’s former teachers, who left this earth years ago, had a vision of preserving the town’s history and involving the future generation in the preservation. Together, Erma L. Taylor and Janet Jenkins, engaged their students of the junior and senior classes in a project which resulted in the publication of a book in 1976: Kadohadacho “Real Chief”: History of Caddo. That book, along with other writings from those two women, is part of the tradition which is being acted out in the early events of the Caddo Sesquicentennial.
The first historic presentation, which took place in January, was an overview of persons who influenced the names of roads and streets. It also involved high school students in researching and sharing information about early transportation.
The second presentation, in February, included the history of Caddo schools, led by retired educator, Linda Combrink. She gave a fascinating overview of education among the citizens of Caddo, starting with the Choctaw people before they came on the Trail of Tears. The Choctaws first educated their children in their homes, often with missionaries living with them. The Treaty of 1825 provided funds to build log schoolhouses, purchase books and pay teachers for Choctaw students. Thanks to people who left behind journals or oral history, Linda was able to include in her presentation the names of teachers and, in many cases, the students who attended many early schools.
For the February event, a high school English class conducted research about the famous Corn Carnival, which was held in Caddo from 1905 to 1919. It was a three-day annual event, drawing up to 15,000 people in one year. That information was shared in a well-organized presentation by a student, Will Pope.
The life experiences of the teachers and students of 1976, as they produced a book, left a window to look back on the town’s history. The efforts of those two women were part of a tradition of teaching respect for our town’s heritage to the younger generation. Now, in the year 2022, past and present educators are involving present-day students in a continuation of that tradition.
The third Sesquicentennial event will be held Monday, March 21, at the Rock Community Building from 6-8 p.m. The hostess for this event is Ms. Sammy Adams, a former Caddo high school teacher. She was raised in a farming family in Dumas, Texas. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at Texas Tech. She was a high school English teacher and coach for 23 years, then was an Education Specialist with Texas Education Agency, serving students in Drug Free Schools and the Gifted/Talented department.
In 1995, Sammy moved to Durant with her husband, a rancher, and quickly embraced her new community. She taught English at Caddo for four years, and later was commissioned as a Lay Pastor by the Presbyterian Church. She currently serves as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Caddo. Her community service involvements include serving as President of the Bryan County Cattle Producers for 12 years, President and Treasurer of the Durant Newcomers Club for six years, Bryan Conservation District Director for 10 years and is presently a member of the SODA Board.
On March 21, Ms. Adams will be bringing a presentation on the history of the churches in Caddo and entertainment will be provided by Caddo Elementary students. At each event, the public has been invited to bring a category of memorabilia for display. On Monday, individuals are urged to bring church memorabilia: old hymnals or bulletins, hand fans, VBS certificates or photos, youth group photos, etc. During intermission, audience members will have time to reminisce with old and new friends as they look at the display and enjoy refreshments. Sesquicentennial tee shirts for children and adults will be on sale: SM-XL for $15 and XXL for $20.
Tee shirts will also be on sale at the second Caddo Flea Market, to be held at the pavilion on April 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Money used from the dirt sales will be used to purchase a monument for the new time capsule, which will be buried on September 19.
For questions regarding any Sesquicentennial events, call or text (580) 367-0358 or email civcem.caddo@yahoo.com.
