Revisiting 1951 McCook High School

That it is not just McCook that is suffering from a lack of people seeking employment as was quite clear when we made a trip to Lincoln this last week to watch the grands play softball, one for Wesleyan and one for UNK. If you want to see the results of nearly two years of mis-information, panic and true devastation, take a trip to Lincoln and make a point of staying in a motel, eating out and shopping. It used to be that you saw empty storefronts on the outskirts or in areas that were not going through a transformation, but empty storefronts are the norm throughout the downtown area including the transformed “Haymarket”. Sporting events may ease some of the concerns that shops, restaurants and motels are expressing, but they can’t solve the entire problem.

Even though my enthusiasm is waning when it comes to canning, drying and freezing the bounty of our gardens, I’m still covering my tomato plants for the next few days! I’m just not ready to give up my tomato sandwiches.

In 1951, Ralph G. Brooks was the superintendent of McCook’s school system. Did you know that Brooks, Norris, Morrison and Nelson all graduated from college with a law degree? I knew that Brooks had been a heavy hitter in the education system of McCook but when I looked his bio up, his degree was in law! Mrs. Brooks had signed, in her beautiful cursive writing, the annual now residing in the SWNGS library.

C.E. Bloom, H. C. Clapp, A. J. Crabtree, F.T. Hansen, B.F. Hormel and H. G. Lofton were all members of the school board and Philip M. Johnston the Principal. Sarah Jane Cunningham taught Girl’s Physical Education prior to her law days.

The “Red Peppers” cheer club sported white shirts under red sweaters with a large white M on the sweater with the standard black and white saddle oxfords for shoes. Those saddle oxfords made it clear into the late 1960’s as the shoe of choice which was a mystery to me at the time but now is a fond memory.

The McCook Senior Band under the direction of Bill Kelley boasted 91 members. A band committee helped decide all issues that confronted the band. The band even had a Publicity Manager, Sigrid Lewis and two librarians, Norma Lebsack and Nancy Hubert!

Entertainment for the high school after football and basketball games was under the direction of an organization called the Bison Corral. The club, under the guidance of Mr. Dunkle, also sponsored special dances such as the New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day dance.

McCook’s football team struggled during the 1950 season but memorably beat Kearney 19-6. The season also saw them playing Curtis, Omaha North, Grand Island and Holdrege. They were in what was then called the Southwest Conference and took the Western Big Ten Championship. The game with Grand Island was for the Big Ten Championship but the Bison went scoreless in that match.

Advertisers for the annual included the East Sale Barn and Wacker-Elliott-Wacker, Livestock Order Buyers. The Harvest Bakery was at 212 Norris Avenue while Zephyr Cleaners were at 112 Norris. Sweetbriar was at 318 Norris. Gierhart’s, Cottingham’s, H. C. Clapp, Swanmoore Style Shop, J. C. Penny, Chic Apparel Shoppe, Mode O’Day, Montgomery Ward, J. M. McDonalds, Vogue Clothing, Hesteds and Woolworths all had store fronts in downtown McCook. I have no idea who this was, but PO & JOHN’S Sport Center was at 116 West B. The majority of these stores I can remember from our trips to McCook twice a month on Saturday.

SWNGS library is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 PM. We are found at 322 Norris Avenue, rooms 2-7 on the second floor.