Copperas Cove Birthday
1879-2019 140 Years
Page 1B 2019 u C Cove Leader-Press u 254-547-4207 Page 9AuuMarch March22, 22, 2019 uopperas Copperas Cove Leader-Press u 254-547-4207
Stockyards in Copperas Cove once provided a resting place for cattle on their way to market. From the time the railroad was built through the town to about 1930, more cattle were shipped from Copperas Cove than from any other town between Temple and San Angelo.
Copperas Cove community members stand in front of the J.S. Clements Bros. Bank building on Avenue D. The building is now the site of Ledger Furniture.
Copperas Cove: a city of change and growth By LYNETTE SOWELL
to the present location to be near the main east-west line of the Santa Fe Railroad and was officially founded in 1879. After being founded primarily as a In the Cove Leader and Copperas cattle area at the site now called Ogle- Cove Chamber of Commerce’s Cententree Gap, the city was eventually moved nial publicization, C.R. Clements’ arCove Leader-Press
ticle Copperas Cove: The First Hundred vis, James Anderson, W.P. Hardeman, years, described in his own words much James George, M. Ogletree and Jesse of the history of the city and its forefa- M. Clements. They were here before the thers. Some of the earliest settlers of this See COVE, area were Wash H. Davis, John W. DaPage 4B
Education in the Cove
Four decades of Bulldawg memories still bring on chills
By LYNETTE SOWELL Cove Leader-Press
How do you pick a top-ten list of Halloween night, 1980. Copperas the goose-bumpiest events Cove played Waco Richin Dawg Pound history? field at Paul Tyson Field Well, we may exceed that behind the Heart O’Texas because there have been so Coliseum, now known many. From the days when as the Extraco Events Cove was pretty much a Center. It was Richfield’s laughingstock, playing in homecoming, of course, six homecoming football but Cove broke the jinx games each season, five on 8-7, returning to a lit-up the road and one at home, to stadium and tumultuous the present day, when Dawg welcome by a parking lot athletics is a highly refull of fans. spected program, let me tell Things chugged on, you a few stories...because I “Big” Joe Lombardi as the Dawgs got their “Cup O’Joe” was there. first-ever win over archWhen I first began covrival Killeen 13-12 before ering Copperas Cove Bulldawg athletics, the home folks in 1982, then,10 years the year was 1978 and the skies were later, Copperas Cove upended Midway dark, at least where football was con20-16 for the first time. That game cerned. That first Dawg pigskin broadstands out due to the exploits of Dawg cast was a 12-0 loss to Austin Lanier and linebacker Austin Ledger, who seemed bled and itblessed the 20-odd games before would beby another able to plug a small leak in the See DAWGS, of votesCove andwas support ship. Page 3B
happy birthday
you in the Primary hough this endeavor shed, I am compelled my sincerest gratitude. , warm handshakes, f encouragement have urney one of the most xperiences in my life.
The Copperas Cove Independent School District presently has more than 8,200 students who attend classes at six elementary campuses, one prekindergarten academy, two junior highs, one high school, one alternative high school of choice, but CCISD had its start in one school building on Avenue E. According to local historian Linda Ledger, in her article for Copperas Cove’s centennial edition of the Cove Leader, the first schoolhouse was a “two-story, frame building located in about the same place as the present Avenue E Junior High School. The Mt. Hiram Masonic Lodge had its headquarters on the top floor. Classes were held below.” A wooden school was in existence as early as 1884, because the Lodge was chartered in 1884 and this was its first meeting place, Ledger wrote. There is a deed drawn up in 1895 deeding land from J.M. Clements and his wife, C.A. to the trustees of the Copperas Cove In-
corporated School District for $80.00. Half of the money was to be paid in cash, the other by promissory note with ten percent interest per annum due December 25, 1895. Around 1907 the stone building was enlarged by an upstairs. A $6,000 bond issue was passed to furnish the materials for the addition and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided free labor, remembers Mr. Louis Behrens, who was school board president at that time. the gym was built in 1940 with WPA labor. In 1954 a modern building was added at Avenue E to house the elementary grades. The entire structure, which once house every children the school system, in 1979 barely had enough room for junior high students. Five years later, the addition was made at Fairview Elementary, and a second was made in 1960. Halstead Elementary was built in 1962, and Miss Jewell Elementary in 1965. A high school was constructed in 1966, which is See EDUCATION, Page 2B
compliment the other - Alan, Bob, John - for running a clean and honest campaign. I believe many of their views, and I respectively ask that their ote for me in the upcoming run-off.
completed only the first leg in this race, so I ask for your ayers and support. We are on the cusp of a first place can only be achieved with your help and votes. Make eard on May 22nd. Make your vote count. Together, we difference!
From your County Judge Many, many thanks,
Outstanding schOOls in a terrific city since 1883!
N H EFFICIENT H TRANSPARENT
Political ad paid for by Elect Roger Miller
Happy Birthday, Copperas Cove! Celebrating 140 years!
CCISD