David Crockett High School (Austin, Texas)
Encyclopedia
Crockett High School is a public high school
located in South Austin
, Texas
. The school opened in 1968 and is part of the Austin Independent School District
(AISD). It was named after U.S. frontiersman Davy Crockett
.
In the fall of 1968 when Crockett opened, according to the US Census Bureau, Austin had a population of 234,375 and Crockett was one of seven high schools in AISD. In 2009, the Austin Chamber of Commerce lists Austin's population at 1,705,075 with 12 high schools in AISD.
Crockett High School is located at the corner of Manchaca Road and Stassney Lane. In 1968, both were just two lanes and the only other building in the area was a two-story farm house on Manchaca Road. Crockett's first principal, Forrest Kline, teachers and students enjoyed lunch in the courtyard
with massive boulders and oak trees (the cafeteria
had not been completed). Actor Fess Parker
, best known for his 1950s portrayals of Davy Crockett for Walt Disney
. attended the first pep rally
.
In 1971, A federal judge ordered Anderson High School
in East Austin closed because it was still racially segregated. African-American students from the old Anderson High School were bussed to Crockett starting in the fall of that year.
On December 26, 1972, a semi-trailer truck
loaded with cattle clipped a guard rail
on a narrow bridge on U.S. 60/84
near Fort Sumner, New Mexico
. A bus chartered by Woodlawn Baptist Church, en route to a youth ski and Bible conference in Vadito, New Mexico
, smashed into the trailer. Nineteen people were killed in what was called "Worst Accident in New Mexico's History"; thirteen were Crockett students. A memorial was held early in 1973 at Palmer Auditorium (now the Long Center for the Performing Arts). Former President Lyndon B. Johnson
was in attendance. A memorial to the students is in Crockett's courtyard.
Crockett High School Film
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in South Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The school opened in 1968 and is part of the Austin Independent School District
Austin Independent School District
Austin Independent School District is a school district that is based in the city of Austin, Texas, United States. It was established in 1881. Its current superintendent is...
(AISD). It was named after U.S. frontiersman Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett
David "Davy" Crockett was a celebrated 19th century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician. He is commonly referred to in popular culture by the epithet "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S...
.
In the fall of 1968 when Crockett opened, according to the US Census Bureau, Austin had a population of 234,375 and Crockett was one of seven high schools in AISD. In 2009, the Austin Chamber of Commerce lists Austin's population at 1,705,075 with 12 high schools in AISD.
Crockett High School is located at the corner of Manchaca Road and Stassney Lane. In 1968, both were just two lanes and the only other building in the area was a two-story farm house on Manchaca Road. Crockett's first principal, Forrest Kline, teachers and students enjoyed lunch in the courtyard
Courtyard
A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. These areas in inns and public buildings were often the primary meeting places for some purposes, leading to the other meanings of court....
with massive boulders and oak trees (the cafeteria
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
had not been completed). Actor Fess Parker
Fess Parker
Fess Elisha Parker, Jr. was an American film and television actor best known for his portrayals of Davy Crockett in the Walt Disney 1955-56 TV mini-series and as TV's Daniel Boone from 1964-70...
, best known for his 1950s portrayals of Davy Crockett for Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
. attended the first pep rally
Pep rally
Pep rallies are events that occur primarily in the United States and Canada. A pep rally is a gathering of people, typically students of middle school, high school and college age, before a sports event. The purpose of such a gathering is to encourage school spirit and to support members of the...
.
In 1971, A federal judge ordered Anderson High School
Anderson High School (Austin, Texas)
L.C. Anderson High School is a public high school located in the city of Austin, Texas, United States.-History:Anderson High School began in 1889, when a high school was added to Robertson Hill School , the city's first school for African-American children. It was located in the same building as...
in East Austin closed because it was still racially segregated. African-American students from the old Anderson High School were bussed to Crockett starting in the fall of that year.
On December 26, 1972, a semi-trailer truck
Semi-trailer truck
A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or articulated truck or articulated lorry, is an articulated vehicle consisting of a towing engine , and a semi-trailer A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) articulated truck...
loaded with cattle clipped a guard rail
Guard rail
Guard rail or guardrail, sometimes referred to as guide rail or railing, is a system designed to keep people or vehicles from straying into dangerous or off-limits areas...
on a narrow bridge on U.S. 60/84
U.S. Route 60
U.S. Route 60 is an east–west United States highway, running from the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast in Virginia to western Arizona. Despite the final "0" in its number, indicating a transcontinental designation, the 1926 route formerly ended in Springfield, Missouri, at its intersection...
near Fort Sumner, New Mexico
Fort Sumner, New Mexico
Fort Sumner is a village in De Baca County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,249 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of De Baca County...
. A bus chartered by Woodlawn Baptist Church, en route to a youth ski and Bible conference in Vadito, New Mexico
Vadito, New Mexico
Vadito is a census-designated place in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. It is on the scenic High Road to Taos. The population was 242 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Vadito is located at ....
, smashed into the trailer. Nineteen people were killed in what was called "Worst Accident in New Mexico's History"; thirteen were Crockett students. A memorial was held early in 1973 at Palmer Auditorium (now the Long Center for the Performing Arts). Former President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
was in attendance. A memorial to the students is in Crockett's courtyard.
Notable alumni
- Bruce ScholtzBruce ScholtzBruce Scholtz is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for seven seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and one season for the New England Patriots....
, class of 1977, former professional football player - Roger HuertaRoger HuertaRoger Huerta , is an American mixed martial artist. He initially gained exposure by competing in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and later Bellator Fighting Championships.-Early life:...
, professional MMA fighter - Colton Tooley 2010 University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
campus shooter.
External links
Crockett High School Film