Oak Cliff History - 1951-60
Early History |1901-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 |
| 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | 81-90 | 91-2000 | 2001 -
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The big wind: One afternoon in 1957 the sky turned green. Residents of Oak Cliff stood on the porches and watched the gathering storm. It would be one they would not soon forget. At about 3:00pm, a twister set it’s sight on Oak Cliff. Residents could see it coming, and many jumped in their cars to outrun it. Here are some other pictures of the Tornado:
The tornado skipped through North Oak Cliff and Wynnewood, ripping apart many homes. On some blocks one home would be completely lost while the house next door was barely touched.
Hollye Little West remembers: "I was having a birthday party for my second birthday. I lived on Glenfield in Oak Cliff. I remember the tornado was coming and my mother put us all in the bath tub and put a mattress from the bunk bed on top of us. It tore up the Hampton Drive-In and when it got to our back yard it picked up and went over our house."
This is the aftermath of the tornado on the 900 block of N Edgefield -- a beautu salon and Kessler pharmacy.
Ferrll's Magnolia gas station in the wake of the tornado...
The 50s were the goldern era of Oak Cliff schools. These 1952 W.H. Adamson cheerleaders had plenty to celebrate. These were exciting times as both the Adamson Leopards and Sunset Bisons produced powerhouse teams and continued a longstanding rivalry. Left to right are Della Aycock, Richard Reed, Jo Ann Sisk, Jerre Bolin, Peggy Barton, Clifford Reed, Rita Kempe, and Joe Hanson. (Courtesy of Joe Whitney.)
Over at Sunset High School, then the Bison spoke, people listened. “I am the spirit of Sunset. I am the symbol of the heritage of splendid achievement and fine people who have made Sunset what it is today.” A tradition at Sunset High School, the Bison inspired students to strive for “'Spirit, Knowledge, Friendship … fighting hard but fairly; seeking not self-glory, but glory for Sunset High School.” In 1950, the Bison spoke, “State Championship!” (Courtesy of Steve Bonner.)
At the newest Oak Cliff High School (started in 1952) these South Oak Cliff High School (SOC) ladies were all about high kicking and being a class act. Teacher Marianna Brady made history when she organized the Golden Debs in 1956. Faced with the task of creating something new at SOC, Brady studied dance, traveled to New York City to learn a few high-kick secrets from the famous Radio City Rockettes, and eventually selected 48 girls to wear the golden tuxedo. (Courtesy of Les Elliott.)
Early History |1901-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 |
| 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | 81-90 | 91-2000 | 2001 -