OUR TOWN
Editor’s note: With this issue, the Press is proud to debut “Our Town,” a weekly column by longtime resident and retired educator Tim Crow.
If you know anything about me, you probably know I am proud to call Taylor home. I moved here with my family in 1966 when I was 4 years old.
My father had been hired by Taylor Independent School District Superintendent T. H. Johnson and Principal Howard Oliphant to teach Latin and world history at Taylor High School.
My mom stayed at home with me, an only child at the time, and later went to work for Kerr-Ban, followed by 23 years with Taylor ISD as a teacher’s aide and then as a secretary for the East Williamson County Cooperative.
We rented a house on West Tenth Street for $75 a month. When a house became available on a farm just outside Hutto for $35 a month, we moved there because, as a one-income family living on a 1960s teacher’s salary, every dollar counted.
I started school in Hutto when the entire district was contained in one building. There was only one class at each grade level, and the half-day kindergarten class met at a table in the cafeteria.
The teacher was Gladys Priest, a kind and caring older lady who I still remember fondly.
When I arrived in second grade, a new teacher, Nadine Johnson, had been hired. I understand she remained in Hutto until her retirement and now a school has been named in her honor.
I was in her first class when she came to Hutto.
My mom had bought a Taylor Duck shirt for me which I wore proudly, even during the days when I was a Hutto Hippo. After second grade, we moved back to the “76574.”
I was in Mrs. Wilson’s fourth grade class at Twelfth Street School when I received word that it was time for my sister, Sheila, a future teacher and cupcake baker, to be born.
Taylor was a wonderful place to grow up, to graduate from, to dedicate my career and to retire.
How many of you, like me, remember celebrating T.I.F. Days (Taylor Independence Festival) every July Fourth? Watching or participating in parades down Main Street?
Slurping ice-cold root beer from frosted mugs at K-N? Savoring every bite of those wonderful hamburgers at Diamond Inn?
Scarfing down a free red weenie at Taylor Meat Co. when it was under the bridge on Main Street while mom did her shopping? Or waiting for a train to pass before that bridge was even built?
Which of the barbecue giants was your favorite? Rudy Mikeska, Louie Mueller or Vencil Mares?
I have always been fascinated by the number of famous people who came from Taylor, especially Carolyn Jackson (1944 Taylor graduate) of “The Carolyn Jackson Show” fame. I remember watching her on TV and then seeing her in H-E-B and other places around town.
As an adult, we became good friends.
I delivered the Taylor Daily Press to barbecue legend Mueller at his home, and to country music artist Jimmy Heap (1941 Taylor graduate), who introduced the world to two of country music’s most classic songs and charted in the top five nationwide. A new mural on the building at the corner of Second and Vance streets pays tribute to this local legend.
I have spent many hours interviewing people and researching archives to learn as much as possible about our town. I love sharing these stories when I speak to school groups and organizations around Taylor.
Now, I get to share these tales with you each week, right here in the Taylor Press.
Whether you were born here or have recently moved here, Taylor is “Our Town.” I encourage you to be proud of where you’re from.
Take time to learn about the legends and the heritage that make Taylor special and share that hometown pride with others. The stories you read here each weekend will make great conversation starters for the breakroom on Monday.
Next week I’ll introduce you to the valedictorian of Taylor High’s class of 1943. Her peers predicted she would become the first woman president of the United States, and while she never entered politics, she did have a positive impact right here at home.
Join me here next week as we meet this local favorite who is just three months away from celebrating her 100th birthday. Until then, make it a great week.
Crow is a longtime Taylor resident and retired from the Taylor Independent School District after 40 years of service. For a topic or suggestion, reach out to Crow via Jason.chlapek@ granitemediapartners. com.
