Scope and Contents

The Dave Pearson Collection consists of items related to Fort Worth schools, Fort Worth history, and the historic Steam Engine Number 610. It consists of six series: Fort Worth Schools, Yearbooks, Fort Worth History, Scrapbooks, Steam Engine Number 610, and Miscellaneous.

Series I: Fort Worth Schools, 1914-2005

This series contains a large collection of school-related materials. It is divided into six subseries: Arlington Heights High School, School Directories and Handbooks, School Ephemera, School Newspapers, and School Publications.

The Arlington Heights High School subseries contains class reunion materials, ephemera, event programs and tickets, photographs, publications, and a typewriting textbook from 1926.

The School Directories and Handbooks subseries contains Fort Worth elementary school, junior high school, and high school directories and handbooks containing student and teacher names and contact information.

The School Ephemera subseries contains autograph books of students, a memory book, a ticket to a high school football game, and programs for school events. It also contains materials belonging to Georgia Mae Dobson of Burleson High School and Oma Grimm of Paschal High School.

The School Newspapers subseries contains the newspapers for W.C. Stripling Junior High School and Arlington Heights High School.

The School Publications subseries contains publications that are not either yearbooks, directories, handbooks, or newspapers. Included are school magazines, a curriculum handbook, a third grade social studies textbook, an alumni directory, and a program for the Paschal Sport Follies.

Series II: Yearbooks 1912-2001

This series is one of the largest of the collection. The donor amassed a large collection of yearbooks of local, and some non-local, yearbooks that cover several decades of Fort Worth elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools. In addition, there are yearbooks for colleges and military bases.

Series III: Fort Worth History, 1914-2016

This series contains items related to general Fort Worth history. It contains three subseries: Fort Worth Organizations and Clubs, Photographs, and Newspapers.

The Fort Worth Organizations and Clubs subseries contains pamphlets, handbooks, and directories for Junior Woman's Club of Fort Worth, local sororities and fraternities, and the South Hi Mount Garden Club.

The Photographs subseries contains digital images of Fort Worth buildings, businesses, and people.

The Newspapers subseries is divided into two major categories: the Fort Worth Star-Telegram funny pages and major events and headlines from a variety of Texas newspapers. Major events and headlines include United States declaring war on Japan in 1941, the John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy assassinations, the moon landing, and September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Series IV: Scrapbooks, 1909-1968

This series contains a variety of scrapbooks kept by students, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and Fort Worth individuals. All of the scrapbooks have been kept in their original format and binding with the exception of two which have been dismantled. One was a yellow folder from a student at Sunset High School in Dallas, Texas and the University of Texas at Arlington. The other was a dark blue binder containing various Fort Worth related materials including items from Texas Christian University. Other scrapbooks include a Texas Christian University Band scrapbook, a Cub scrapbook, a Boy Scouts of St. Alice Catholic School scrapbook, Arlington Heights High School scrapbook, and one kept by Cecil and Thelma Lindsey scrapbook.

Follow this link to view fully scanned Dave Pearson Scrapbooks page.

Series V: Steam Engine Number 610 and Texas Railroads, 1968-2007

Steam Engine Number 610 was built in 1927 by Lima Locomotive Works. The Texas and Pacific Railroad ran the steam engine between Shreveport, Louisiana and El Paso, Texas until the steam engine was retired in 1950. In 1975, it was restored for the United States Bicentennial in 1976. Steam Engine Number 610 pulled the American Freedom Train throughout the entire state of Texas for the Bicentennial. In 1986, the Texas State Railroad acquired the steam engine and developed a state historical park in East Texas. Donor Dave Pearson was heavily involved in the restoration process with Amon Carter, Jr.

Dave Pearson served as President of the 610 Historical Foundation. The board of directors also included Amon G. Carter, Jr., Blair Lavelle, James T. Blanton, Marc Lowrance, and John T. Brigham. The purpose of the foundation was to raise funding for the restoration and preservation of the 610. Materials in this series include correspondence, financial records, fundraising information, ephemera, maps, publications, and photographs.

Series VI: Miscellaneous, 1940-1996

This series contains miscellaneous items that include photographs, news clippings, and books on Bonnie and Clyde and on Jim Wright. Also, a magazine related to Dallas living and a handbook and directory for the Dallas Mothers' Club of Pi Beta Phi. This series also contains a pamphlet of song lyrics titled "Seabee Songs," published by the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions.