Mansfield Colored School Group, ca. 1920

The Mansfield school for Black children was in operation as early as 1879 with an enrollment of 33. In 1881, the enrollment was 31. One of the early schools was located on land owned by Ben Nolan, now called Moody Lane. A building was erected for the Black children of west Mansfield at at point known as Walnut Creek Dips. This photo is circa 1920 shows the class posing with their teacher.

Show are (top row from left) unknown, Ms. Burks (teacher), Lena Lewis, Annie Mae Bailey, Agnes Briscoe, Troy Moody, James Brinson, T.M. Moody, unknown and Elizabeth Moody (teacher); (second row) Shil Davis, Viola Hollins Norwood, Betty Bush, Lillian Lawson, Tommy Porter, Marjorine Briscoe, Dilsy Wyatt and Mable Williams; (third row) Virginia Davis, Suzie Moody, Lorene Moody, Mainatte Davis, Sivanin Moody, Hattie Mae Lewis, Lula Moody and Lell Lawson; (fourth row) L.P. Porter, Roy Moody, Milford Briscoe, Leroy Brinson, Beedie Hollins, Pete Davis, Ben Lewis, Melvin Moody and Sam Moody; (seated) Henry Moody, Ralston Bennett, Robert Bennett and Eugene Moody.

To learn more about Mansfield history, check out the Mansfield Historical Museum, 102 N. Main St., open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. For more info, call 817-473-4250, emailmuseum@mansfieldtexas.gov or go to mansfieldhistory.org.

Photo courtesy of the Mansfield Historical Society.

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