Bralley-Pendleton School, Honey Grove
A detailed history of the Bralley-Pendleton School is on the Fannin County Historical Commission website.
More photos are HERE
Bralley-Pendleton School
The first school for African Americans in Honey Grove began in 1882 with 20 students and one teacher. The school was named for F. M. Bralley, an early superintendent. By 1911 there were 188 students and two teachers. Bralley became a high school in 1925 when Smith Hill School opened for elementary grades. But the two schools were joined again in 1934. In 1959 the school was renamed in honor of its long-term principal John W. Pendleton. After the Honey Grove Schools were integrated in 1965-66, the Bralley-Pendleton school buildings were sold and razed.
An article in the Honey Grove Signal-Citizen of November 2, 1956 reported that there were three teachers and over one hundred pupils. The last name of the Superintendent was Denny.
A great deal of information about the Bralley school was published in the Dallas Express, a weekly African American newspaper. See our digest of Honey Grove articles from the Dallas Express.
From the Dallas Express May 27, 1922:
Bralley High School
The commencement exercises of Bralley high school was a success. Program
Chorus - Come Where the Lilies Bloom
Invocation . . . Rev. Felix Logan
Chorus - Amy Own America, I Love But Thee Alone
Class Play - The Call of the Colors
Duet - Joan of Arc, Misses Grace Hart and Classie Loggins
Address and presentation of diplomas, D. W. Rowton, Pres. of School Board
As reported in the Dallas Express, the class of 1923 was Misses Willie Mae Collaway, Lillie May Couts, laura Etta Nicholson, Tommie Franklin Shaw, Sarah Smith, Donnie Perdue and Lottie Yoakum.
From the Honey Grove Signal-Citizen,
May 12, 1944
1949 - See the 1949 Commencement Program.
The members of the graduating class were Blanche Allen, Fannie Dennis, Iona Bonita Dennis, Edward Furtch, Bruce Wayland Nash, Barbara Fae Thompson, Erma Jarvis Walker, Jennie V. Washington and Van Hearne.
The faculty was Mrs. J. T. Garnett, Mrs. J. C. Bridges, Miss W. P. Lewis, Mrs. L. J. Jackson, Mrs. M. E. Johnson, Mrs. Ruth Turner, Mrs. E. M. Andrews, Mrs. Oceloa Wheeler, Mrs. C. M. Pendleton, Mr. Robert L. Boone. J. W. Pendleton, Principal.
1961 - Click here to see the 1961 Commencement Program.
1986 Alumni Association Program