Dora school district celebrates history

Local columnist

link Betty Williamson

In a county that now has only four school districts — Dora, Elida, Floyd, and Portales — it might surprise some to know that over the last century more than 100 schools have come and gone.

When Dora celebrated its centennial a few years ago, students there completed a project identifying the communities that are now included in their district. They found 32 — many long gone — including Allie, Belcher, Bluitt, Buffalo Soldier Hill, Carter, Causey, Cromer, Dora (of course), Emzy, Garrison, Givens, Grand Prairie, Hiway, Inez, Leach, Lingo, Longs, Mann, Milnesand, Minco, Mt. Vernon, Need, New Hope, Nobe, Pep, Red Lake, Redland, Richland, Roebuck, Rogers, Roller, and Tartop.

Most boasted at least a post office, a school, and a store or two, but time and declining population took their toll. The last consolidation — when Causey closed and its students started making the trek to Dora — came in 1973.

Every five years or so, the south county schools gather at Dora for a reunion. Today’s alumni list includes graduates from Dora, Causey and Rogers, and a handful from Lingo. Graduates from the other small schools have largely passed on by now.

The last reunion was held in 2011, but the next is coming up in a few months, a shift in date to get the event back to years ending with “5” or “0” to make it easier for absent-minded people like me.

If you, your family members, or your friends attended, graduated from, or worked at any of the schools in what is now the Dora district, please mark your calendar for July 11 and help us spread the word. Mailings with more information should be going out within a month. If you have moved in the last few years, or never heard about the last reunion, please share your contact information with us.

You may email information to [email protected], or send a note to Dora Reunion in care of Dora Consolidated School, P.O. Box 327, Dora, NM 88115.

Betty Williamson missed a key meeting and accidentally got elected president. She knows better. You may reach her at [email protected]