Historical Marker

Little School of the 400

Historical marker location:
310 S. Fifth St., Ganado, Texas
( Ganado Elementary School)
Marker installed: 2008
Marker size: 27" x 42"

The Little School of the 400 was an educational project developed to integrate Spanish-speaking school children into the mainstream public school population. The program sought to teach these children a vocabulary of 400 essential words to enable them to successfully complete the first grade. Isabel Verver, a 17-year-old Ganado High School student, read an article in a Spring 1957 issue of Texas Outlook Magazine that expressed Felix Tijerina's desire for such a program. Tijerina was a successful Houston businessman as well as the national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Verver contacted Tijerina and expressed her desire to implement such a program. Both Tijerina and Verver knew what it was like to be a first-grader unable to communicate with their teachers or fellow students, and hoped to remove that language barrier. Baytown educator Elizabeth Burrus supplied a list of 400 vocabulary words to Tijerina that she had formulated from years of teaching bilingual students. Verver taught the pilot class in Ganado during the summer of 1957 and produced 60 "graduates" in time for the fall school term. Seeing Verver's success, LULAC established similar classes in towns such as Vanderbilt, Edna, Sugar Land, Aldine, Brookshire and Wharton for summer 1958. Tijerina and members of LULAC worked for passage of House Bill 51 during the 56th Texas Legislature. The bill established a state-sponsored program called preschool instructional classes for non-English speaking children and eliminated the need for the privately funded "Little Schools." Head Start and other federally-funded programs of the 1960s eventually took the place of the state-sponsored program. (2009)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

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Texas random facts
Jack County, Texas is located in North Central Texas and has a rich and colorful history. It was initially inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Wichita and Comanche, before European settlers began to arrive in the early 19th century. The county was named after Patrick Jack, who served as a soldier in the Texas Revolution.

The first European-American settlers arrived in the area in the 1850s, drawn by the fertile land and abundant game. In 1856, the county was officially organized and the town of Jacksboro was established as the county seat. During this time, conflicts with Native American tribes were common, and several forts were constructed to protect the settlers, including Fort Richardson near Jacksboro.

The county played a significant role in the Civil War, with many residents joining Confederate forces. In 1862, a bloody battle known as the Battle of Dove Creek took place in Jack County, where Confederates clashed with a combination of Union troops and Native American allies.

After the war, Jack County experienced growth and development. Ranching became a primary economic activity, as the region was well-suited for cattle ranching. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, oil was discovered in the county, leading to a boom in the local economy.

Today, Jack County still maintains its agricultural heritage, with ranching and oil production remaining important industries. The county is also known for its rich historical sites, including Fort Richardson State Park, which preserves the history of the region's military past.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Jack County, Texas.

  • 1857 - Jack County is established by the Texas legislature.
  • 1858 - Fort Richardson is established near present-day Jacksboro.
  • 1864 - Battle of Dove Creek takes place between Confederate and Union forces in the county.
  • 1871 - Texas & Pacific Railroad reaches Jacksboro, boosting the local economy.
  • 1872 - Jacksboro is designated as the county seat.
  • 1883 - Chisholm Trail, used for cattle drives, passes through the county.
  • 1907 - Oil is discovered in Jack County, leading to a boom in the local economy.
  • 1919 - Jacksboro tornado causes significant damage and loss of life.
  • 1936 - Construction of Possum Kingdom Lake is completed.
  • 1950s - 1960s - The decline of the oil industry affects the county's economy.
  • 1990s - Present - Jack County focuses on diversifying its economy through tourism and agriculture.