Ozona History

May 21, 1936
Crockett County spent an average of approximately $76.50 per pupil in the public schools during the past year for the education of its youth, according to an interesting group of figures compiled by Supt. C.S. Denham in the preparation of annual reports of the school year’s work to be forwarded to the State Department of Education. This figure represents total expenditures of the school year, including administrative and teachers’ salaries and all school maintenance and material costs. The average expenditure for the whole state of Texas is $63.76 per pupil, figures from the department of education reveal.

May 23, 1946
A beautifully printed certificate of appreciation “on behalf of the war-distressed peoples of Great Britian and Northern Ireland” for the help of the American Red Cross during the long years of war was received this week by the Ozona Chapter, American Red Cross. The certificate, bearing in full colors the coats of arms of various boroughs in England, Scotland and Wales, was prepared and mailed from London by the Women’s Voluntary Services of England and reads in full as follows: On behalf of the war-distressed people of Great Britian and Northern Ireland, the Women’s Voluntary Services tender thanks to you for your generous help given during the long years of battle against Nazi tyranny.

May 17, 1956
More than 2,000 young turkeys out of a flock of 3,300 which had just been received a few days before and were being located on the C.O. Walker ranch north of Ozona were chilled to death by the early morning rain and wind Tuesday morning. The young birds were on open range, but shelters had been provided. The high winds which accompanied the heavy rain served to chill the birds after they were wet and they succumbed in piles. The loss is fully covered by insurance. Walker is still to receive another 3,300 young turkeys under a contract arrangement with the Paymaster Feed Co.

May 19, 1966
For the next five weeks a pair of Ozona newcomers will become thoroughly steeped in Ozona and Crockett County history and traditions as they work on planning the Diamond Jubilee pageant to be presented the last four nights of the Jubilee week celebration. They are Mr. and Mrs. Mel Eckerstrom, producer directors of the pageant for the Rogers Producing Co., employed by the Jubilee Corp. to stage the pageant. Mr. Eckerstrom had considerable experience in show business before becoming a full-time director with the Rogers Co. 
As far back as 1950, Eckerstrom had his own band which played in around the Chicago area and his home town of Waukegan, Ill. During his college days, Eckerstrom did Summer Stock with such fine theatrical groups as the Lake County Players, the Stagecoach Summer Theater and many others. Radio, T-V and Convention work add to Eckerstrom’s credits. 
Eckerstrom’s lovely wife, Judith, does the choreography and helps coordinate backstage activities in his productions. Her years of dancing experience have proved to be a great asset in staging the various dance lines. Together this team has proved to be one of great success in business management and production of outdoor pageants.

May 20, 1976
OZONA LANDMARK HEADS WEST down Hwy. 290. The house, one of the first in Ozona, is the old George Davis home. It was built on what is now Waterworks Dr. behind and across from the First Baptist Church, where it was moved from late last week. The flags seem to be flying from the old house but are really in the park beyond. When built, the house was part o f a utility complex which pumped water to the town of Ozona, furnished electricity, and had an ice-making plant. Homes were not heated with natural gas at that time. One of the Davis daughters is still an Ozona resident, Mildred Davis Fields.