Three Forks All-School Reunion: Annual "Tidbits"

Some of the photos on the “Alumni Wall” in the Gilmore Room of the Headwaters Heritage Museum have faded over the years, and a project is now underway to restore them. The photos were copied from the museum’s collection of annuals (or yearbooks). While browsing through those annuals, I was reminded of doing the same for a booklet I put together for the 2008 All School Reunion. The following is that selection of annual “Tidbits” that I found to be interesting.

The first annual was produced in 1919, and this class gave the book its name, “Headwaters.” It contains a vast amount of information covering many topics. They also started the newsletter, also named “Headwaters.”

Many of the annuals had a theme, such as Cowboys and Indians in 1937, Hillbillies in 1949, Pirates in 1951, footsteps or feet in 1953, and music and musical notes in 1954. The 1948 annual had a Western theme with Seniors being “Tophands,” Juniors were “Wranglers,” Sophomores were “Cowhands,” and Freshmen were “Tenderfeet.” “Foremen” was the name given the faculty who were pictured in cowboy hats.

Sacajawea was represented once, in 1935. The Class of 1958 dedicated their annual to their mothers and fathers and included a picture of all their parents taken on the stage of the high school auditorium. Ironically, there is only one year in the museum’s annuals that was devoted to the railroad theme. That year was 1981, after the Milwaukee Railroad was gone.

The museum has a new display of school memorabilia. Open June through September, hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, and from 11 am to 3 pm on Sunday. The museum will be closed this year on the Fourth of July.

School alumni are encouraged to attend the 2021 All School Reunion being held at the John Q. Adams Railroad Park (sometimes called the Milwaukee Park) during Rodeo Weekend, July 16-17. Registration is from 2-7 pm Friday and 10 am-6 pm Saturday. Name tags and bottled water will be available at the registration. Feel free to bring your own chairs. To get your name on the contact list to receive updates regarding reunion plans, send your email address to [email protected], or call 406-209-0952.

While at the reunion, visit the new Trident and Railroad Heritage Center (formerly the Trident NP Depot) which is now open after years of restoration. Open from 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, it is located in the same park as the reunion.