John Neely Bryan settled on the east bank of the Trinity River in 1841, J.P. Dumas surveyed and laid out a townsite in 1844, and Dallas County proper was established in 1846. Our city is 166 years old and that’s certainly something to be proud of.
Another ‘old timer’ to be proud of is right here in our neck of the woods – Lake Highlands Elementary. Holding the distinction of being the first elementary school built in Lake Highlands, LHE celebrated its Golden Anniversary in October 2005.
To honor and celebrate that achievement, at 6 p.m. Thursday, LHE will hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to inaugurate its newly constructed Commemorative Brick Patio.
The ground for the 15’ x 15’ patio was broken on August 7, 2007. It is located on the NE corner in front of the school and is 225 square feet of reflective space under a shade tree. It currently holds 84 inaugural engraved bricks and tiles and with the exception of the blank bricks framing the patio, the remaining blank bricks and tiles will be available for purchase during the 2007-2008 school year.
LHE is one of only four elementaries in RISD boasting a commemorative brick patio. The idea of a commemorative brick ‘something’ to celebrate LHE’s 50 years began in late 2005 and found an enthusiastic following by the end of the 2007 school year. A wide variety of sentiments, sizes and logos were purchased by parents, teachers and members of the community, and the patio became a real possibility. With the backing of the LHE PTA, the patio became a reality.
While waiting for kids, families can rest on the patio bench and find their ‘Wildcats’, forever a part of this little Lake Highlands school history.
If you want to celebrate our very own neighborhood ‘old timer’, come on over to LHE, 9501 Ferndale, and check out the patio!
