Searching For Old Classmates That Attended
Riverview Elementary School
in
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Riverview Elementary School, Northeast corner at 12th & Frisco ( Photo courtesy Gayle Parks )
Hello,
My name is Roland Austin. I attended Riverview Elementary School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the years 1960-1964, until our house at 1232 S. Baltimore was razed to make way for the Broken Arrow Expressway. Today, the Westbound lane goes right over where my house was. Like everybody else, I have a nostalgic yearning for my childhood, especially, from my early years growing up in Tulsa and attending Riverview Elementary School, named as such because you could "view" the Arkansas River from the high setting the building was on. The building is no longer there, but the lot/playground still is. It is my desire to preserve the memory of this institution, a part of Tulsa history, and an important part of my life.
My goal with this page is to share some of my memories from that period and, hopefully, contact some old classmates (and, hopefully, teachers) who share my desire. Sadly, I have no pictures of the teaching staff, and only the above photo of the building (another photo of the school building and playground ca. 1940's can be seen by clicking here. Thanks to Charlie Tooley for sending this photo that appeared in the Tulsa Riverview Neighborhood Association newsletter). It is my hope that some of you have access to photos, home movies, or other items related to the school that you will allow us to add to this page. Also, if you have any fond memories you would like to share, please send them and we will post them in our Memory Book.
Roland Austin, L to R: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade (Cub Scout, 1963)
Photo and caption that appeared on the front page of the December 23, 1964, Tulsa World. This photo was taken during my last week at Riverview (possibly even the last day of school before Christmas break) at the 12th and Denver school crossing while walking home from school in the 4th grade. I am the boy in the rear with my coat hood down (also wearing Hush Puppies shoes). My friend in front is Charles Rawlins. It is difficult to see in the photo, but we are both carrying Zero candy bars. We had just come from getting our 5¢ candy bars at the Modern Food Market when a man with a camera came up to us and told us he was going to take our picture while walking across the street. Why he picked us is unknown, as there were many other kids around, but I am glad he did. I bet a lot of the kids who lived East of Denver remember the school crossing guard in the photo, Mr. George Hunt. Mr. Hunt's "Season's Greetings" idea is still used on Tulsa school crossing guard signs today.
STUDENT PHOTOS
Jerry Franks, 3rd Grade, 1962-63
Andrea "Andy" Parks, Kindergarten
Gayle Parks, 3rd Grade, 1960-61
Judy Roberts, 2nd Grade, 1962
Send your picture and we will add it to our album.
Some classmates and teachers that I remember:
CLASSMATES
Tim Lannom Philip Merry Danny Atkison Judy Roberts
Jerry Franks Billy Straw Bobby Straw Vaughn Bearden
Steve Johnson Kathy Dean Kenny Carpenter Charles Rawlins
Matt Clark Mark Clark Cathy Reynolds Walter Wilson
Jimmy Rice Chris Laitzis (sp) Wanda Goforth Connie Weems
TEACHERS
Mary Louise Whitely (Speech, Drama, Library)
Betty Nash (Music)
John Smith (Physical Education)
Don Zimmerman (Physical Education)
Mrs. Spann (1st Grade)
Mrs. Lela Logan (Kindergarten)
This is a note given me by Miss Whiteley during my last year at Riverview.
Required dramatizing by Miss Whiteley's students
Who has seen the wind?
by Christina Georgina Rossetti
"Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you;
But when the leaves hang trembling
The wind is passing thro'
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I;
But when the trees bow down their heads
The wind is passing by."
Remember how we had to recite this poem and stretch the words to simulate the sound of wind?
Whoooooooo haaas seeeeeeeeeen theeeeee winnnnnnnnnnnd?
While this site is being developed, please send comments or help to Roland Austin by clicking on the mail:
