Bosque County: Land and People (A History of Bosque County, Texas) Page: 43

South Neill's Creek." Each of the schools that
consolidated had a history all its own but
much of the information seems to have "gone
with the wind." However, short histories
follow on Cove Springs, Live Oak Grove, Mt.
View, Mustang, Meridian Creek and Boggy.
Consolidation of numerous smaller schools
with the Cranfills Gap School created a need
for a high school building. In 1938-39, the
present high school building was built by
WPA labor. H.H. Bronstad was superinten-
dent at that time. In 1955, a brick elementary
school was built.
In November, 1970, Cranfills Gap School
became a part of National Television cov-
erage by the Columbia Boradcasting System.
Charles Kuralt, The Man on the Go for CBS,
brought his television crew to Cranfills Gap,
went to Iredell, filmed and recorded the
District Championship Football game, Cran-
fills Gap vs. Iredell. Six-man football Charles
Kuralt had never seen, so he made it a part
of his Man on the Go program, a part of the
CBS evening News.
At the present time there are about 140
students who attend Cranfills Gap Schools
and who are enjoying a newly renovated high
school building, a remodeled cafeteria and a
newly decorated gymnasium.
The Gap, a Busy Place.
No one need to feel at a loss for something
to do in this little but busy place. All the
organizations and activities cannot be listed
but some are as follows: (1) Cranfills Gap
Water System established in 1926 with those
so desiring buying stock.. .water department
transferred to city in 1977...four wells supply
water, (2) Volunteer Fire Department com-
posed of three trucks and twenty members,
(3) With help from Farmers' Home Author-
ity, 24 housing units have been built to meet
the needs for adequate housing, (4) An
incorporated town since 1976, Cranfills Gap
then began a new era with a council and city
office headquartered in the City Hall. Also a
Chamber of Commerce adds to the progress
of the town, (5) Cranfills Gap Garden Club
protects and conserves natural resources.
The planting of trees and shrubs is an
ongoing project.
Two special annual festivities are the
Septemberfest and the Lutefisk Dinner. In
1978 the business people of the town orga-
nized a Retail Merchants' Association for the
purpose of promoting business. This organi-
zation later became known as the September-
fest Committee, a subsidiary of the Chamber
of Commerce. The second Saturday in Sep-
tember each year is the day for a colorful
parade, booths in which are exhibited arts
and crafts, special food, contests, groups of
musicians, Norwegian dancers and a street
dance. Attendance grows each year on this
day of excitement, fun and visiting.
The Lutefisk (dried fish imported from
Norway) Dinner is one of the most interesting
events in Cranfills Gap. The tradition began
many years ago, sponsored by the Ladies' Aid
of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. After several
years the crowds attending the dinner be-
came so large that the women of the church
felt they could not continue this custom.
Preparation alone of the fish is a slow,
difficult task requiring two weeks of constant
watching and caring, besides the cooking and
serving. In 1965 the Lions' Booster Club of
the school revived the tradition of serving the
Lutefish Dinner. People by the hundreds
come from near and far on the first Saturday

"Old Town" Cranfills Gap

I
"New Town" Cranfills Gap
' n om 9

43

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