Fields of Dreams: a look at school football stadiums
In today's world of high school sports and especially in the larger school districts, tax payers money in the form of big bond issues are used to build Taj Mahal edifices for the few players that are fortunate to make the squads. In the smaller classifications, not so much. In the early years little preparation for a field. Find a field large enough to carve out a football field. Mow the grass, dig up the non-useful plants like sunflowers and grass burs, etc. Maybe blade it off, put up the goal posts, line the field off and “viola” you were set to go. Might add bleachers later but mostly people either brought their own chairs, parked their cars around the field or stood outside the fences to watch the games.
Recently I read an article about Granger's plan to replace their football field as they looked forward to more growth from the Taylor area. I believe it stated this was the only football field that Granger has ever had. They began playing in 1913. That means my uncle (40's), myself (50”s) and my Tigers of the 70's all played on the same field. Can remember it ran north and south and definitely uphill all the way. Teams had the advantage when they headed south. There were a few small bleachers on the visitors side for seating. No doubt improvements were made in the next 60 years. I'm sure many can remember schools that have used the same football field as long as you can remember. Dripping Springs has had similar experiences as they have evolved in football. During their time Dripping Springs has had four fields of dreams.
The first football team in the history of Dripping Springs was formed in 1938. Their campus at the time was the DS Academy (now Masonic Lodge). It consisted of only a couple of acres and certainly no room for a football field. The first teams were sixman and the field they played on was a 40X80 playing field with 10-20 yard end zones. At the time, blocks one and two of the original plat of Dripping Springs had not been developed. Wallace and Spring streets stopped at San Marcos street and there was no RR 12 as today. For a long time the area had served as the town baseball field. The year before the football team was formed the DS Movie theater (now Wells Fargo Bank) was built on Lot 12, Block one, so this cut into the field.
I always thought it was in front of the theater but I could not visualize how they had room for a football field. So I visited with long time friend Clarence Cobb. He went to games as a kid but he did not remember where. He called his brother Joe, who actually played on the field and knew it was located ten yards east of the theater running north and south. The football field today would take in the drive-in bank and all the way to highway 290. No lights so all games were played in the daytime. In the beginning the school did not own this property but were allowed to play on it. In 1942, they purchased the property, then sold it in spring of 1947 so they could buy property for a new campus. The school was allowed to play the 1947 season which ended the first football field's term of duty.
The new campus would be a 21-acre plot across the branch which is the site of the Admin bldg and the old Walnut Springs school. The new campus would not be ready for school until 1949 but there would be a football season played there in 1948. The field was built on the southwest corner of the property which lies just west of the old gym and stretched to the Walnut Springs parking lot. Still no lights but that was remedied the next year when Will Crow was a major contributor to the campaign. Still no bleachers. Finally, in 1955, the community built stands that held around 300 plus a little pressbox that did well to hold two. The visitors were afforded small portable bleachers. In 1957 land was bought on the west side to become the backstop and infield with the football field serving as the outfield. For sure no permanent bleachers for visitors. As the school grew, new home bleachers were erected in 1971 for 800 and a much improved pressbox. The old bleachers were put on skids and moved across the field for the visitors. After the season it would be moved to the rodeo pens. In 1978, new lights were installed. School growth caused another campus move. In 1985 the new high school opened on 290 west (now DSMS). The football field was still not done after 37 years. After two years it was decided to put the original bleachers back on the field and have the MS play their games there until 1997 when construction for Walnut Springs began. Today, the old field is partially there as a reminder for those who participated on that hallowed ground in all forms. It has a small cinder track that served WSES.
The other two fields are still in operation. In 1985 the football field was established at the new high school site. It was a sod field with a cinder track. Also, the school got a great deal when a company messed up on their bid and we were able to move the 800-seat bleachers from the old field to become the visitors seating for a pittance. Can remember that first year most every game was played in the rain and the sod really took a beating. Eventually, an all-weather track and artificial turf were added. It was in a very scenic location. DSMS plays their games there.
Our present varsity stadium is the fourth. It was part of the bond issue for expanding the high school campus. It was completed for games by 2013.