In 1927 America was riding high. It was the Roaring Twenties. The stock market was booming and alcohol was something to be enjoyed behind closed doors and out of the law's way. The Great Depression and all its misery was still a couple of years away. The future looked bright.
The Twin Cities were doing pretty well, too. With the railroad, agriculture and various industries, it was a good time for the local economy and a city on the grow. But the city had seen a need that wasn't being filled. Something that would brighten the futures of thousands of young people in the decades to come.
So on Sept. 20, 1927, Texarkana College opened its doors to 109 students. It was part of the Texarkana Independent School District back in those days and shared a campus with Texas High at 16th and Pine.
TC weathered the Depression and kept growing. After World War II, it became clear a new campus was needed. In 1948 voters approved a bond issue for land and construction and in 1953 the new college was open on Robison Road with nearly 600 students attending.
Since then TC has seen continued growth as well as some rocky times. But 90 years after its founding, the college is still a vital part of the local educational landscape. It has helped pave the way for thousands of area young people to secure their degrees and contributed so much back to the community along the way.
Congratulations to Texarkana College on 90 years. And here's to 90 more.