The history of Dunbar High School sports in Livingston will be featured and explored in this year’s Heritage Section which will publish later this summer and I am asking for your assistance.
For many years the staff of the Polk County Enterprise has produced an annual heritage section in which we’ve picked a local topic and then done a deep dive to examine its history, evolution and contribution to Polk County. Over the years, we’ve taken a closer look at the creation of Lake Livingston, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the local volunteer fire departments, the history of schools in Polk County, the individual communities of Polk County and a century of local reporting – just to name a few.
Nate Henderson and the late Johnny Walker spent years reviewing and compiling the history of local Dunbar High School sports with plans to publish a book. Following Walker’s death earlier this year (Jan. 29, 2025), Henderson decided it was time to share their work. When he approached me seeking input, I felt our annual Heritage Section would be an appropriate vehicle to recognize Walker’s and Henderson’s work. Additionally, I see this as the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked athletic dynasty that was Livingston’s Dunbar High School and honor those athletes and coaches, many of whom are no longer with us.
We are blessed to have numerous Polk Countians who are extremely knowledgeable about their respective communities and delight at the opportunity to share that information with others. Sharing this information and history with each other only enhances and adds to the rich tapestry that is woven through our shared stories.
We humbly encourage you to share your own stories, memories and photographs to make this year’s Heritage Section the special tribute it should be.
You may email your stories and photographs to me at editor@polkenterprise.com or to Henderson at nhenderson@sbcglobal.net. If you have photos but no way of sending them digitally, please contact me (936-327-4357, ext. 1010) to make other arrangements. Henderson may be reached at 713-806-1568. We are both very excited about this project and look forward to hearing from you.
