2018-158 Frederick Douglas Moore Historical MarkerDate: November 2, 2018 Report No. 2018-158
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Frederick Douglas Moore Denton County Historical Marker
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
A Denton County Historical Marker honoring Frederick Douglas Moore is planned for installation
in Fred Moore Park. The project was initiated by Elise Clements to achieve her Girl Scout Gold
Award. The Denton County Historical Commission is sponsoring the project by approving and
funding the marker. Installation will be performed by the Parks and Recreation Department’s
(PARD) Park Maintenance Division. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the
year.
BACKGROUND:
In April 2018, Elise Clements contacted PARD and proposed the installation of a historical marker
in Fred Moore Park to honor the park’s namesake, Frederick Douglas Moore. Miss Clements is a
resident of Denton and student at Denton High School. She has led previous projects on the
installation of historical markers including the Beulah Harriss Texas Historical Marker located in
Quakertown Park. There is currently no interpretive or educational signage at Fred Moore Park
regarding the park’s name. Her proposal is part of a project to achieve the Girl Scout Gold Award.
Miss Clements provided PARD the documentation submitted to the Denton County Historical
Commission for the marker which included the application for consideration, a formal historical
narrative on Frederick Douglas Moore, and the marker inscription. The information was reviewed
with the Mayor, District 1 Council Member Gerard Hudspeth, and the South East Denton
Neighborhood Association (SEDNA). The Denton County Historical Commission approved the
project on September 20, 2018 and is sponsoring the marker by providing funding for its purchase.
Staff from PARD’s Park Maintenance will select a site that takes full advantage of visibility,
stability, and preservation of the marker. The marker is expected to be installed by the end of the
year and will compliment a Frederick Douglas Moore Texas Historical Commission marker
approved for placement at Fred Moore High School.by the State and the Denton Independent
School District
CONCLUSION:
PARD will organize a public unveiling of the marker once the project is complete.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Exhibit 1 Denton County Historical Commission Project Application and Historical Narrative
Exhibit 2 Marker Proof
STAFF CONTACT:
Laura Behrens
Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
Laura.Behrens@cityofdenton.com
Frederick Douglas Moore
1875-1953
Historical Narrative written
By Girl Scout Senior Elise Clements
For a Denton County Historical Commission Marker
I. CONTEXT
African Americans faced numerous challenges after emancipation. The first U.S. Census
including population figures for the City of Denton, occurred in 1870, recording 361 residents
(329 white and 32 African American).1
Despite obstacles, African Americans began to establish communities in the City of
Denton. One of these communities that emerged near the Denton square would be called
Quakertown in honor of the northern abolitionist Quakers. The small community built churches,
restaurants, lodges, a physician’s office, and other small businesses. The first recorded public
building was the Fred Douglass School in 1878. It became the main incentive to bring people to
the neighborhood by offering their children a free education. The school opened with 25 enrolled
students, and by 1895, the school had 162 students.2
Around 1910, a vacancy became available at the school. With encouragement from his
wife, Frederick Douglas Moore began studying and earned a teacher’s certificate.3 The Fred
Douglass School was located in the center of the Quakertown community, near the current
Woman’s Club Building. H.C. Bell served as the school's first principal and held the position
until his death in 1913. J.T. McDonald replaced him, followed by Fred Moore accepting the
position in 1915.4
In September 1913, a fire destroyed the building and forced the community to relocate
the school.5 Classes were held in the basement of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church
until a new building was complete in June of 1916.6 The new school was located in the southeast
part of Denton near the current Fred Moore School.7
With Moore’s guidance, the school continued to grow. In October 1949, a new school
renamed for Fred Moore opened.8 Fred Moore School was opened to all grade levels with
elementary through high school. Intergration of the school started with the high school students
in 66-67 and then junior high in 67-68, elementary school in 68-69.9 Twenty-four years later, in
1992, the school reopened as the alternative school that could offer students flexibility in their
education.10
Moore was honored in May 1948 with the dedication of the Fred Moore Park. He quoted
a line from President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address during his acceptance speech, “Few of us
will remember what was said here, but most of us will never forget what has been done here.”11
Frederick Douglas Moore, (1875-1953) a grandson of slaves, whose parents were
illiterate, became one of the most well respected citizens in the city of Denton, Texas. His hard
work and leadership helped to set many of Denton’s African American youth on the path to self-
improvement and successful careers.12 Moore's career in education spanned nearly 40 years until
his death in 1953.13
II. OVERVIEW
It was a cold and snowy day on January 1, 1875, when local physician Dr. Louisa
Mansfield Owsley delivered Fredrick Douglas.14 Mrs. Owsley arrived in Denton in 1872 with
her husband Dr. Henry Owsley.15
She was credited for being the first female homeopathic medicine doctor in Denton,
delivering over 4,000 babies in the span of 34 years.16 It was at the suggestion of Dr. Owsley that
the baby be named after the famous African American civil rights leader Frederick Douglass.
Fred’s mother was Mary Jane "Janie" Goodall, an African American whose parents had been
slaves. When Fred was first born, she worked for a family in west Denton that allowed her to
carry the baby to work with her. The job didn’t pay much money, but occasionally she was paid
in food and clothes for young Fred.17
Fred’s father, a Native American man, disappeared six months before Fred was born.
This left Janie, to raise the young child alone until she met and married Henry Lucien Moore
when Fred was one year old. Henry adopted the young boy, and his name was changed to
Frederick Douglas Moore.18
Before his second marriage to Janie, Henry Lucian Moore was once a servant to Sam
Bass, an infamous Texas outlaw.19 Once married, Henry’s traveling adventures ended and the
family settled two miles south of the Owsley home, and Janie went to work for them. Henry
worked various jobs that included the Davenport Mill, the brick plant, and as the first African
American janitor at the North Texas State College, now known as University of North Texas.20
The Moore family lived in a one-room log house with two windows. Outside the home,
ducks, geese, chickens, and pigs would roam the swept yard, a landscape tradition once common
in the Deep South. The grass was scraped away with a hoe, leaving the ground to be swept
regularly to keep it free of grass and weeds. The hard soil would eventually become stone-like.
Pear, plum, and peach trees grew in an orchard behind the house.21
As a child, Fred used clay to make figures of people and animals, and he mixed mud with
sticks to make tiny houses. He loved to play in the yard with the neighbors. As members of the
Methodist Church, the Moore home was also a stop for circuit preachers.
Fred started school when he was seven years old. By the time he was ten, he had learned
to write so well he was appointed secretary of the Sunday School at his church. He was a good
student and learned to play many musical instruments. School ended for him in ninth grade.
His first job was at a bank. He later estabilished a barbershop located under the Denton
County National Bank on the southeast corner of the square. Later, he moved his shop to Oak
Street, just off the square. Moore remained a barber for nine years.
He continued his musical talents by organizing a 14-piece band that played for events all
over the county. He also organized a string band that would play at dances. Through time, his
bands became popular, and he became known as “The Professor.”
While his band was playing at a Juneteenth picnic in Lewisville, he met Sadie
La’Frances who became his bride in 1902. Sadie, a seamstress who tailored suits, dresses, and
uniforms for both local colleges in Denton along with doing sewing jobs for the local dry goods
stores. When she and Fred married, Sadie made her own wedding dress for their big church
wedding.
Sadie convinced Fred he should turn to education after hearing there was a vacancy at the
African-American school in Denton. After passing his examination, he earned his teaching
certificate.22 In 1915, he became the principal of what was then the Fred Douglass School, a four
room school with only one assistant, Miss Ella Hampton.23
He continued his education by attending Prairie View State Normal and Industrial
College from 1917 to 1921. He later attended Fisk University in Tennessee and did graduate
work at Columbia University in New York.24
Fred Moore became a highly respected member of the Denton community. The Fred
Moore School was dedicated in 1949, named after the man who had been a mentor for Denton’s
students for many years. A city park was also named in his honor in 1948.25
Moore’s daughter, Alice Alexander, was recognized as an outstanding educator like her
father. She retired from teaching after 45 years. Forty-one of those years were spent at the Fred
Moore School.26 Following her death, Mrs. Alexander received the same recognition as her
father. In 1909, the Daughters of the Confederacy petitioned the school board to rename the
central school as the Robert E. Lee School.27 The name continued until 2017 when the Denton
ISD school board voted unanimously to rename the school after Alice Alexander beginning with
the 2018-2019 school year.28 Moore had three other daughters who went on to have long careers
in education, nursing, and service. Hazel Moore Young taught school in Gainesville for 19 years
and another 12 years in Denton. She became the assistant director of the Fred Moore Day
Nursery. Daisy Moore Punch worked for 25 years as a maid at North Texas State University’s
Bruce Hall. Lela Moore LaBlondell worked at the hospital for 37 years. The Moore family also
had two sons and a daughter who died as children: Charles Wilburn Moore (1913-1920), Fred D.
Moore Jr. (1906-1907), and Nina V. Moore (1904-1904).29
III. SIGNIFICANCE
Not many men dedicate their entire life to making a difference to the lives of African-
Americans in their community as Frederick Douglas Moore did. He was known for his character,
integrity, and perseverance to help African-American students obtain a better education. He
served his community well and is remembered for his contribution to Denton and its citizens.
On August 20, 1876, “Colored School #17 ” was established. There were 25 students.
The first teacher was J.A. Blackburn. The name was later changed to Frederick Douglass. It was
successful for many years until September 1913, when a mysterious fire burned the school.30
Classes were held at the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church until the new school
building was completed in June of 1916 in southeast Denton. The school retained the name Fred
Douglass School until the late 1940’s.31 Moore served as principal of Denton’s only school for
African Americans from 1915 to 1953.32
Moore influenced generations of students with his philosophy based on the following
rules of conduct:
"Exercise self-control; control tongues, thoughts, temper, and actions.
Be thrifty.
Never ridicule or defile the character of another.
Keep your self-respect, and help others to keep theirs.
Kindness; be kind in thoughts and never despise anyone.
Be kind in speech, never gossip or speak unkindly of others.
Good health is important. Keep yourself clean in body and mind.
Be self-reliant, but listen to the advice of wiser and older people.
Develop independence and wisdom.
Act according to what seems right and fair.
Never fear being laughed at for doing what is right.
Be brave. A coward does not make a good citizen.
Always play fair. Never cheat.
Always treat your opponents with courtesy."33
On October 8, 1947, Denton voted to build the Fred Moore Negro School.34 Two years
later, the new school, located at the intersection of Mill and Hill Street in Denton was officially
dedicated on October 2, 1949. The new school contained a library, combination gym,
auditorium, manual training shop, and a large homemaking department. The school’s enrollment
that year was 366 students. All but the first three grades were housed in the new building. Those
three grades were located in a building beside the new school. Moore explained, “the building
was far superior in quality to any Negro school in Dallas.”35 At the dedication, Moore received
the Man of the Year Award from the Applause Magazine. He said, “I’m happier than the
President of the United States.”36
In the late 1940’s, Moore, along with his daughter Alice Moore Alexander, were
instrumental in starting the first Negro scouting troops for the youth in Denton. Fred served as
committee chairman of Denton’s first “colored” Boy Scout troop, while Alice, the first grade
teacher at Fred Moore School, became a troop leader.37, 38
In 1947, the citizens had the privilege of selecting the name of a new park.39 When the
results were tallied, Fred Moore had received the largest number of votes. The new park was
named “Fred Moore Park.” At the dedication, Moore used the words of President Lincoln in his
Gettysburg Address, “Few of us will remember what was said here, but most of us will never
forget what was done here.” This dedication was an act of benevolence and friendly relationship
between the white and black citizens of Denton.40
Moore also worked to get the cemetery space in southeast Denton known as the Oakwood
Cemetery. With the help of Luther Lambert, Arthur Cockran, Jack Allen, and George Whitten,
Moore raised $70.00. He carried the money to the City Council and requested the land for the
Negro Cemetery be located on East Prairie Street. The council accepted the money, and donated
the land for Moore's efforts.41
A campaign launched by Fred Moore in July 1953, helped raise funds to pave the section
of Prairie Street located in Denton’s black district. According to Moore, “if the colored districts
have paved streets it will benefit everyone in Denton.”42
The Soroptimist Club and the Business and Professional Women’s Club took the lead by
starting a day nursery for African American children of working mothers. The nursery opened on
July 19, 1955, in the Community Building of Fred Moore Park. These organizations saw the
need for a nursery after three young children burned to death while their parents were at work.43
The center began with one volunteer, Fred Moore’s daughter Hazel Moore Young, who cared for
ten children the first year. The nursery was eventually given the name Fred Moore Day Nursery
School.44
On September 30, 1953, Denton Record Chronicle reported the death of Fred Moore on
the front page of the paper. The article stated "Denton had lost one of its most valuable assets, as
he was one of the most influential citizens Denton boasted. He was a real gentleman of the Old
South, and his influence with his people as well as his white friends was great. He was listened to
by the people of Denton and his advice was often sought by his friends of both races."45
Before the integration of all high school students into Denton High School in the late
1960’s, the measure of inequality between the two high school principals was seen in the 1940
Denton County census. The census that year recorded the amount of wages or salary earned for
each person. Wages for Fred Moore, principle of Fred Moore High School since 1915, were
listed as $950.00.46 Wages for Amos O. Calhoun, principal of Denton High School since 1919,47
were listed as $3,000.00.48 Both men had attended Columbia University, so the amount of
education should not have been a determining factor in their salaries.49, 50
Fred Moore did not live long enough to see the integration in schools. The Denton School
Board decided on June 29, 1967, to close the Fred Moore High School in September of that year
and to phase out the Fred Moore Junior High in 1968. Their reasoning was it was not economical
to try and build a good high school for only 112 students. The action also was taken in
compliance with the Civil Rights Act.51
Bill Rives wrote an article in the Denton Record Chronicle about Fred Moore in 1968,
the same year the Fred Moore School closed. Although Rives had never met Fred Moore, he
wished he had. He said "I wished there were more Fred Moores in the world. If there were, it
would be a better place." Fred Moore was a modest African-American citizen of Denton. In his
later years, his family and friends urged him to write a book. Moore said he would like to, but the
trouble was he hadn’t done enough. That’s what he thought, but others didn’t agree. Fred Moore
had some marvelous rules for building character. He said, for example, “Good Americans control
themselves. [those] who best control themselves can best serve their country.” Keep your self-
respect, and help others to keep theirs. Sadie Moore, Fred’s wife, said, “he had said so many
times that Denton was the finest city for getting along well in the United States,” that the close
relationship between the races would be enjoyed and appreciated, and that “there can’t be a
better place in which to live and grow than Denton.”52
IV. DOCUMENTATION
1 U.S. Census (1870), Denton County Texas.
2 "Quakertown" by Laura Douglas, Texas Historical Commission Historical Subject Marker
Historical Narrative, 2010, p.2. # 5507016681, Denton County Historical Commission.
3 Moore, Sadie, Fred Moore, Denton TX: Terrill Wheeler Printing, (N.D.) pp. 21-22.
4 Bridges, C. A., History of Denton, Texas From Its Beginning (Waco, Texas, Texian Press)
1978, p.293.
5 "Negro Schoolhouse Burns." Denton Record Chronicle, 8 September 1913, p.3.
6 "Quakertown" Narrative, p.2.
7 "Names of schools honor men of the South." Denton Record Chronicle, 4 July 1976, p.97.
Web. 27 March 2018.
8 "Open House This Afternoon To Dedicate Fred Moore School." Denton Record Chronicle, 02
October 1949, p.17A. Web. 27 March 2018.
9 "Plan for Desegregation Outlined." Denton Record Chronicle, 23 April 1969.
10 Fred Moore High School, About Our School, http://www.dentonisd.org/domain/5864
11 "Fred D. Moore Park Dedicated." Denton Record Chronicle, 2 May 1948, p.7. Web. 27 March
2018.
12 "Black History: Its focus centers on three things, the school, churches and Fred Moore."
Denton Record Chronicle, 04 July 1976, p.46. Web. 11 January 2018.
13 "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K39W-SV8 : 13 March 2018), Fred Douglas Moore, 28
Sep 1953; citing certificate number 45505, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm
2,113,982
14 Moore, p.19.
15 "Woman Doctor Arrived In 1872." Denton Record Chronicle, 03 February 1957, p.51. Web.
20 March 2018.
16 Veeder Ph.D., Gerry, Louisa Mansfield Owsley, Denton’s First Homeopathic Doctor, Web. 27
March 2018. http://www.dentonhistory.net/page21/
17 Cochran, Mike, Fred Moore: An African-American Leader in Denton, Web. 27 March 2018
http://www.dentonhistory.net/page32/page1/
18 Handbook of Texas Online, Randolph B. Campbell, "Moore, Frederick Douglas," Web. 24
March 2018 https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fmoor
19 Moore, p.13.
20 Moore, p.15.
21 Moore, p.19.
22 Keith Shelton, "Yesteryear: Denton’s African-American community owes much to Fred
Moore." Denton Record Chronicle, 17 February 2018, Web. 20 March 2018.
http://www.dentonrc.com/news/news/2018/02/17/yesteryear-dentons-african-american-
community-owes-much-fred-moore
23 Moore, p.24.
24 Moore, p.22.
25Denton Record Chronicle, 1948, p.7.
26Denton Record Chronicle, 1976, p.46.
27 Bridges, 1978, p.265.
28 Trustees Approve the Names for Two Elementary Schools, Web. Accessed 28 March 2018
http://www.dentonisd.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=15
910&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-
3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=140976&PageID=1
29 Denton Record Chronicle, 1976, p.46.
30 Quakertown, City of Denton, Denton County, Texas, Colored Public Free School. p.72.
Records on file at Denton County History and Culture Reference Room Courthouse on the
Square
31 "Quakertown" Narrative, p.2.
32 "Fred Moore Happy As If He Were U.S. President." Denton Record Chronicle, 02 October
1949, p.17B. Web. 16 March 2018.
33 Cochran, p.1.
34 "Public Schools Established In 1882." Denton Record Chronicle, 02 August 1953, p.63. Web.
15 March 2018.
35 Denton Record Chronicle, 1949, p.17A.
36Denton Record Chronicle, 1949, p.17B.
37 "Troop 220 For Negro Boy Scouts Is Organized." Denton Record Chronicle, 07 February
1947, p. 9. Web. 16 March 2018.
38 "Negro Girl Scouts Plan Hike, Supper." Denton Record Chronicle, 28 October 1946, p. 5.
Web. 16 March 2018.
39 "Negroes May Suggest Names For New Park." Denton Record Chronicle, 10 October 1947
p.4. Web. 16 March 2018.
40 Denton Record Chronicle, 1948, p.7.
41 Moore p.31.
42 "Funds Sought By Fred Moore To Pave Negro Section Street." Denton Record Chronicle, 16
June 1953, p.6. Web. 02 March 2018.
43 "Nursery For Working Mothers To Open In Fred Moore Park." Denton Record Chronicle, 17
July 1955, p.12. Web. 29 March 2018.
44 Fred Moore Day Nursery, About Our Nursery. Web. 29 March 2018
http://www.fmdns.org/about/
45 R.J. Edwards, "Round About Town." Denton Record Chronicle, 30 September 1953, p.1.
Web. 18 March 2018.
46 "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWJY-MWD : accessed 1 April 2018), Fred Moore,
Denton, Justice Precinct 1, Denton, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 61-5,
sheet 63A, line 30, family 484, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital
publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.:
National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4020.
47 Denton High School, The Bronco, Yearbook of Denton High School, 1940, yearbook, 1940;
Denton, Texas.
(texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth743021/m1/9/?q=1940%20denton%20bronco: accessed
April 1, 2018), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History,
texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Denton Public Library.
48 "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWJT-V9B : accessed 1 April 2018), Amon O
Calhoun, Denton, Justice Precinct 1, Denton, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district
(ED) 61-5, sheet 61B, line 41, family 434, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA
digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington,
D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4020.
49 "Denton Senior High School" by Nita Thurman, Historical Narrative written in 1980, p.4.
Texas Historical Commission Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, #5507015689
50 Moore, p.24.
51 "Denton Area News Of The Week In Review." Denton Record Chronicle, 02 July 1967, p.5.
Web. 15 March 2018.
52 "Views by Bill Rives," Denton Record Chronicle, 5 January 1968, p.1-2