Scroll through the vintage photo gallery below for scenes from Katy ISD FFA's early years.
The Katy Cowgirls with LD Robinson in the early '40s
KATY MAGAZINE | February 2018 Diana Elder & Ashley Lancaster Photography courtesy of Diana Elder and Katy ISD
1942
L.D. Robinson & students present scale model of his “dream plan” for the Katy FFA Chapter Agriculture Farm, Livestock Show, & Rodeo with lighted arena at the first FFA Father & Son Banquet, 1942, including the Katy ISD School Board, J. A. Marshal - TEA Director, & State officials.
The scale model built to showcase Robinson's plans for the future of the Katy FFA chapter.
1943
Robinson and the original Katy School Board, who approved his plans for the rodeo. (Left to Right: L.D. Robinson, Katy FFA Advisor, I.L. "Bud" Southward, Esten Denny, T.J. Heinemeier, Superintendent, Olan Thompson, Roy Beckendorrf, Gene Hoyt, M.D. Freeman, Not pictured: H.E. Romack.)
FFA students building pig pens and feeders for the first livestock show and rodeo.
Robinson (third from the left), with FFA rodeo participants and a few dads, getting ready for the big event on Ave D. and 10th St.
The first-ever rodeo and auction were held in a tent at Avenue D and 10th St.
Edwina Denny, Katy's first chapter sweetheart. Daughter of Katy Board member, Esten Denny.
Katy FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo parade led by Leonard Jordan and Albert Thompson, Sr. in the early 40's.
1945 - 47
Katy FFA Chapter's first grand champion steer in 1945. Shown by Tommy Taylor, bought by Howard West of Houston for $320.
1945 Katy FFA Chapter
Rodeo parade in 1946. Robinson hatched the idea of leading a parade through town before the event to encourage community involvement.
Robinson with the 1947 FFA Katy chapter.
1947 - Robinson's dream fulfilled. With the proceeds from previous years, students, parents, and the entire Katy community pitched in to build a show bardn, livestock barn, farm equipment storage barn, livestock pens, lighted rodeo arena with bleachers and pasture land at FM 1463 behind Katy High School.
1950's & Beyond
Robinson with a few of his students, showing their "mascot" Charolais bull, "Jonesy" who was used in their breeding cattle program.
FFA members tilling soil to plant hay crop on the FFA chapter farm.
Robinson with beloved wife, Ruby in 1968. She was actively involved in supporting her husband in the Katy FFA Agriculture Program and all his many chapter and community projects and programs. She was also a former educator and taught 4th grade while living in Katy.