Greenville in Hunt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Gussie Nell Davis

November 4, 1906 - December 20, 1993

Photographed by James Hulse, July 28, 2025

1. Gussie Nell Davis Marker

Inscription. Gussie Nell Davis founded one of the world's first dancing pep squads when she started the Flaming Flashes at Greenville High School in 1929. "Although there were several female drum and bugle corps or pep squads performing at football games, the Flaming Flashes were the first twirl-and-dance group," according to the Texas State Historical Commission's Handbook of Texas.

Ten years later, Davis was hired by Kilgore College to found the Rangerettes, a precision dance team that would gain world acclaim under her leadership. The Rangerettes were featured in television broadcasts, on the covers of magazines and performed at bowl games, presidential inaugurations, international events and high-profile parades before Davis' retirement in 1979.

Erected by Hunt County Public Art - A Keep Greenville Beautiful Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 33° 8.347′ N, 96° 6.368′ W. Marker is in Greenville, Texas, in Hunt County. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and Johnson Street (State Road 34), on the left when traveling east on Washington Street. The marker is located on the side wall

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of the building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greenville TX 75401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Water Works (here, next to this marker); The Cotton Trade (within shouting distance of this marker); Lt. Audie Leon Murphy (within shouting distance of this marker); Hunt County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); To our Hunt County Heroes (about 300 feet away); The Seven Courthouses of Hunt County (about 300 feet away); 1929 Hunt County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Hunt County Courthouse Dedication (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

Also see . . . Gussie Nell Davis: Pioneer of Dance-Drill Teams and Founder of the Kilgore Rangerettes. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Gussie Nell Davis, founder of the Kilgore Rangerettes (and therefore of the world-wide dance-drill team movement), daughter of Robert Augustus and Mattie Lavinia (Callaway) Davis, was born in Farmersville, Texas, on November 4, 1906. She attended public schools in Farmersville and, with the intention of becoming a concert pianist, entered the College of Industrial Arts (now Texas Woman's University), Denton, in 1923. She changed her major study to physical education
Photographed by James Hulse, July 28, 2025

2. Gussie Nell Davis Marker
and received a B.A. degree from CIA in 1927 and a M.A. from the University of Southern California in 1938.

(Submitted on July 31, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Gussie Nell Davis Marker along the wall of the building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 28, 2025

3. The view of the Gussie Nell Davis Marker along the wall of the building

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.