The History of Alma High School Alma (population 386) is located in south-central Illinois in north-central Marion County. Illinois Route 37 angles through town from northeast to southwest. Interstate Highway 57 travels just west of town as well. The Illinois Central Railroad parallels Route 37 and travels through Alma too. Alma is located about 55 miles east of East St. Louis and 60 miles south of Decatur. Alma was named after a battle in the Crimean War (Europe) in which the French defeated the Russian army. This was a very newsworthy event in 1856, the year Alma was established. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Alma) The following history of the town and its educational beginnings was provided to us via research conducted by Jamie Driskill: “The Centralia Sentinel”; Centralia, IL; Aug. 6, 1910 p. 122; The Village of Alma The village of Alma was laid out and platted by John S. Martin in 1854. Additions have been made since by J.S. Martin, M. French, Samuel J. Tilden, S. McCullough, L.C. Pullen, N.D. Laughlin, L.C. Pullen, N.D. Laughlin, and J.W. Ross. The village is situated in sections 6 and 7, Alma township. The first stone house on the site of the original town was built by Dr. T.O. Hatton, father of Mrs. C.M. See. The town was first named Rantoul. As there was a town in the state by that name, the postoffice was named Grand Mound City in 1855. The town and postoffice were changed to Alma Dr. T.O. Hatton was the first doctor, the first merchant, and the first postmaster. Other postmasters have been: J.S. Martin, R.C. O’Bryant, J.R. Sloane, H.L. Allmon, C.M. See, T.E. Mayes, N. Warner, MV. Helton, I.A. Sprouse, T.B. McCartan (incumbent), H.P. Winks.
The first teacher in Alma public schools was Hugh Moor. Alma has had as teachers, J.B. Abbott, J.E. Whitchurch, and J.S. Knisley – in all four men who were county superintendents of schools.” The exact dates of operation for the high school in Alma are a little cloudy. We believe that Alma High School may never have offered more than two-years of high school education. Alma High School ceased offering high school curriculum in 1940. The high school-aged students of Alma were bused to Kinmundy to attend Kinmundy High School beginning in the Fall of 1940. The Alma School District continued to support a 1 – 8 grade school for 12 more years. It was in 1952 that the school districts of Kinmundy and Alma actually consolidated. It appears in research conducted on the neighboring town of Kinmundy that Kinmundy-Alma High School District was established in the Summer of 1952. The brick Alma High School building served as a grade school through at least the late 1970s. This building was raised in 1979. The Alma grade school building was utilized as part of the Kinmundy-Alma School District for several years, probably into the early 2000s. The building now sits, nicely kept, likely privately owned
Alma High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1920s? Year Alma High School closed: 1940 HS Students Began Attending: Kinmundy High School Year Kinmundy & Alma School Districts consolidated: 1952 Consolidated to: Kinmundy-Alma School District Alma HS team nickname: unavailable Alma HS team colors: Purple & White(?) Alma HS Fight Song: unavailable Athletics Alma High School competed in boys basketball with other schools in the area. It is probable that baseball and possibly track were offered as well. It is possible that Alma High School athletic teams did not utilize a mascot or have a school fight song. Coach’s names and team records are needed as well. If you have this information, please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.
Boys Basketball Scores involving Alma High School participating in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below. Season records, coaches’ names, and other information regarding Alma High School basketball are needed. 1922-23 through 1932-33 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed. 1933-34 Flora District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed 1st Rd lost to Parkersburg 27-21 Parkersburg lost to Louisville in 2nd Rd 1934-35 Effingham District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed 1st Rd Beat Sigel 33-18 2nd Rd lost to Teutopolis 41-10 T-town lost to Salem in title game 1935-36 Odin District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed 1st Rd lost to Odin 45-15 Odin lost to Trenton in title game 1936-37 through 1939-40 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed. Extra-Curricular Activities We are sure that attending Alma High School was an well-rounded experience. School plays, dances, clubs, and other activities were probably offered to the students who attended there. If you have any of this information, please contact us via the means listed below. To Provide Further Information On Alma High School Contact us via e-mial at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can also mail items to as at: IHSGD Website 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631 |
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