The History of Anna High School
The city of Anna (population 5,136) is located in far southern Illinois in the center of Union County. The mighty Mississippi River is located 10 miles to the west of Anna and the busy college town of Carbondale sits 20 miles to the north. Roads leading to Anna include U.S. Route 51 which intersects with Il. Routes 146 and 127. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad runs some tracks through town as well. Creeks and rivers in the area include the Cache River, the Little Creek, and Lick Creek.
According to the Anna-Jonesboro School District web site (www.ajchs.union.k12.il.us/history.HTM) Anna traces its educational roots back to 1883 when the need for a school in town was recognized. Anna provided that education for its children until 1918 when its neighbor (and I mean neighbor!) to the southwest, Jonesboro High School, and a county school in the middle, Union High School, took up talks of consolidation. The High School was located at the Union High School facility and named the Anna-Jonesboro Commmunity High School District. This is probably one of the earliiest consolidation efforts in the state of Illinois. Anna-Jonesboro High School is still going very strong today.
There are two elementary schools in Anna, however it is not known if either is located in the original Anna High School building. We are hopeful an Anna resident can help us with this information.
Anna High School Quick Facts
Year opened: 1883
Year closed: 1918
Consolidated to: Anna-Jonesboro Community School District
School nickname: unavailable
School colors: unavailable
School Fight Song: unavailable
| Athletics
Anna definately offered track and probably offered basketball and baseball. More information is needed on the success of the basketball and baseball programs at Anna High School. The great track exploits and incredible accomplishments of one Anna trackster is listed below. Track & Field What can you say about the Anna track teams of 1903 and 1904? How about Dick Seay!! This name would be about all you would need. Dick Seay single handedly led Anna to a 2nd place finish in the 1904 state track meet. Dick Seay teamed with a fellow named Dillon in 1903 to lead Anna to a 4th place finish! The two great seasons in early Anna High School history are listed below, as researched through the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org). 1902-03 ANNA HIGH SCHOOL FINISHED 4TH IN THE STATE TRACK MEET! Anna High School Individual Placers Dick Seay 100 Yard Dash 2nd Place Dick Seay 220 Yard Dash 2nd Place Dillon Discus 3rd Place Final Team Standings – 1903 State Track Meet 1.) Chicago Hyde Park – 24 2.) Jacksonville – 14 3.) Pontiac – 10 4.) ANNA HIGH SCHOOL – 7 5.) Evanston – 6 Chicago Manual Minonk Chicago South Division Henry 10.) Taylorville – 5 Cuba Chicago Englewood Elmwood Oak Park-River Forest 1903-04 ANNA HIGH SCHOOL FINISHED 2ND IN THE STATE TRACK MEET!! Anna High School Individual Placers DICK SEAY 50 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION! DICK SEAY 100 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!! DICK SEAY 220 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!!! Final Team Standings – 1904 State Track Meet 1.) Pontiac – 20 2.) ANNA HIGH SCHOOL – 15 Jacksonville 4.) Oak Park-River Forest – 13 5.) Chicago North Division – 11 6.) Chicago Hyde Park – 10 7.) Rushville – 8 8.) Moline – 5 Riverside-Brookfield 10.) Chicago Lakeview – 4 Petersburg NICE JOB DICK SEAY!!!!!! IF You Have Any Further Information… …you can provide regarding Anna High School before its 1918 consolidation with Jonesboro and Union High Schools, especially stories and photos of the original high school building, great teams, athletes, and coaches, you can e-mail them to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631 |
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