The History of Baylis High School Baylis (population 265) is located in western Illinois in the northeast portion of Pike County. County Highway 2 is the main roadway leading to and from Baylis. Baylis is located about 25 miles southeast of Quincy, and about 10 miles northwest of Pittsfield. The Norfolk Southern Railroad travels just south of Baylis. The history of the town of Baylis and its former high school has been difficult to research via the internet. The following informaiton regarding Baylis High School was sent to us by Bill Blake: “The Baylis High School building was constructed in 1921 and opened for classes in September, 1922. When it opened it housed a 3-year high school as well as 8 elementary grades. The high school occupied the 2nd floor and the elementary grades on the lower level. The school was called Hi-Point, so named because Baylis was considered the highest point between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The building was constructed of beautiful red brick and had a great, wide stairway to the second floor with wide railings perfect for sliding down if no teachers were watching. There was a huge well kept front lawn that was not to be walked on by anyone. A playground occupied one side of the building and there were several acres of land behind the building used for parking, track events, and ball games.
The high school was disbanded in 1948 when it was consolidated into Pittsfield Unit #10. All high school students have attended Pittsfield High School since then. The grade school continued in the building until 1979 when those students also started attending school in Pittsfield.” We also received confirmation that Baylis High School once existed by reviewing a 1941 yearbook from New Canton High School submitted to us by B. Waters. According to this yearbook, New Canton HS defeated Baylis HS in boys basketball that season.
Sports and Extra-Curricular Activities We are seeking a lot of assistance here. Basketball was definitely offered at Baylis High School. It is probable that baseball and track were also offered to the boys of Baylis High School. We are searching for items such as the team nickname, school colors, fight song, coaches names, and season records of the teams that competed for Baylis High School. If you have ANY information regarding the school and the sports it may have competed in please contact us. BASKETBALL The following basketball scores involving Baylis High School boys basketball participating in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois High School Postseason Basketball Scores.” 1931-32 Pittsfield District Tournament Coach’s name $ record needed. 1st Rd. Beat Atlas 27-20 2nd Rd lost to Chambersburg 22-19 Pittsfield beat Pleasant Hill in title game. 1932-33 Pittsfield District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed. 1st Rd lost to New Canton 23-12 Hull beat Nebo in title game 1933-34 Pittsfield District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed. 1st Rd lost to Nebo 57-8 Pittsfield beat Kinderhook in title game. 1934-35 Pittsfield District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed. 1st Rd lost to Hull 47-3 Pittsfield beat Kinderhook in title game. 1935-36 Griggsville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed. 1st Rd lost to New Canton 43-18 Pleasant Hill beat Griggsville in title game 1936-37 Barry District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed. 1st Rd lost to Pearl 26-15 Hull beat Perry in title game 1937-38 through 1939-40 Postseason scores, season records, and coaches names needed. 1940-41 Nebo District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed. 1st Rd lost to Hull 29-14 Milton beat Hull in title game 1941-42 Postseason scores, season record, and coach’s name needed. 1942-43 Milton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed. 1st Rd lost to Nebo 38-18 Nebo beat Milton in title game. 1943-44 through 1945-46 Postseason scores, season records, and coaches names needed. 1946-47 Milton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed. 1st Rd lost to Kinderhook 45-20 Milton beat Pearl in title game. 1947-48 Nebo District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed. *1st Rd lost to Pearl 2-0 (forfeit) Alsey beat New Canton in title game *Possibly the last game on record for Baylis High School boys basketball. Seeking Further Information There is no record on the IHSA web site regarding the Baylis High School athletic teams. If you have information regarding athletics or any other information you wish to share regarding Baylis High School please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva Av. Chicago, Il. 60631
MEMORIES & PHOTOS The diploma viewed below was submitted by Suzanne Davidson Berger. Suzanne provided the following information regarding the diploma: “My father graduated in 1926 from Baylis High School. His name was Winfred Harold Davidson. At the time it was a three-year high school, even though his diploma does not reference that. His uncle, Dr. Walter Davidson of Kingston, wanted him to complete the fourth year; so my father attended Griggsville High School the following year. My father played basketball for Griggsville, but I do not know about his participation at Baylis.”
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