The History of Bensenville Community High School Bensenville (population 20,700) is located in the far northeastern portion of Illinois in the northeastern portion of DuPage County. Bensenville is bordered by the famous O’Hare International Airport to the northeast side. Illinois Route 83 passes through the heart of town from north to south. Irving Park Road is the main roadway from east to west. The Soo Line Railroad also passes through Bensenville. A nice history of the city of Bensenville can be found at the web address of http://www.dupagehistory.org/dupage_roots/Bensenville_2.html . The early 1800s found the area in which Bensenville is located to be full of Indians (Native Americans). Settlers started to move into the area in the mid 1800s. The railroad boom in the United States brought a rail line directly through the area. Enough settlers and businesses were established that in 1884 Bensenville (named after a town in Germany called Bensen) was incorporated. Bensenville’s close proximity to Chicago and O’Hare Airport has allowed for a dramatic increase in the population. In 1940 the population was 1,200, today it is well over 20,000. A nice history of the high school in Bensenville can be found at the web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenton_High_School_(Illinois) . In summary, Bensenville High School was established as a two-year high school from 1917 – 1924. In 1925 Bensenville Community High School District 100 was establihsed as a four-year high school for the students of Wood Dale and Bensenville. Bensenville Community High School served in this capacity until a new building was built in 1955. The following Chicago Tribune Newspaper articles were found by our good friend Dave Sanders: Aug. 31, 1941 – At Bensenville High school, the enrollment will probably not pass last year’s mark of 350. Aug. 26, 1951 – Bensenville Community High school’s enrollment will he 450, W. A. Johnson, principal, estimated. Sept 6, 1953 – Bensenville High School expects its largest enrollment when 510 are registered this coming school year. The school was constructed with a 350 student capacity, but last year 472 students were enrolled. The need for a new building became quite apparent as the enrollment rapidly increased. The new building was constructed and then named Fenton Community High School in honor of the school’s first superinntendent, Frederick Fenton. The original Bensenville High School building was utilized as Blackhawk Junior High School through the Spring of 2013. The building was then razed to make room for a more modern building to be constructed.
Bensenville Community High School Quick Facts Year opened as 2-Year HS: 1917 Served as 2 & 3-year HS: 1917 – 1924 Year HS District established: 1924 Year became Fenton HS: 1955 Bensenville HS team nickname: “Bison” Bensenville HS team colors: Orange & Black Bensenville HS fight song: “BCHS, We Are All For You” Lyrics provided by C. Diane Bishop Sung to the tune of “On Wisconsin” BCHS, BCHS, We are all for you! Fight for victory, fight for victory, Oh you orange and blue, RAH! RAH! RAH!
BCHS, BCHS, We will win this game! And we’ll go marching on Our way to fame! |
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