Breese Community High School “Cardinals”

Breese Community High School Building
A picture containing outdoor, sky, building, red

Description automatically generated
From the Historical Society of Breese, submitted by Dennis Downey
Breese Comunity HS Building
A picture containing text, outdoor, sky, building

Description automatically generated
From the Historical Society of Breese, submitted by Dennis Downey

The History of Breese Community High School

Breese (population 4,048) is located in far southwestern Illinois about 30 miles east of East St. Louis.  Breese is located in the west-central portion of Clinton County.  Old U.S. Route 50 passes through the center of town while the New U.S. Route 50 passes through the north side of Breese.  CSX Transportaion Railroad navigates its way through the south side of Breese.

The town is named after Sidney Breese, a senator under president Abraham Lincoln. The town of Breese was founded in 1855. To view a more in-depth history of the town and area please check out http://www.breese.org/History.htm.

The history of Breese Community High School is in need of research.  It is likely that Breese had a public school system that included high school curriculum by the late 1800s. The school likely annexed in several neighboring small country school districts throughout the years.

It was in the late 1960s however that serious talks began to take place between Breese Community High School and the Aviston High School District.  These talks became a reality when the districts agreed to merge.  The result was the creation of the Breese Central School District. The new District took on a new mascot and team colors for its sports teams, and also likely established a new school district.

Breese Central High School is located in Breese. The fate of the Breese Community High School building is being sought.

Breese Community High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                        late 1800s?

Year annexed Aviston HS:                     1970

New district name:                                Breese Central School District

Breese Community HS team nickname:  the “Cardinals”

Breese Community HS team colors:       Red & White

Breese Community HS fight song:          unavailable

Breese High School Gymnasium
A picture containing outdoor, sky, road, house

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From the Historical Society of Breese, submitted by Dennis Downey

Athletics

Breese Community High School competed in boys basketball.  It is probable that baseball, track, and football were also a part of the Breese Community HS athletic program.  Coach’s names, school fight song, team records, and individual accomplishments are all items we are interested in sharing on this page.

Boys Basketball

Breese Community High School won seven District titles before its merger with Aviston.  Unfortunately team records and coach’s names are not currently available.

The photo below is of the Breese HS basketball team of 1944.

1943-44     16 – 8                Coach L.P. Babcock

Breese HS Basketball Team 1943-44
A group of people posing for a photo

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From the Historical Society of Breese/Submitted by Dennis Downey(left click on photo larger view)

1947-48              District Champions
1948-49              District Champions
1949-50              District Champions
1951-52              District Champions
1956-57              District Champions
1960-61              District Champions
1962-63              District Champions

Extra-Curricular Activities 

We are certain that many activities were offered at Breese Community High School.  If you have memories or information you wish to share regarding these activites, please do not hesitate to share them with us.

More Information Needed

We are looking to fill in the question marks regarding the team records, coaches names, and other great accomplishments at Breese Community High School.  We especially seek photos of the high school building and great teams.  If you have any information you would like to share regarding Breese Community High School please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form.  You may also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

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