Cambria High School “Blackhawks”

Cambria High School Building 1940

Submitted by Pamela Dietrich

Cambria HS Bldg 2013 – Now Community Center

A building with a car parked in front of it

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Submitted by James Horaz

The History of Cambria High School

Cambria (population 1,330) is located in far south central Illinois. The town sits in Blairsville Township on Illinois Route 184 about 2 miles north of Illinois Route 13. Cambria is located about 5 miles northeast of Carbondale. According to the web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/williamson/mainblairsville.htm:

“Cambria was established as a mining town in Blairsville Township. In 1895 a railroad station was opened as “Lauder”. The post office was established in 1905 under the name of “Reeves”. In 1911 the town changed its name to Cambria which is the Latin name for Wales.”

Cambria High School Front Entrance 2013

A building with a red roof

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Courtesy of James Horaz

We were told of a high school being supported in Cambria by R.D. (Sam) Vancil. Sam provided the following comments regarding the former Cambria High School:

“This was a two-year High School. When it closed the students had a choice of going to; Carterville, Hurst (now closed), or Herrin. The former school building now houses the town’s city offices including the water department.

The people I remember included the Superintendent, Elmer Finley and teacher, Mrs. Smith.”

The following memories and information were provided by John Vaughn:

“My dad was Noble Vaughn of Cambria, Il. He was on the school board and was responsable along with some others for building the school after it was set on fire. They put on variety shows and held ham and bean dinners. They also staged a play called “On the Trail of the Lonesome Pine.” This raised the money to rebuild the school, the building that is there now as a community center. The team was the Cambria “Blackhawks” until about 1972 and then they were known for a bit as the “Cubs.” I was a scorekeeper for many years. I have pics of the ball team 1928 (see below). My dad was on the team.”

Cambria High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1920s?

Year closed: 1947

Consolidated to: Carterville High School

Cambria HS team nickname: “Blackhawks”

Cambria HS team colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

We know that the Cambria High School boys competed in basketball. A yearbook photo of the basketball team of 1940 is provided below by Pamela Dietrich. We believe that baseball and track may have also been offered. The Cambria Grade School closed in 1998. CHS team colors, fight song, coach’s names, and records are needed to share on this site.

Basketball

Cambria High School competed in basketball for certain. The Blackhawks had some great success stories over the years too. This included a 30 – 6 record in 1928-29 and an 11 – 3 record in the 1939-40 season.

1928-29 30 – 6 District Scores Needed Coach J.T. Bryant

1929-30 Coach’s name & record needed.

1930-31 Coach’s name & record needed.

1931-32 Herrin District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Vergennes 23-15

2nd Rd lost to Gorham 25-14

Johnson City beat Herrin in title game

1932-33 Coach’s name & record needed.

1933-34 Johnson City District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Hurst-Bush 45-19

Herrin beat Marion in title game.

1934-35 Herrin District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Johnson City 79-6

Johnson City beat Marion in title game.

1935-36 Steeleville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Campbell Hill 46-24

2nd Rd lost to Wolf Lake 34-27

Wolf Lake Beat Gorham in title game

1936-37 Cutler District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Cutler 39-20

Campbell Hill beat Cutler in title game

1937-38 Elkville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Elkville 44-21

1938-39 Coach’s name & record needed.

1939-40 11 – 3 District Scores Needed. Coach’s name needed

1940-41 Vergennes District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Vergennes 33-24

Alto Pass beat Vergennes in title game.

1941-42 Coach’s name & record needed.

1942-43 Hurst District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Vergennes 33-24

Alto Pass beat Vergennes in title game.

1943-44 Coach’s name & record needed.

1944-45 Crab Orchard District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Royalton

Crab Orchard beat Creal Springs in title game.

1945-46 Coach’s name & record needed.

1946-47 Coach’s name & record needed.

Cambria High School Basketball Team 1939-40

A group of men posing for a photo

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Submitted by Pamela Dietrich

When “blown-up” it appears that the basketball in the photo reads “38-39-40” which would be the years the kids on the photo played for Cambria High School. There are also a total of four trophies situated in front of the group. If you have any further information regarding this team please let us know!

Herrin District Tourney 1929 – Cambria 30-6!

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Submitted by Pamela Dietrich (left click on photo for larger version)

Herrin District Basketball Tourney 1929

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Submitted by Pamela Dietrich (left click on photo for larger version)

Cambria HS Basketball Article 1929

Submitted by Pamela Dietrich

Cambria HS 1929 Basketball Article

Submitted by Pamela Dietrich

Cambria HS Basketball Summary 1940

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Submitted by Pamela Dietrich (left click on photo for larger version)

Cambria HS Basketball Schedule 1940

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Submitted by Pamela Dietrich (left click on photo for larger version)

Baseball

The Cambria boys participated in baseball as well. The photo below was submitted by John Vaughn and Pamela Dietrich.

Standing, L to R: Leo Smith, Jacob Reichert, Karl Bush, Dale Charles, Harry Brayfield, Raymond Pollard, Royce Lovelace, Coach J.T. Bryant

Seated, L to R: J.W. Reed, Carl Hagler, Adrian Howell, Wayne Vaughn, Ardell Grimes, Noble Vaughn, Rex Gray, Woodrow McCormick

Cambria HS Baseball Team 1928-29

Submitted by John Vaughn & Pamela Dietrich

Extra-Curricular Activities

As we like to say on all of our pages, athletics was probably just one part of the great experience of attending Cambria High School. Was there a band, chorus, clubs, dances, and other activities offered at Cambria High? Please let us know so we can share your information on this page.

We Are Seeking Your In-Put

Please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net if you can offer any further insight or information on the history and accomplishments attained at Cambria High School. Items can be mailed to us at:

IIlinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Cambria Grade School Playground Equipment