| Athletics
The Chestnut High School Wildcats probably competed in baseball, basketball, and track. Unfortunately, there is no record of Chestnut athletics on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). We are confident there were many good teams and athletes in CHS’ storied past. It is also known that Chestnut competed in the Tri-High Conference during the early-1940’s with Congerville, Emden, and Shirley Ben Funk. If you have ANY information on the athletic and other extra-curricular activities which took place at Chestnut High, please contact us via the means listed below.
Boys Basketball
Some basketball scores involving Chestnut High School in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores and the location of the tournament are listed below. Season records and coaches’ names of these and other Chestnut High School teams are needed.
1933-34 Lincoln District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to New Holland 49-15
New Holland lost in 2nd Rd to Mt Pulaski
Mt. Pulaski beat Lincoln in title game
1934-35 Lincoln District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Latham 29-22
2nd Rd lost to Lincoln 27-12
Lincoln lost to Hartsburg in semi-final
Hartsburg lost to Mt. Pulaski in title game
1935-36 New Holland District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to New Holland 41-25
1936-37 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1938-39 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1939-40 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1940-41 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1941-42 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1942-43 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1944-45 New Holland District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to New Holland 31-25
New Holland beat McLean in title game
*No other scores located for Chestnut High School.
Memories
From former student of Chestnut schools, Darren McCormick:
“I grew up in the community and attended Chestnut Grade school through 8th grade (1974). The school remained open for a few years after I graduated—but for how many I’m not sure. I don’t know if you’ve tried this avenue or not—but you might consider putting an appeal in the Mount Pulaski newspaper for more information on the old Chestnut High School. [The Lincoln Courier would be a good appeal source for both Chestnut and Beason High School information.] Jeff Clements, who is mentioned on your Beason High School website, was in my graduating class. He, like several other students who attended Chestnut Grade School, ended up at Beason High School. I, and the majority of my class, attended Mt. Pulaski High School.
I’m guessing that the school song didn’t change. I’ve got family who were cheerleaders who might be able to get you the words to the school fight song if you’d like for me to try and dig those up. If memory serves me right Jeff Clements’ Dad and Mike Lowe’s Dad were standout athletes in High School in Chestnut.”
Need More Information
The folks who worked to make Chestnut High School a reality and a success should not be forgotten. There are many missing items that should be shared and remembered forever. A photo of the original high school building is especially being sought. If you have this information, please e-mail it to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631 |
I was in the last graduating class of Chestnut in 1980.