Chicago Hibbard High School

Posted on by kpericht in Uncategorized
The History of Hibbard High School, Chicago

Chicago (population 2.7 million) is in northeastern Illinois in eastern Cook County. Lake Michigan, along with the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers being the main waterways in the city. Interstates 55, 57, 90, & 94 will all lead you to the “Windy City,” as will numerous state and US highways. From what started as a small village in the early 1800’s along the banks of Lake Michigan, Chicago has grown to the nation’s third largest city and one of the most famous places in the world, as the result of an ethnically diverse community that adopted the city.

William Gold Hibbard High School was named after an area philanthropists and noted as one of the pioneers of business of his time. The school began in 1916 and served high school aged students at 3244 W. Ainslie for 12 years. More information about the school can be found at the school’s web page at: http://www.hibbard.cps.k12.il.us/schoolhistory.html.

In 1927, a new high school named after the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was completed and students from Hibbard were sent there for their remaining school years. The school is still in use as an elementary school.
Chicago Hibbard High School “Quick Facts”:

Year school organized:                      1916

Year high school program ceased:    1927

Building Status:                                 Still in use as elementary school

School Colors:                                   Purple and White?

School Mascot:                                  Unknown

School Song:                                     Unknown
Chicago Hibbard Baseball – Frank Buskens
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Submitted by Gary Marsh

ATHLETICS

We know that the Hibbard High School kids participated in athletics.  To the left is a photo of Hibbard great Frank Buskens.  Frank was a standout basketball and baseball player for Hibbard.  Frank was named as the captain of the all-city second team lightweight basketball squad his senior year.  This was no easy feat as at that time only 5 players were chosen for the first team and 5 for the second team. Thank you to Gary Marsh for providing this information to us.

Noteable Alumni

Nelson Algren (Class of 1927) – American crime writer who wrote several novels on dark subjects, noteably his 1950 book, The Man With The Golden Arm. Read more about Algren at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Algren

Need Your Information

The William G. Hibbard High School may have offered sports and other extra-curriculars, but that is not known at this time. We are hopeful an area “buff” will fill in the open areas regarding the history and accomplishments of the Hibbard school.  If you have any information you can offer including our unknown “Quick Facts” information, please drop us an E-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net – or – you can write to us at:

Illinois High School Glory Days
6439 N. Neva
Chicago, IL  60631

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