Compton High School “Comets”

Compton School Building 1920s
A picture containing text, tree, old

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Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen

The History of Compton High School

Compton (population 347) is located in north-central Illinois about 15 miles south of Rochelle. Compton sits quietly in the southeast corner of Lee County on the east side of Illinois Route 251.

According to the website address of http://www.leecountyhistory.com/lee_county/compton.htm, Compton is named after a gentleman named Joel Compton who owned the farm land that the village was platted on in the late 1860’s. Compton was farmland until the Kenyon Railroad laid tracks through the area. The town of Melugin’s Grove was located about one mile north of the tracks. As the tracks were laid and a depot built, the folks of Melugin’s Grove (still listed on the MapQuest website as “The Burg”) migrated to the depot as the town was named after the land owner whose land it was platted on, Joel Compton.

Compton was officially incorporated in 1875. A school house and several businesses were already in place. We believe that Compton residents had a school program with high school curriculum in place by the late 1800’s.

High school education in Compton was established in 1929 with a 2-year curriculum. The third year of studies were added at a later date. Compton High School was never more than a three-year high school, and was officially closed in 1949, sending its students to Mendota (10 miles south). Prior to the annexation, students had a choice between Lee Center, Paw Paw, and Mendota as to where they could go to complete their fourth year of high school education. The building has been since razed.

Compton High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                           1929

Year closed:                            1949

Consolidated to:                       Mendota School District

Compton HS team nickname:   “Comets”

Compton HS team colors:         Blue & White (Grade School Green & White)

School Fight Song:                   unavailable

Athletics & Extra-Curricular Activities

We know that Compton High School offered sports and other extra-curricular activities during its tenure. We did locate a photo of a Compton baseball team and are confident the sport was offered to the boys of the school. Basketball was offered and possibly track.

The school was a member of the Green River Valley Conference with Rollo, Paw Paw, KingsStewardLeeFranklin Grove, and Lee Center. If you have any information about Compton High School, please send us a message via the options below.

Boys Basketball

The Compton High School boys competed in the annual IHSA State Tournament in boys basketball. We were able to locate some of the scores from the tournament on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” Not all scores are available so the ones that were located are reprinted below. We are searching for season records and coach’s names for each Compton HS season.

1933-34               DeKalb District Tournament                      Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd. – Lost to Steward 39-14

Steward lost in 2nd Rd.

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

1st Rd. – Lost to Harmon 26-24

Harmon lost in 2nd Rd.

1935-36 through 1943-44 Postseason scores, record, & coach’s names needed.

1944-45               Franklin Grove District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd. – Lost to Steward 55-23

Steward won District Tourney

1945-46               Franklin Grove District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd. – Lost to Harmon 60-37

Harmon lost in semi-final round.

1946-47               Franklin Grove District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd. – Lost to West Brooklyn 50-23

West Brooklyn lost in semi-final round

1947-48               Franklin Grove District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd. – Lost to Lee Center 69-24

Lee Center won District title.

1948-49               Franklin Grove District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

**1st Rd. – Lost to Steward 60-43

Steward won District Tourney

**Last game ever played for Compton High School.

            

Boys Baseball

We know the boys played baseball.  Research conducted by Linda Hess reveals that Compton tied Plano High School in a game in 1912, score 3 – 3.

Compton Baseball Team of 1904
A group of baseball players posing for a photo

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Looking for More Information

We are hopeful an area enthusiast can “fill in the blanks” regarding the Compton High School successes and history. We are always in need of photos of the old school building and great teams. If you wish to help us out, please complete a School Submission Form or 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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