East Lynn High School “Hornets”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
East Lynn High School – Gymnasium on Right
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Courtesy of Doc Whiteman
East Lynn School Cement Inscription
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“EAST LYNN DISTRICT & TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOLS — 1915”
East Lynn School Building 1882
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Courtesy of Doc Whiteman

The History of East Lynn High School

East Lynn (population approximately 100) is located in far eastern Illinois in northwestern Vermillion County.  Places of note near East Lynn include Danville (20 miles to the south), Bloomington (60 miles to the west) and Indiana (14 miles to the east).  Illinois Route 9 is the main roadway through East Lynn.  The Fountain Creek flows north of town and splits with branches running to the east and west of town.  The Norfolk & Western Rairoad runs beside Route 9 as well.

A nice history of the establishment of the town of East Lynn is as follows:

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The following history of East Lynn High School was supplied to us by Doc Whiteman and was written by Bessie Martin:

East Lynn HS Built in 1915
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“East Lynn’s first school house stood one-half mile north of the present site, but growing population soon demanded larger facilities, so a two-story building was built on the present site in 1882.  On February 22, 1914, a special election was held to decide if East Lynn should have a high school district.  As the election carried, it was decided on on April 11, 1914, to build a large building.  In 1915, the present building was built on the original location of the 1882 building.  The first graduating class was Lawrence Anderson, Edith Luxton McConnell and Esther Erickson.  The first term in the new building saw an enrollment of 23 high school pupils.

Many changes have been made during these intervening years.  In 1925 a new gymnasium was built and was didicated November 6, 1925, with a basketball game against Rankin.  East Lynn won the game 19 – 8.  History does seem to repeat itself as the final high school game played at the gym on February 16, 1973, was also against Rankin, and this time the schore was 88 to 36.  In 1935, a farm shop and farm mechanics building with attached bus garage was built.  This building was replaced in 1961 with the present Industrial Arts building and bus garage.  In 1951, the cafeteria was built in the west end of the gym.  Because of consolidating with various country schools into one unit, it was necessary to build a new grade school, which was completed in 1956.  In 1935 the new transportation system was started when the busses were used for the first time.  Before this time the students had walked, ridden bikes, rode horses or drove carriages. When a horse was driven to school they were left in neighboring barns during the school day. During the winter months it was not uncommon for country students to live with townspeople.

East Lynn High School Campus
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On June 1, 1973, East Lynn High School closes its doors forever and in the future of all students will be bussed to Hoopeston.  East Lynn and Hoopeston consolidated December 9, 1972, and the new unit goes into effect July 1, 1973.  Thus an era comes to a dramatic close. For the first time in many, many yearsthere will be no high school in the village of East Lynn.  Unfortunately, progress and romanticism do not often agree!“

Consolidation with nearby Hoopeston was kicked around in the 1930s, however this effort never materialized. As stated above, in 1973 these talks became a reality when the folks of East Lynn joined forces with nearby Hoopeston to create the Hoopeston-East Lynn School District.

All schools were located in Hoopeston, though East Lynn supported a grade school for one year after the consolidation. The 1915 high school building in East Lynn has been razed.  The grade school and former gymnasium now serve as part of a welding facility owned by Rex Geene, a graduate of East Lynn High School..

The East Lynn High School alumni number about 600.  East Lynn’s largest graduating class numbered 19 students.  Most classes, however numbered in the 10 – 12 students range.

East Lynn High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                   late 1800s

Year closed:                    1973

Consolidated to:               Hoopeston-East Lynn High School

East Lynn nickname:        the “Hornets”

School colors:                  Kelly Green & White

School Fight Song:           “On East Lynn”

                                        Written by Marguerite Boehme

                                        East Lynn High School,

                                        East Lynn High School,

                                        We’ll stand up for you (all stand),

                                        Green and White

                                        We’ll fight, fight, fight,

                                        To our colors we are true. 

                                      

                                        Rah Rah Rah!

                                        Stand and cheer, boys,

                                        Never fear, boys,

                                        East Lynn is our pride,

                                        Cheer, cheer,

                                        The gang’s all here

                                        For East Lynn High!
East Lynn High School Gym Building – 2012

Athletics

The East Lynn Hornets had an excellent sports program.  Boys basketball was the feature sport of the school.  The big rival of the Hornets was their future partner, Hoopeston. East Lynn won several District titles (seven) in basketball and probably competed in track & field and baseball as well.  School colors, fight song, and conference affiliation are all being sought.  Girls sports were probably never offered at the school in a competitive manner.

East Lynn High School Center Circle – 2012
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Boys Basketball

The East Lynn High School hardwood court program was stellar. District titles were won in four different decades.  The golden era appears to have been in the early 1950s when the East Lynn boys won four titles in five years!  Some scores from the IHSA Tournament involving East Lynn High School were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are listed below. Unfortunately the team records and coach’s names of these and other great ELHS teams are not available.

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1919-20                Urbana District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Potomac 17-14

2nd Rd lost to Watseka 28-16

Champaign beat Danville in title game.

—–

1920-21                Urbana District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Wellington 33-19

2nd Rd lost to Oakwood 28-17

Champaign beat Urbana in title game.

—–

1921-22                Watseka District Runner-Up               Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Roberts 30-22

2nd Rd Beat Alvin 24-15

Semi-Final Beat Rankin 24-17

Title game lost to Watseka 39-13 (Watseka had beaten Danville in other semi-final.)

—–

1922-23  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1923-24  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1924-25               Danville District Champions              Coach Orville Roll

Vermillion County Tournament Champions

Danville District Scores

1st Rd Beat Wellington 23-14

2nd Rd Beat Potomac 22-12

Title Game Beat Danville 20-11

Peoria Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Peoria Central 26-16

Peoria Central lost to Canton in title game

—–

1925-26  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1926-27  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1927-28  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1928-29  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1929-30  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

—–

1930-31               Hoopeston Regional Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Potomac 18-17

Armstrong beat Hoopeston in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 30-12

2nd Rd lost to Wellington 16-14

Armstrong beat Alvin in title game

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1932-33               Hoopeston District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Hoopeston 36-21

Potomac beat Armstrong in title game

—–

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

1st Rd Beat Stockland 22-17

2nd Rd Score Needed

Semi-final lost to Potomac 46-16

Potomac beat Watseka in title game

—–

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

1st Rd Beat Woodland 49-4

2nd Rd lost to Milord 36-9

Milford beat Potomac in title game

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1935-36               Milford District Champions               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Stockland 35-23

Semi-final Rossville 35-22

Title Game Beat Cissna Park 33-28

IHSA Regional Qualifier

Regional Scores Needed

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1936-37               Hoopeston Regional Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Milford 23-16

Milford lost to Cissna Park in title game

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1937-38               East Lynn District Runner-Up            Coach’s name & record needed

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Stockland 38-34

—–

1938-39               Hoopeston Regional Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Rossville 27-21

Rossville lost to Armstrong in semi-final

Armstrong lost to Cissna Park in title game

  —–    

1939-40  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

—–

1940-41               Cissna Park District Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Alvin 32-17

2nd Rd lost to Potomac 51-36

Potomac beat Cissna Park in title game

—–

1941-42  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1942-43               Potomac District Champions           Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-Final Beat Wellington 36-31

Title Game Beat Potomac 50-39

Watseka Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Milford 53-44

Semi-Final Beat Watseka 46-45

Title Game lost to Cissna Park 42-25

—–

1943-44               Stockland District Runner-Up             Coach’s name & record needed

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Potomac 59-37

—–

1944-45              Wellington District Runner-Up        Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-Final Rd Beat Potomac 40-22

Title Game lost to Wellington 45-41

—–

1945-46               Potomac District Runner-Up             Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-Final Beat Alvin 26-24

Title Game lost to Rankin 35-29

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1946-47  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Potomac 36-33

Stockland beat Sheldon in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Wellington 41-30

Semi-final lost to Potomac 43-42

Potomac beat Sheldon in title game

—–

1949-50               Potomac District Champions              Coach’s name & record needed

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game Beat Potomac 48-45

Milford Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 53-42

Semi-final lost to Armstrong 46-35

Armstrong beat Rossville in title game

—–

1950-51               Wellington District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Score Needed

Semi-final lost to Rankin 49-42

Rankin beat Sheldon in title game

  —–           

1951-52               Wellington District Champions          Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Crescent City

Semi-final Beat Sheldon 75-63

Title Game Beat Rankin 34-32

Hoopeston Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Rossville 66-44

Semi-final Beat Watseka 59-49

Title Game lost to Armstrong 48-44

  —–        

1952-53               IHSA District Champions                   Coach’s name & record needed

District Scores Needed

Watseka Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Cissna Park 67-50

Cissna Park beat Watseka in title game

   —–  

1953-54   27 – 4   Rankin District Champions                Coach Loyd Champion

Fairbury Tournament Champs

Beat Peoria Limestone 81-71

East Lynn HS had 39 students

Limestone had 1,600 students

Rankin District Tournament

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game Beat Potomac 49-48

Hoopeston Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 68-58

Semi-Final lost to Hoopeston 56-50

Hoopeston beat Watseka in title game

East Lynn Hornets of 1953-54
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Walt (Junior) Johnson, Bill Hill, Don Pierce, Wayne Hammerton, Ray Baldwin and Coach Loyd Champion

**From Walter C. Johnson (Class of 1954):

“Our basketball team in 1954 ended with a 27 win-4 loss record. Probably the most notable victory was winning the Fairbury tournament over Peoria Limestone. It was publicized that we had 39 students and Peoria Limestone had 1600. We had 17 boys in high school – don’t know how many at PL – David and Goliath. We won 81-71… and at that time held the tournament record for most points scored. Our team consisted of me, Wayne Hammerton, Bill Hill, Ray Baldwin and Don Pierce. Ray made 12 of 14 free throw attempts, Wayne had 25 points and Bill 23. I led the rebounding since I was that white guy who could jump. The East Lynn trophies were given away by Hoopeston when the consolidation took place. Tom Swing was able to get me the Championship trophy from this game. No. 22 on your scorecard, No. 1 in your heart. Great memories.”

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1954-55                    Potomac District Runner-Up            Coach’s name & record needed.

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Potomac 99-58

—–

1955-56                   Rankin District Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Potomac 44-24

Potomac beat Rankin in title game

—–

1956-57                 Sheldon District Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Potomac 74-53

Rankin beat Sheldon in title game

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1957-58                  Rankin District Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Potomac 53-51

Wellington beat Sheldon in title game

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1958-59                   Sheldon District Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Potomac 57-54

Potomac lost to Wellington in semi-final

Wellington beat Stockland in title game

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1959-60                   Potomac District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Sheldon 88-42

Sheldon beat Potomac for title

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1960-61                   Sheldon District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Rankin 72-39

Sheldon beat Rankin for title

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1961-62                    Rankin District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Armstrong 31-19

Semi-final lost to Potomac 60-59

Potomac beat Crescent City in title game

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1962-63                    Potomac District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Henning 65-50

Semi-final lost to Sheldon 60-56

Sheldon lost to Potomac in title game

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1963-64  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

—–

1964-65                     Rankin District Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Wellington 76-60

Sheldon beat Wellington in title game

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1965-66                    Sheldon District Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Sheldon 62-54

Sheldon lost Armstrong in title game

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1966-67                    Rankin District Runner-Up              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Sheldon 80-70

Semi-Final Beat Wellington 73-65

Title Game lost to Armstrong 52-50

—–

1967-68                    Armstrong District Tournament        Coach Van Peters

Vermilion County Tourney Champs 

Armstrong District Scores

1st Rd Beat Potomac 78-77

Semi-final lost to Armstrong 74-73

Armstrong beat Sheldon in title game

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1968-69                    Armstrong District Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Sheldon (score needed)

Sheldon lost to Potomac in semi-final

Potomac beat Crescent-Iroquois in title game

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1969-70                    Sheldon District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Rankin 43-38

Semi-final lost to Cissna Park 53-41

Cissna Park lost to Sheldon in title game

—–

1970-71                    Armstrong District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Armstrong 68-49

Armstrong lost to Cissna Park in semi-final

Cissna Park beat Sheldon for title

—–

1971-72                    Bismarck Class ‘A’ Regional             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Armstrong 62-39

Semi-final lost to Danville Schlarman 80-37

Schlarman beat Potomac in title game

—–

1972-73                     Rossville Class ‘A’ Regional             Coach’s name & record needed.

**1st Rd lost to Bismarck-Henning 74-55

Danville Schlarman beat Hoopeston in title game

**Final boys varsity basketball game for East Lynn High School “Hornets.” Consolidated with Hoopeston in the summer of 1973.

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Memories

**From Mr. Dick Drake:

“I enjoyed reading about the good old days at East Lynn High. I taught there in 1967-1969. I’d like to hear from anyone who remembers those days. I’d especially like to reach Van Peters if anyone knows how. He taught there too. I now reside in Robinson, Illinois where I finished 35 years of teaching.

email janedrake62454@yahoo.com or telephone at 618-546-5299.”

**From Class of 1965 graduate Sherry Williams Johnson:

“We had a good time at East Lynn High School and were well educated.  We were prepared to go on to college or join the work force.  I was raised in the days before women’s liberation but in East Lynn the girls were never told that they couldn’t do something because they were a girl!  Nearly everyone participated in one way or another in everything going on.  We were definitely a team.  Most of our high school friendships are still going strong.  Even if it has been years between seeing each other we pick up where we left off.  E-mail has really helped with communication.

East Lynn Alumni hold an Alumni Banquet every year at the Legion in Hoopeston.  We have supper and visit and honor 60, 50, 40, year classes.  We no longer have a 25 year class.  Our numbers get smaller every year as our graduated die and we are not getting any new members.  We still enjoy visiting with each other.  Since I live in East Lynn (about 100 people)  I know most of the alumni.”

**From Kenneth Moore, East Lynn HS student of 1940 – 42:

“I reflect back frequently about some of the many things I learned in school at East Lynn and agree with your statement that we were well educated there.  I was not in a position to continue on to college following my service in the Navy but I quite often encounter spelling, grammar, and other errors by better educated folks that wouldn’t have been tolerated at East Lynn.  My family was among the very poorest there during those depression years which I remember vividly but my memories of the town and school are more positive than negative.  I am curious to know if you have information about any of the alumni who were in my class.  In fact, I can provide you with a list of all the students in 1941, including my freshman class members.  At the time of the reunion in 1969, only one of the 15 had died but I have learned of the death of some of them since then.  I had actually moved to Hoopeston for the second half of my junior year and first semester of my senior year (1943).  I then moved again to Dwight (IL) Township High School for my last semester in the spring of 1944 and reported to the US Navy shortly thereafter.  However, at the 1969 reunion, the class of 1944 treated me as if I had graduated with them (probably in desperation to enlarge their class!)

The article I found on line indicates that the school opened in the late 1800s and The Eastyn shows that the “new” building was completed in 1915.  It was two-story and included the grade school on the ground floor and the high school on the second floor.  The gymnasium was added in 1925, and a shop and mechanics building with a three bus garage was erected across the street south of the main building in 1939.  The first term (1915-1916) had an enrollment of 23 students.  In 1941, the enrollment was 68 students, including 15 seniors.  The curriculum included 32 courses as well as music and sports (basketball and baseball).  The faculty included Alwin VonBehren who was principal and coach, and six other teachers.  I’m amazed even now that they were able to teach 68 students that many courses.  The school song was written by Marguerite Boehme (I believe) and was sung to the tune of “On Wisconsin”, and was something like, “East Lynn High School, East Lynn High School, we’ll stand up for you (all stand), green and white we’ll fight, fight, fight, to our colors we are true.  Stand and cheer, boys, never fear, boys, East Lynn is our pride, cheer, cheer, the gang’s all here for East Lynn High.”

Notable Roundball Athlete

Wayne Denman – Helped lead the Hornets on the court during the late 1930s and early 1940s, eventually garnering All-State honorable mention honors in 1940-41.

Seeking More Information

If you wish to add ANY information regarding East Lynn and its educational successes (and/or a photo of the high school building) please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

East Lynn Grade School Addition – 2012
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East Lynn Grade School Addition Plaque – 2012
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East Lynn HS Gymnasium Building – 2012
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