The History of Fairview High School Fairview (population 493) is located in upper-western Illinois in northeastern Fulton County. This places Fairview about 30 miles east of Peoria and about 30 miles northeast of Macomb. Illinois Route 97 is the main roadway in and out of Fairview. County Highway 17 crosses Route 97 in town as well. The Little Coal Creek flows through the northwest side of Fairview. The town was platted in 1837.
A school was established in Fairview in 1839. A school named the Fairview Academy was established in 1863. High school curriculum for the Fairview students was in place by 1897. In 1899 it was decided to build a new school building in town which was completed in 1900. Fairview High’s first graduating class was the class of 1900. This was from a three-year high school however. In 1908 Fairview High began offering a four-year high school education. Fairview High School served the town on a solo basis through the late 1940s. It was then that consolidation talks between the neighboring towns of London Mills, Maquon, Fairview and Ellisville took place. After the completion of the 1948 school year these talks became a reality with the creation of the Spoon River School District. A more complete history of the former Fairview High School was provided to us by Ralph Swise: “This is an article from the first year book from the Fair-View school in 1925.” “A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OF PROGRESS” “The Fairview High School was organized as a three year school in 1899 thru the efforts of Mr. E. H. Murphy and the county superintendent. The first class of four graduated in 1900. In 1908 it was changed to a four year school, the subjects being alternated so that one teacher was all that was required. When the enrollment reached 33 in in 1917 another teacher was added to the force and the school received probationary recognition with the State Department. In 1919, the third teacher was added and all sixteen subjects were given each year, which marked a decided advance over the alternate system. In the spring of 1920 Principal Wm. C. Wilson obtained statistics concerning the fall enrollment and learned that it would be impossible, without alteration of the building then occupied, to care for the pupils. He presented the matter of the organization of a Community High School District to the directors, A.C. Wilson,C. S. Voorees and J.C. McCombs, who immediately started to work. Everyone rallied to the program for a better school and in a special election Dr. W. L. Crouch, Jermone Lawson, Guy Alcot, Chas. Otto, and Marion Hart were made members of the Board of Education. In the fall of that year 12.8 acres of land was purchased from Mr. Wm. Polhemus. Progress was being made at the old building, for at that time the State gave us Regular Recognition as a four year High School, which meant that our work was equal to that of other Schools in the State. The Registration of students in the fall of ’21 showed such an increase in numbers that four teachers were hired. This fall also marked the beginning of the construction of the new building. The Directors served the people faithfully, arranging for the erection of our modern building, and during the erection, gave many days of labor and much time in overseeing the work. They deserve much credit for our having such a well constructed building. They kept the confidence of a UNITED COMMUNITY in the spending of the $100,000.00 which was so loyally voted, and placed at their disposal. On February 22, 1922 we were recognized by the University of Illinois, which meant that our work would be accepted at face value in our University or in any college. During that spring, Mr. Hart was succeeded by Mr. Will Cattron, who still serves with the other original members of the Board. Five teachers greeted nearly one hundred pupils in the new home on the opening day in September 1922. That was a glorious day for Fairview. Our goal then became the being recognized by the highest accrediting body supervising the work of High Schools. The North Central Association of Colleges and High Schools. Blanks containing questions concerning the school work, community spirit, equipment and community were filled and sent before this body of men representing nineteen states. On March 28th, 1925 we received official notification, and congratulations from H.A. Hollister, the chairman of the state committee, and on the next day futher congratulations came from the Treasurer of the Association, “On maintaining Educational Standards which will admit you to this select list of schools.” Now that our school has attained the highest possible recognition, parents, pupils and teachers must continue to co-operate to keep it on this high level.”
The Fairview High School building served as the Spoon River Valley High School building for several years. A new school building was completed at Routes 97 and 116 near London Mills in 1973, rendering the Fairview school building without a scholastic use. The Fairview school building has been razed. . Fairview High School Quick Facts Year HS established: 1897 Year brick building built: 1900 Year Fairview HS consolidated: 1948 Consolidated to: Spoon River Valley School District School building fate: razed after replacement in 1973 Fairview HS team nickname: the “Foxes” Fairview HS team cololrs: Orange & Black School Fight Song: Fairview High! Loyal forever, Faithful and true we will be; This is our pledge to thee, Fairview High! We love thy stately halls, Honor within thy walls, Proud that we learned of thee, Dear Valley High! On we shall ever go To heights-we do not know, But nobler we shall grow, Fairview High! When years have rolled away, Memories will live for aye, Where wisdom guided us, In Fairview High! |
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Remove the word “Valley” from Fairview Valley HS. The word Valley was only used AFTER consolidation.