Gilson – Hawcreek Township H. S. “Trojans” – Illinois High School Glory Days

Gilson High School – 1924

A.K.A. — Haw Creek Township High School

Interior Look of Gilson School Classroom

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The History of Gilson High School

Gilson (population approximately 190) is located in upper-western Illinois about 10 miles southeast of Galesburg. The town was platted in Haw Creek Township in the lower-central portion of Knox County in 1857. Knox County Highway 12 is the main road to Gilson. County Highway 12 connects Gilson to Illinois Route 97 just west of Gilson. The At & St Railroad travels through Gilson as well. Branches of the Little Haw Creek flow by the north and east sides of town. It is believed that Gilson is named after an English and French word of “Gill.” Gilson literally means son of Gill. Perhaps one of the first settlers were named Gilson or had a strong connection to someone named Gilson. Haw Creek Township was established in 1853. The banks of the creek running through the area were lined with hawthorne trees. The creek was named Haw Creek by early settlers. The township was named after this important waterway.

An interesting history of Haw Creek Township and the town of Gilson, written in 1870, is available at http://www.iltrails.org/knox/Township_Histories/Haw_Creek_Twp_history.html. In this history it is stated that by 1870 Gilson had developed a grade school for its children. There is also a great “shoot out” story from the pages of the “old west” that took place in Gilson on this page as well!

An incredible website regarding the history of the Gilson – Haw Creek Township School System is found on the website http://gilsonschool.homestead.com/history.html . According to this site, the high school for Haw Creek Township was formed in 1902. The Haw Creek Township High School building was built in Gilson in 1903. The first graduating class of five students earned their diplomas in 1905. In 1928 a gymnasium was added to the school in a VERY unique way. They built it on the second floor of an addition that included classrooms on the first floor.

School Bell – Gilson School

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The Gilson -Haw Creek Township High School was quite innovative for a small town school district. Gilson School District was the first to use buses for transportation to and from school in Knox County. They also utilized field trips and other forward-thinking ideas to enhance the learning experience for their children.

The consolidation effort of the State of Illinois caught up to many small schools in the late 1940s. Haw Creek Township High School in Gilson was one of those caught in this effort. Gilson – Haw Creek Township High School closed in 1948, keeping only a grade school for kids in K – 6 open. All other kids in grades 7 – 12 attended school as part of the Knoxville School District after the closure. The grade school closed in 1977 with all classes now held in Knoxville.

The original Gilson – Haw Creek Township High School building as visited in November of 2024 is still standing in town. However the building suffered great damage recently due to a fire. It was sad to see this grand old building trying to hang on but I fear it is headed for the wrecking ball. Such a great, historical building who served the town of Gilson for many, many years. A good fan of the area, Denis Shenaut, tells us he and others played basketball in the gym through the early 1980s.

An excellent book which reviews and documents the history of Gilson and several other schools in the Know County area has been published by Marie Olinger of Galesburg. As Marie describes her book and how to order it:

“Rural Schools Out of the Past has over 200 pages of pictures and stories from students or teachers of rural schools. Pictures of 50 schools in Knox County and close by. The cost is $25 plus postage of $4 or make arrangements to pick up. To order the book please write to

Marie Olinger

743 IL RT 41

Galesburg, IL 61401

You may also phone me at 309-462-2293 I will be at Gilson School Ice Cream Social July 16, 2006 from 2p to 5p with my book and visiting with guests.”

Gilson – Haw Creek Township High School Quick Facts

Year graded school began: 1870

Year HS courses began: 1902

Year HS building built: 1903

First graduating class: 1905 (five students)

Gymnasium built: 1928 (2nd floor)

Year closed: 1948

Consolidated to: Knoxville School District

Year grade school closed: 1977

School team nickname: the “Trojans”

School team colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Rear View of Hawcreek School

Courtesy of Gerry Halpin

ATHLETICS

We know that Gilson Haw Creek Township High School competed in basketball. They may have also played softball or baseball and track. Unfortunately there is no listing of the accomplishments attained by the athletes of the school on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) . If you have this information and would like to share it please follow the directions below.

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BOYS BASKETBALL

The Gilson Haw Creek “Trojans” definitely competed in boys basketball. Scores involving Gilson participating in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois High School Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below.

1921-22 Galesburg District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Victoria 21-15

2nd Rd Beat Altona 20-17

3rd Rd lost to Wethersfield 29-21

Galesburg beat Williamsfield in title game.

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1930-31 Elmwood District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Williamsfield 23-21

Wyoming beat Brimfield in title game.

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1931-32 District scores not available.

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

1st Rd lost to Maquon 18-16

Peoria Central beat Williamsfield in title game.

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

1st Rd Beat Rio 32-11

2nd Rd lost to Abingdon 35-14

Galesburg beat Knoxville in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Oneida 20-16

Galesburg Beat Knoxville in title game.

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1935-36 Galesburg District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Altona 54-18

Altona beat Avon in title game.

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1936-37 Maquon District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Rio 47-23

Semi-Final lost to Maquon 37-29

Avon Beat Maquon in title game

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1937-38 District scores needed.

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1938-39 Maquon District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Victoria 34-15

Victoria beat Yates City in title game.

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1939-40 District scores needed.

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1940-41 Oneida District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Oneida 43-32

Maquon beat Oneida in title game.

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1941-42 District scores needed.

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1942-43 Oneida District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Oneida 61-27

Altona beat Oneida in title game.

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1943-44 District scores needed.

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1944-45 District scores needed.

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1945-46 Oneida District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Maquon 39-22

Oneida beat Altona in title game.

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1946-47 Oneida District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Wataga 47-41

Oneida beat Woodhull in title game.

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

1st Rd lost to Wataga 59-24

**Oneida beat Wataga in title game.

**Final varsity boys basketball game played by Gilson Haw Creek High School. School consolidated with Knowville School District in the summer of 1948.

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SEEKING FURHTER INFORMATION

We are told there may have been some really good teams and athletes at Gilson High School. There were probably several other great accomplishments other than those mentioned. If you have this information please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Gilson School Building