Gladstone High School “Hawks”

Gladstone High School Building & Gym 2020

Gladstone Population Sign 2020

A picture containing text, grass, outdoor, sign

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The History of Gladstone High School

The village of Gladstone (population 234) is located on Il. Route 164 one mile north of US. Route 34 in northern Henderson County. Other location landmarks include being approximately 20 miles southwest of Monmouth and five miles east of the Mississippi River. The A, T & SF Railroad runs through town and the South Henderson Creek also is a part of the village’s history. Gladstone is likely named after the British Prime Minister of 1881, William Gladstone. The village of Gladstone reached a population peak of 450 in 1920. The population last topped 300 in 1980 (354).

The history of the original Gladstone school system is needed. Gladstone supported a three-year high school from at least the middle 1890s through 1948. In 1947 the state of Illinois passed a law decommissioning all 1, 2, and 3-year high schools. In the summer of 1948 a consolidation effort between Gladstone High School and its neighbor to the north, Oquawka, took place. The Gladstone / Oquawka School District was initiated for the fall of 1949. Gladstone had just begun construction of a new high school building in the summer of 1947. This building still stands on the south side of Gladstone.

Gladstone HS Bldg West Wing 2020

Gladstone High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s

Year closed: 1948

Consolidated to: Gladstone-Oquawka / Now part of Biggsville West Central

School nickname: the “Hawks”

School colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Gladstone HS Gymnasium Entrance 2020

Athletics

There is not any information regarding the Gladstone High School athletic program on the IHSA web site. We are confident basketball, and possibly baseball and track, were part of the athletic program at Gladstone High. Team records, coach’s names, individual accomplishments, team uniform colors, and school fight song are all items we are interested in adding to this page.

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Boys Basketball

Several scores involving the Gladstone Hawks playing in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores.” These scores have been reprinted below.

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

1st Rd lost to Roseville 56-8

Roseville beat Stronghurst in title game.

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

1st Rd lost to Good Hope 44-18

Alexis beat Blandinsville in title game.

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

1st Rd Beat Blandinsville 21-19

2nd Rd lost to Colchester 52-24

Good Hope beat Stronghurst in title game.

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1937-38 Kiethsburg District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to New Boston 42-17

Oquawka beat Keithsburg in title game.

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1938-39 New Boston District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Little York 26-25

Viola beat Oquawka in title game

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

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1940-41 New Boston District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Little York 26-23

New Boston beat Seaton in title game.

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

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1942-43 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1944-45 New Boston District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to New Windsor 48-25

Biggsville beat New Windsor in title game.

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1945-46 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1946-47 New Boston District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Alpha 52-16

Oquawka beat Alpha in title game.

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

1st Rd Beat Little York 35-32

**Semi-final lost to Seaton 42-37

New Boston beat Seaton in title game

**Final varsity boys basketball game for Gladstone High School boys basketball program.

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Extra-Curricular Activities

Band, chorus, student government, FFA, FHA, and class plays were likely a big part of the success in educating the students of Gladstone High.

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We Need Your Help……

..in finding out more about Gladstone High School and its history. Whether it concerns athletic-related information or information about the schools’ history, you can e-mail items and photos to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

Gladstone HS Gym and South WIng from East 2020