| The History of Granite City North High School
Granite City (population 31,303) is located in the southwestern Illinois in the southwestern portion of Madison County. The Mississippi River flows about two miles to the west of town. St. Louis is about 6 miles to the southwest of Granite City. Illinois Routes 3, 203, and 111 will all lead you into town. Interstate Highways 55, 64, 70, 255, and 270 all surround Granite City. According to a website about the metropolis of Granite City (http://www.villageprofile.com/illinois/granitecity/granitecity1.html) the town was incorporated in 1896. The town was started in 1892 by brothers William and Frederick Niedringhaus, two successful German-born businessmen from St. Louis. The brothers had begun an eating untensil factory in St. Louis and had learned of a way of coating the utensils with granite. The area of where Granite City now sits was bought by the brothers for the purpose of establishing a factory and a town based on this business. Hence the name of Granite City was given to the town. Its close proximity to the St. Louis metropolitan area and some excellent, hard work has allowed Granite City to become a thriving city over the years. Granite City had a long and rich history of providing educational opportunities as well. A high school was likely established very early on in the town’s growth. It was in the early 1970s that a population boom saw for the need of two high schools within the city limits. In 1973 this effort came true. Granite City High School was renamed Granite City South High School while a new building was constructed on the north side of town. This school was named Granite City North High School. The two high schools in Granite City were supported well for 10 years. Decreasing enrollment and funding led to the belief that the ciity could manage with just one high school. In 1983 this effort also was realized. Granite City North High School was closed. Granite City South was simply renamed Granite City High School. The fate of the Granite City North High School building was sent to us by Matt Lalor: “Immediately after Granite North closed at the end of the 1982-83 term, the building was sold to Illinois Community College District 522, better known at the time as Belleville Area College (BAC), and became the Granite City Campus of Belleville Area College (GCC-BAC). BAC has been Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) since 2000. GCC has become the Sam Wolfe Educational Center of SWIC. As GCC-BAC, its sports teams were called the Stars, competing with the Belleville campus. Athletics were consolidated in 1990 at the Belleville campus and teams were called the Dutchmen and Dutchwomen, as the case was. As SWIC, all teams are called the Blue Storm.” Granite City North High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1973 Year closed: 1983 Consolidated to: Granite City High School GC North team nickname: the “Steelers” GC North team colors: Black & Gray School Fight Song: “Now On To Victory” Lyrics provided by Elizabeth S. Horn “When these years have ended Always something special Now on to victory you Steelers Fight, Fight, Fight!! You’ve got what it takes you Steelers, You will always fight to win. You’ve got what it takes you Steelers, Granite North will not give in. That’s why we love you. Granite North forever more.” |
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