The History of Ford Central High School Piper City (population 781) is located in upper-eastern Illinois about 25 miles east-southeast of Pontiac. The town was platted in the north-central “panhandle” region of Ford County. U.S. Route 24 intersects with Illinois Route 115 on the “outskirts” of the south and west sides of Piper City, giving a lot of road travel to and from the town. According to Map Quest (www.mapquest.com), the Toledo, Peoria, & Western Railroad is the owner of the railroad tracks that divide Piper City. A branch of the North Fork of the Vermillion River flows both to the west and to the east of Piper City. Roberts (population 387) is located on Il. Route 54 approximately 40 miles southwest of Kankakee. This places Roberts in northern Ford County. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad runs through the center of the town. Thawville (population 258) is located in far western Iroquois County on Il. Route 54. This places the town approximately 35 miles southwest of Kankakee. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad runs through the center of the village At one time all three towns featured their own high schools. In 1949 Roberts and Thawville combined their schools to create the Roberts-Thawville School District. Dwindling enrollment was the cause for consolidation talks between Piper City High School and Roberts-Thawville High School. This effort became a reality in 1974 with the creation of the Ford Central School District. The high school for the Ford Central School District was located in Piper City. Ford Central High School had a lot of success in its short tenure. Continued declining enrollment forced further consolidation talks for the residents of the three towns. It was decided in 1992 that the Ford Central School District would be deactivated. Residents of the three towns decided to “go their own way”. The Piper City kids were annexed to the Tri-Point (Cullom) School District, the Roberts kids now attend school at PBL, and the Thawville kids go to Iroquois West (Gilman). The former Ford Central High School building is now used as the Tri-Point Junior High School, Ford Central High School Quick Facts Year created: 1974 Year closed: 1992 School building today: Tri-Point Junior High School School nickname: the “Cougars” School colors: Columbia Blue & Gold School Fight Song: “Go U Ford Central” (Tune of Northwestern University Fight Song)
Go U Ford Central, Break right through that line! With our colors flying, We will cheer for you all the time! Rah Rah Rah! Go U Ford Central, Fight for victory! Fight for the fame of our great name, Go Ford Central win this game!! Cha-he Cha-ha Cha-ha-ha-ha Ford Central Cougars RAH RAH RAH!!!! |
|||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|