| Hersman High School – 2006 | |||||||||
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| Photo Courtesy of John Keach | |||||||||
The History of Hersman High School
Hersman (population approximately 25) is located in western Illinois in the center of Brown County. It was established in 1865 and named for William T. Hersman. The main roadway passing through Hersman is Illinois Route 99. This tiny hamlet is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Jacksonville and 40 miles east of Quincy. The town is not listed as an official incorporated town of Illinois.
The history of Hersman and its former school system is in need of research. We only know that there was, in fact, a Hersman High School in the first half of the 1900s. We believe that Hersman High School was probably established by the late 1800s to early 1900s. It served the village of Hersman and the surrounding farm kids for about four decades. In the early to mid 1940s the towns of Brown County chose to consolidate their educational efforts into one school district. The folks who supported the Hersman school chose to join this effort. We believe the Brown County School District was established in the mid-1940s. Hersman High School was subsequently closed at this time.
| Hersman HS Class of 1925 |
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| Courtesy of John Keach |
The following memories of Hersman High School, as well as the photo above, were provided by John Keach:
“I attended Hersman school. It was a three-room school consisting of:
Grades 1-4
Grades 5-8
Grades 9-12
I moved from Hersman in 1942, after completing third grade. My mother was in the high school class of 1925. I have the class pictures on this (pictured to your right). My mother, Alma Lucille Robbins (Keach), is pictured in the second row to the right. Also, the building still stands. Has been used as a community center in years past.”
Hersman High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: mid 1940s
Consolidated to: Brown County School District (Mt. Sterling)
Hersman HS team nickname: “Wildcats”
Hersman HS team colors: Blue & White
School Fight Song: unavailable
| Athletics
Hersman High School had at least two good seasons in boys basketball. It is probable that boys track and baseball were offered too. School team nickname, school colors, fight song, team coach’s, and team records are all items being sought. —– Boys Basketball The Hersman High School boys basketball program won two District titles in the early 1940s. Unfortunately this all of the information we currently have available to us. We are searching for the team records and coach’s names of these and other great Hersman High School teams. Scores involving Hersman in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois High School Postseason Basketball Scores and are copied below. —- 1939-40 Littleton District Champions Coach’s name & record needed. Early Round Scores Needed. Title Game Beat Little ton 48-41 Beardstown Regional Tournament 1st Rd lost to Vermont 65-25 Rushville beat Beardstown in title game. —— 1941-42 Littleton District Champions Coach’s name & record needed. Early Round Scores Needed. Title Game Beat Browning 39-24 Beardstown Regional Tournament 1st Rd lost to Astoria 56-14. Beardstown beat Rushville in title game. —– Need Your Assistance If you have ANY information regarding the achievements and history of Hersman High School, especially a photo of the high school building, please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us via real mail at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631 |
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