The History of Hopedale High School The “village” of Hopedale (population 929) is Illinois’ 710th biggest city according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Hopedale is located in Tazwell County on Il. Route 122 approximately two miles east of Interstate Highway 155. A city near by of note is Bloomington located 25 miles to the east-northeast of Hopedale. The Illinois Central Railroad travels through the southeast side of town and the Indian Creek parts the town right down the middle. The “Mapquest” site (www.mapquest.com) shows the location of the Hopedale elementary school. The following special memories of the Hopedale High School years were provided by Class of 1970 alumna Linda (Wilson) Thomas: “The building was made of sturdy red brick and was two stories tall. The home ec room was located in one corner of the basement floor. The other corner on the same side of the building housed the locker rooms and the gym took up the other half of the basement area. The library and large study hall room were located on the top floor and had a wooden floor. The staircases and hallways were speckled granite. “The bleachers in the gym were raised 1/2 floor above the gym floor and were made of wood. They extended the entire length of the basketball court. (In those days, girls only played basketball in PE class and they played by girl’s basketball rules.) An enthusiastic basketball crowd could and did create quite a noise. The gym was used for PE classes, FHA suppers, Christmas vespers and even for prom. Many hours were spent by ambitious juniors who determinedly transformed the gym into a fantasy land using crepe paper streamers and hand-made paper flower! “It truly looked magical and many underclassmen looked on in admiration and dreamed of the year when they would be in charge and would be a part of the annual dance preparations. “The grade school was located a short distance away and when it was time for lunch, there was a mad dash from the high school to the grade school gym/cafeteria. “My class, the Class of 1970, had 23 students. In 1968, if I remember correctly, the school population was 50 boys and 49 girls.” Research is needed regarding the origin of Hopedale. Its’ school system began sometime in the late 1800’s with a high school opening in the 1880’s. The first class of two-year graduates were honored in 1893, then a third year was added in 1903, with a fourth year added in 1904. A new building was built in 1920. In 1965, the school districts of Armington, Hopedale, and Minier consolidated but their high schools remained open on a solo basis. In the late 1960’s/early 1970’s, talk of consolidating several school Districts in the area surfaced. This became a reality in 1972 when the school districts of Armington-Hopedale-Minier, Atlanta, Danvers, Stanford, and McLean-Waynesville all merged to create the Olympia School District. The High School for Olympia is located in Stanford. The fate of the Hopedale High School building is a sad one, having been torn down in 1975. Hopedale High School Quick Facts Year opened: possibly late 1800s (1890s?) First 2-yr graduates: 1893 Became 3-yr school: 1903 Became 4-yr school: 1904 Year closed: 1972 School nickname: the “Indians” School colors: Maroon & White School paper: “Hodaco Junior” or “The Indian” School Fight Song: Hopedale High School Fight Song Sung to “On Wisconsin” Click Play button below and sing along! Hopedale High School, Hopedale High School, Rah Rah Rah!! Hopedale High School, Hopedale High School, (chanted) Cha-hee, cha-ha, |
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