Postcards from Ipava 1846-1996″ Self-published – John H. Burgard – Ipava. (Submitted by John Bybee)
Ipava High School Early 1900s
Postcards from Ipava 1846-1996″ Self-published – John H. Burgard – Ipava. (Submitted by John Bybee)
The History of Ipava High School
Ipava (population 506) is located in western Illinois in southwestern Fulton County. U.S. Route 136 is the “main drag” in town and connects it with Macomb located 22 miles to the northwest. It also connects Ipava with Table Grove located 6 miles to the west. The railroad that curves through town was the CB&Q Railroad which merged into the BN Railroad and eventially became the BNSF Railroad.
The first school building built in Ipava was a stone building built in 1830. Another building was built in the 1850’s and the first high school class graduated in 1884: Ruthie David, Birdie Bell Babcock, Mary McCune and Loretta David.
Ipava High School – Fulton County History 1969
Submitted by John Bybee
It is known that Ipava supported its own school system for about five decades. In the mid-1940s talks arose of a consolidation of the school districts in Ipava, Table Grove, and Vermont. This became a reality in 1948 with the creation of the Vermont-Ipava-Table Grove School District. The entire school system is located near Table Grove and is known today as the Table Grove V.I.T. School District.
Ipava HS Memorial Marker (“1896”)
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen 2012
The Ipava school hosted grades 1 – 6 for the VIT school district for several years after the consolidation. In the 1970s a new elementary school was built near the high school. The Ipava school building served as a senior citizens center for a short while before being razed..
Ipava High School Quick Facts
Year opened: 1884
Year closed: 1947
Consolidated to: Vermont-Ipava-Table Grove School District (VIT)
School nickname: the “Bulldogs”
School colors: Blue & Gold
School Fight Song: “On Ipava”
Sung to “On Wisconsin”
Ipava HS Basketball Schedule 1929-30
Submitted by Beau Spencer (left click on photo for larger view)
Athletics
Ipava High School succeeded in winning IHSA hardware (www.ihsa.org) in boys basketball. This is, however, the only mention of the former high school on that site. It is probable that baseball and track were also offered for the boys.
Boys Basketball
Ipava High won a total of four District titles during their existence. All four titles were won in the 1940s, and remember, Ipava HS closed her doors in 1947. Four titles in eight years….not bad!! Unfortunately the records and coach’s names of the teams are not known. We are also interested in the many great teams that may not have won IHSA hardware (conference champs, winning records, ect.). Please e-mail us if you have this information. Several scores involving the Ipava High School boys basketball team in the IHSA State Tourney were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” Those scores are posted below.
1921-22 Canton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd Beat Vermont 26-22
2nd Rd score needed
Canton beat Glasford in title game
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1922-23 through 1932-33 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.
——–
1933-34 Lewistown District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd Beat Smithfield 31-13
2nd Rd lost to Fairview 22-15
Fairview lost to Canton in title game
———
1934-35 Canton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Prairie City 27-12
Prairie City lost to Lewistown in 2nd Rd
Lewistown lost to Canton in semi-final
Canton beat Fairview in title game
———-
1935-36 London Mills District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd score needed
Semi-final lost to Table Grove 22-21
Table Grove lost to Fairview in title game
——-
1936-37 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
——–
1937-38 Cuba District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd Beat Ellisville 45-12
Semi-Final Beat Table Grove 43-26
Title Game lost to Fairview 47-28
1938-39 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
——-
1939-40 IHSA District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed.
Title Game lost to Fairview 38-35
IHSA Regional Qualifier (Top 2 Teams advanced to Regional this season.)
Canton Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to Farmington 36-32
Lewistown beat Canton in title game.
——–
1940-41 Prairie City District Champions Coach’s name & record needed.
District Scores
1st Rd Beat Adair 37-32
Semi-final Beat Prairie City 31-22
Title Game Beat Fairview 41-33
Canton Regional Qualifier
1st Round Beat Farmington 46-33
Semi-Final lost to Lewistown 31-22
Canton Beat Lewistown in title game.
——-
1941-42 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1942-43 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
——-
1944-45 Browning District Champions Coach’s name & record needed.
Early Rd Scores Needed
Title Game Beat Chandlerville 61-56
Rushville Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to Beardstown 53-38
Beardstown lost to Rushville in semi-final
Rushville lost to Macomb Western in title game
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1945-46 Browning District Champions Coach’s name & record needed.
Early Rd Scores Needed
Title Game Beat Chandlerville 61-56
Beardstown Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to Rushville 36-34
Rushville lost to Beardstown in semi-final
Beardstown beat Mt. Sterling in title game.
——
1946-47 Rushville Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.
(Ipava did not compete in District)
**1st Rd lost to Mt. Sterling 63-42
Mt. Sterling lost to Beardstown in title game
**Final game as Ipava High School. Became part of the Table Grove V.I.T. School District in the summer of 1947.
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The origin of the Basketball team can date back prior to 1915. According to the book Fulton County History, the head coach was a man named Kline and his players were named H. Roddis, G. Roddis, Morrison, Baumgartner, Davis and Rose.
Memories
Submitted by John Barrett:
“Under the Ipava High School site comparing the dates under the basketball trophy years the name Paul Fouts isn’t listed. I believe he is the main reason that Ipava had those good teams. He was a once-in-a-lifetime athlete to come out of a school that size, he went on to play minor league ball for the Chicago White Sox.”
**From Amy Christy:
“Below are photos of a graduating class of Ipava High School in Ipava Illinois. Late 1800s –
upper right – Tom Bohannon (B. 1887), son of Thomas & Mary Elizabeth Catton Bohannon.
Lower left may be Olive Robinson (B. 1885) daughter of Thomas & Rebecca Jane Grewell Robinson.”
Both are the same photo, one in black and white one in color.
Ipava High School Graduating Class Late 1800s
Ipava High School Graduating Class Late 1800s
Submitted by Amy Christy
Seeking Your Help
Ipava High School had many individuals who worked hard to keep the school functioning in Ipava prior to their merger. Their efforts and accomplishments should not allowed to be forgotten. If you have any information about Ipava High School, especially a photo of the old high school building, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can also write to us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631
Ipava Baseball Field 2012
Submitted by John Bybee
Ipava Topless Dome Baseball Field 2012
Submitted by John Bybee
Ipava Memorial Pioneer Museum 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen
Ipava Cl;osed Store 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen
Ipava Closed Restuarant 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen
Ipava Freemason School 2012
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
Ipava Memorial Park 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen
Ipava High School Basketball Team 1920-21 – Submitted by John Farr
