The History of Kane High School Kane (population 459) is located in southwestern Illinois in the southern portion of Greene County ( Kane Township ). The town is situated midway between Carrollton to the north and Jerseyville to the south. The village, which is served by county blacktops and Illinois State Route 67 one mile to the west, is about 5 blocks square. The original settlement in the area was started around 1820. In 1865, a new village was platted one mile to the east, along the line of the new railroad. The two nearly adjacent areas are still known as “Old Kane” and “New Kane” today. Information on Kane High School is from a history of Jersey County schools written in 1977 by O.A. Wilson, former county superintendent of schools. The photo at the top of this page can by found at http://greene.ilgenweb.net/Education/schpic2.htm. The following is an excerpt from O.A. Wilson’s report: “In 1951 some parents in the Kane school district and several other nearby districts in Greene County but adjacent to Jersey County Community Unit #100 across the Greene-Jersey county line petitioned to have their districts annexed to Community Unit #100. Kane had maintained a small high school for years, but the petitioners apparently wanted to make available to their children the wider choice of courses and other advantages of the much larger Jersey Community High School . They were opposed by many residents of Kane, who did not want to lose their high school, and by other Greene County residents who hoped to see the Kane area included in a future Greene district, probably a Community Unit based on Carrollton . . . . The referenda were held Jan. 26, 1952. The voters in Community Unit #100 approved the proposed annexation easily, 262-71, but the referendum in the Kane area developed into a first-class political brawl. When the votes were counted it was found that the annexation had carried, 209-167, and the territory became part of Community Unit #100.”
Regarding the Kane School photo above submitted by Buatte Springer: “While studying my family history I have found a picture of Kane High School. Apparently my great grandfather, CH Branom, taught 7th and 8th grade at the school I’m not sure of the exact years but it was probably in the late 1800s or early 1900s.” Based on information supplied it appears as though Kane High School closed in 1952. The following history of the Kane school buildings was sent to us by Nancy Sullivan, Kane School student from 1977-1981: “Kane High School became Kane Elementary School and housed students from K-6 grades until the end of the school year 1981-1982. The school was closed in the spring of 1982 due to the high cost of keeping it open versus the small number of students attending the school. The students who attended Kane School were bussed to East Elementary School in Jerseyville the following year, and have been ever since. Teachers and staff from Kane School were relocated to other positions in the Jersey Community Unit School District . The school’s colors were purple and white, and the mascot was the Hornet. Today, parts of the school remain standing – including what was the gymnasium. The gymnasium was converted into a farm implement repair shop. Other older parts of the building – including most of the classrooms and the cafeteria, were torn down. I believe the Kindergarten and First Grade classrooms, which were housed in a smaller annex building, were converted into apartments.” Request from Brad Nunamaker: “I went to Kane Elementary from 1975 to 1981. I was wondering if anyone had a photo of the hornet mascot that was painted on the wall in the gymnasium?” If you do have a photo of this mascot, send it to us via e-mail at eganann@sbcglobal.net and we will insure that Brad receives it. Kane High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s? Year closed: 1952 Consolidated to: Jerseyville High School Kane HS team nickname: the “Hornets” Kane HS team colors: Red & Green School Fight Song: unavailable |
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