Kinderhook (population 249) is located in northwestern Pike County, just 10 miles east of the Mississippi River in the western portion of Illinois. Three Illinois Routes (57, 96, & 106) intersect in Kinderhook. A town of note in the area is Quincy, just 20 miles to the northwest of Kinderhook. The Norfolk & Western Railroad makes its way through Kinderhook as well.
Hull (population 474) is located at the intersection of Illinois Routes 106 and 96 in western Illinois’ Pike County. Interstate Highway 72 has an exit for Hull also. Hull is located eight miles east of the Mississippi River, close enough to feel the effects of a bad flood (and they have!). A branch of the Walnut Creek cuts through town as does a line of the Norfolk & Western Railroad. Quincy is located about 15 miles northwest of Hull. Hull is probably named after early settlers of the same last name.
New Canton (population 417) is located in far western Illinois in the northwestern portion of Pike County. The town is located about 12 miles southeast of Hannibal, Missourri. Illinois Route 96 is the main roadway through New Canton. The Kiser Creek flows to the east of town. The Mississippi River is both six miles west and six miles south of New Canton.
All three towns once supported their own high schools and have individual pages on this website which can be viewed by “clicking” on each town’s name. It was between the years of 1947 and 1949 that plans were finalized for the three high schools to be consolidated into one. This effort was realized in 1949 with the creation of the West Pike School District. The first Superintendent of the district was Colman Winn followed by Harry Hall in 1951-52. The first Principal was John Codd, popular long-time principal of New Canton H.S.
The high school for West Pike would be located in Kinderhook. The towns of Hull and New Canton would host grade schools for the new distict in their respective towns. West Pike School District lasted for nearly six decades. Declining enrollment led to consolidation talks with the school district’s neighbor, Barry. These talks were realized in the spring of 2007 with the creation of the Barry Western School District, thus bringing to a close the history of Kinderhook West Pike High School.
The West Pike High School building continues to serve the area as a junior high school for the Barry Western School District.
Kinderhook West Pike High School Quick Facts
Year opened: 1949
Year closed: 2007
Consolidated to: Barry Western School District
School team nickname: the “Cardinals”
School team uniform colors: Red & White
School Fight Song: “On Ole West Pike”
Sung to the tune “ON WISCONSIN”
Submitted by “Deb”
ATHLETICS
West Pike High School enjoyed some incredible success in the sport of boys basketball. The school also competed in football, cross country, track, and possibly baseball for boys. The girls competed in basketball, cross country, volleyball, track, and possibly softball. We are searching for the school’s team nickname(s), uniform colors, season records, coach’s names, and any other items of interest regarding the athletic program of West Pike High.
Kinderhook Wst Pike Gym 2014 – Capacity 985
Photo by Bruce Firchau
Kinderhook West Pike Gymnasium 2014
Photo by Bruce Firchau
BOYS BASKETBALL
One season marked the ultimate success for this small school in Illinois’ far-western portion. The boys of 1993-94 earned a THIRD PLACE FINISH in the IHSA Class ‘A’ State Tournament!! There were several other great teams which graced the courts of West Pike High as well. The many great seasons are outlined below as listed on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). Some scores involving West Pike High School in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below as found.
1949-50 Quincy Regional Tournament CoachBoyd Roberts
Season Record Needed
Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Quincy Notre Dame 52-45
Semi-final lost to Quincy HS 54-28
Quincy won Regional over Payson
Quincy lost in Elite 8 Round
1950-51Barry Regional Tournament Coach Dick Heitholt
Season Record Needed
Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Pearl 56-49
Semi-final lost to Griggsville 43-28
Griggsville beat Pittsfield in title game
Griggsville lost in Sectional
1951-52 Quincy Regional Tournament Coach Dick Heitholt
Season Record Needed
Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Liberty 79-36
Semi-final lost to Quincy N.D. 60-46
Quincy won Regional over QND
Quincy lost to Hebron in IHSA Title Game
1952-53Barry Regional Tournament Coach Dick Heitholt
Season Record Needed
Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Liberty 50-41
Semi-final lost to Quincy HS 50-38
Quincy won Regional over Quincy ND
Quincy lost in Sectional Round
1953-54Kinderhook Regional Tourney Coach Dick Heitholt
Season Record Needed
Regional Scores
1st Rd lost to Mendon Unity 48-46
Semi-final Unity lost to Quincy N.D.
Quincy won Regional over QND
Quincy lost in Elite 8 Rd
1954-55 Quincy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Mendon Unity 72-58
Unity lost to Quincy in semi-final
Quincy beat QND in title game
Quincy lost in Elite 8 Rd.
1955-56 Quincy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Quincy 95-35
Quincy beat QND in title game
Quincy lost in Elite 8 Rd.
1956-57 Barry Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Quincy 96-51
Quincy lost to QND in title game
Quincy ND placed 4th in IHSA Tourney
1957-58Kinderhook Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Quincy ND 57-30
Quincy lost in Sweet 16 Rd
1958-59 Quincy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Quincy 92-51
Quincy lost to QND in title game
Quincy lost in Sectional Rd
1959-60 Quincy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Quincy 69-53
Quincy beat Quincy Christian Brothers in title game
*School co-opted boys basketball with Barry until consolidation of 2007.
IHSA State Basketball Records Held By WEST PIKE HIGH SCHOOL:
* #1 All-Time – Most 3-Point Field Goals Made in State Final Appearance – Kirk Mosely (8 made) versus Normal U-High 1994-95.
* #1 All-Time – Most 3-Point Field Goals Made in State Final Appearance – Team – (12 made) versus Normal U-High 1994-95.
* #32 All-Time – Most 3-Point FGs attempted – game (15) – Kirk Mosley – Kinderhook (West Pike) vs. Normal (University), March 11, 1995 (state semifinal)
* #70 All-Time – Total Coaching Wins – 499 –Ralph Hallan, Kinderhook (West Pike), Assumption, Varna (Mid-County) (499-193).
Kinderhook West Pike Gymnasium 2014
Photo by Bruce Firchau
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
One female trackster from West Pike earned a medal at the IHSA State Class ‘A’ Track Meet. This feat was accomplished in 1996 by Catie Borrowman who placed FIFTH in the 400 meter dash!
One harrier for the boys earned All-State honors in 1980. Jon Hanes placed 22ND in the IHSA Class ‘A’ State Cross Country Meet!!
1980-81Individual Medalist – Jon Hanes22ND Place!!
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS COMPETITION
In the “English Department”, the West Pike kids had a nice run in the mid to late 1960s as well. As a team, the school won a total of three District titles. One individual, Benida Pryor, earned an individual medal in 1957 while competing in the “verse” category, placing 4TH that year!!
1964-65 District Champions
1966-67 District Champions
1967-68 District Champions
MEMORIES
Dick Heitholt, one of first coaches at WPHS, recalls early successes in basketball and baseball:
“The 50-51 basketball team featured Max Hopper (Hannibal Lagrange College), Gene Maddox, Sam Thompson, Norman Mayes and Truman Hazelrigg who won over 20 games -2nd in Winchester Tourney..
The 53-54 Pike County Conference Champs featured Dick Thompson, John Brinkman, Kent Sprague, Fred Tittsworth and George Harbison in basketball.
In baseball, Fred Tittsworth (Western Ill U.) was one of great hitters in West Pike History and Kent Sprague was outstanding pitcher. Defeating Pittsfield was a basketball highlight.
The first two years of West Pike found games contested in the old Kinderhook gym with furnaces in two corners of gym. The new school and gym opened in 1952.
I am very grateful for the start I had there with the great people and students of Pike County.”
**Coach Heitholt would later coach at Carlyle and Pittsfield high schools. He also served as Principal at Pittsfield H.S. as well as Quincy Sr. High School.
IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION TO SHARE….
…regarding your experience at West Pike High School please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. Any information is welcome to be added to this page. The “quick facts” info and a photo of the high school building are especially needed. You can mail items to us at the following address as well:
