Lima High School

  The History of Lima High School

Lima (population 159) is located in far west-central Illinois in northwest Adams County. Illinois Route 96 is the “main drag” running through town. Lima is located about 15 miles north of Quincy, five miles east of the Mississippi River. A branch of the Whiteoak Creek flows through town as well.

Lima was first settled in 1828 with a two-story brick building and it is believed that a school came at a later date. The community probably started a high school in its town in the late 1800’s, and a new building was in place in 1907. It was a T-shaped building that had two classrooms and hallway on the east side of the building with another classroom on the west side before another room was added to that side around 1919. The school became a two-year school in 1914, but it is not known when it became a three-year school.

In the late 1940’s, consolidation talks began between several northwest Adams County towns. The effort included Lima High School. In 1948, Lima joined the towns of LoraineUrsa, and Mendon to form one school district known as Unity School District (http://www.fourstar.lib.il.us/community/cusd4/who/).

Lima kept a grade school operating as a part of the Unity District through 1961, when all school functions ceased in Lima. The fate of the original high school building, is a sad one as it was later torn down. The property that the school stood was been turned into a park. We are hopeful that a photo of this building is still available and will be submitted for use on this page.

Lima High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                  late 1800’s

Year it became 2-yrs       1914

Year closed:                   1948

Consolidated to:              Unity School District (Mendon)

Lima School nickname:   unavailable

School colors:                unavailable

School Fight Song:         unavailable

Athletics and Extra Curricular Activities

The Lima High School boys likely competed in basketball and quite likely track and baseball. School team colors, school fight song, team records, and coach’s names are all items we are in need of. There is no mention of Lima High School on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org).

BOYS BASKETBALL

We have been able to find out that the school’s first basketball team was organized by principal George Stickey sometime after World War I and they played their games on an outdoor court.

Games involving Lima High School playing in the annual IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores. The results are listed below.

1920-21                    Quincy District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Camp Point 13-12 (O/T)

Pittsfield beat Barry in title game

1931-32                    Quincy District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Kinderhook 32-12

2nd Rd lost to Golden 14-13

Payson beat Mendon in title game

1932-33                    Quincy District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Lorraine 27-17

2nd Rd lost to Hamilton 39-6

Quincy beat Hamilton in title game

1933-34                    Quincy District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Ursa 37-15

Quincy beat Hamilton in title game

1934-35                    Quincy District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to LaPrairie 39-15

Quincy beat Camp Point in title game

1935-36                    Camp Point District Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Augusta 126-6

Augusta beat Timewell in title game

1937-38                    Golden District Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Golden 54-17

Golden beat Liberty in title game

1938-39                    Golden District Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Golden 34-16

Golden beat Ursa in title game

1940-41                    Golden District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to LaPrairie 30-28

Golden beat LaPrairie in title game.

1942-43                    Golden District Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Golden 23-11

Golden beat LaPrairie in title game

1944-45                    Golden District Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed.

*1st Rd lost to Clayton 36-18

Kinderhook beat Clayton in title game

*Final varsity boys basketball game listed on the site for Lima High School.

Extra-Curricular Activities

It is likely that Lima High School offered music, clubs, dances, and other such extra-curricular activities. We are interested in information on these activities as well.

If You Have ANY Information…

…on the former Lima High School we hope you will take the time to share it with us. We would like to share the memories of this school before the information is possibly lost forever. We are especially interested in a photo of the original high school building. You can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631


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