| Mason High School Gymnasium 2015 | |||||||||
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| Built in 1938 – Now Mason Civic Center | |||||||||
| Mason School Gym Stone Memorial 2015 | |||||||||
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| Mason High School Building Empty Lot – 2015 |
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| Across the Street from Gymnasium |
The History of Mason High School
Mason (population 396) is located in southeastern Illinois in the south-central portion of Effingham County. Mason is located on Illinois Route 37 about 8 miles southwest of the city of Effingham. County Highways 12 and 24 also take you to and from Mason. Interstate Highway 57 travels past Mason about 1 mile to the west. The Illinois Central Railroad also passes through Mason.
An excellent book regarding the history of Effingham County was written in 1888 and is titled “History of Effingham County, Illinois edited by William Henry Perrin. A very nice history of the early days of the village of Mason can be viewed on page 194. In summary, the article states the following:
Mason was platted in in 1853 in what is known as Mason Township. Early hopes were that the town would become a hub of the area, hopeful to reach 5,000 residents. Several small businesses sprang up as did many residences. The town was incorporated in 1865.
The first school was begun in 1853. A two-story brick school building was built in 1860. It housed 80 – 100 students taught by 3 teachers. This is the extent of the mention of a school in Mason.
Our guess is that Mason High School began its classes in the late 1800s or early 1900s. It is likely that Mason High School served the community through the late 1940s, possibly longer. We do know that the students of Mason today attend high school in nearby Effingham. The Effingham High School web site states that several area schools consolidated in 1948. This effort likely included Mason High School which probably sent their high school aged children to Effingham beginning with the 1949-50 school year..
Mason High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: 1949
Consolidated to: Effingham High School
Mason HS nickname: unavailable
Mason HS colors: unavailable
School Fight Song: unavailable
ATHLETICS
We know that the boys of Mason High School competed in basketball. This fact was uncovered on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org). It is likely that baseball and track were offered as well. Team nickname, uniform colors, school fight song, and season summaries are needed for this page.
Boys Basketball
The boys of 1936-37 won a District Championship . Unfortunately, this is currently the extent of the information that we have,regarding this or other teams in the history of Mason High School. Scores involving Mason High School located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores” are listed below.
1932-33 Effingham District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Sigell 27-11
Effingham beat Kinmundy in title game
1933-34 Effingham District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Sigell 50-8
Effingham beat Altamont in title game
1934-35 Effingham District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Salem 59-5
Salem beat Teutopolis in title game
1935-36 Effingham District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Watson 42-9
Montrose beat Watson in title game
1936-37 IHSA District Champions Coach’s name & record needed
District Scores Needed
Effingham Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Teutopolis 51-7
Effingham beat T-town in title game
1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1938-39 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1939-40 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1940-41 Dietrich District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Toledo 66-14
Toledo beat Teutopolis in title game
1941-42 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1942-43 Watson District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Edgewood 56-5
Watson beat Strasburg in title game
1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1944-45 Dietrich District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Jewitt 21-17
Strasburg beat Toledo in title game
1945-46 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1946-47 Dietrich District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Montrose 27-26
2nd Rd lost to Strasburg 59-16
Cowden beat Strasburg in title game
1947-48 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1948-49 Strasburg District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
**1st Rd lost to Cowden 64-20
Strasburg beat Effingham St. Anthony in title game
**Likely the final game played by Mason High School. School consolidated with Effingham High School in the summer of 1949.
Extra-Curricular Activities
We are also interested in items and activities that made Mason High School unique. Band, chorus, plays, meetings, clubs, and dances were likely all a part of the Mason High School experience. If you have knowledge of these please write and share them with us.
Seeking Your Assistance
Photos and information regarding the former Mason High School can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also send items to us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631