Omaha High School

Omaha High School Building 1957
A picture containing building, outdoor, house, old

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Submitted by David Cantrell
Omaha High School Building
A picture containing grass, outdoor, building, house

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Submitted by Gerry Halpin

The History of Omaha High School

Omaha (population 263) is located in far southeastern Illinois in northwestern Gallatin County.  Illinois Route 1 runs through the center of Omaha and connects it to Illinois Route 141 just one mile to the north.  The Prairie Trunk Railroad runs to the east of Omaha.  A branch of the Cane Creek flows to the east of town as well.  Harrisburg sits about 20 miles southwest of Omaha.

The village of Omaha was first established in 1871 along the St. Louis & Southeastern Railroad line. It was named by a baggage handler who worked for the railroad named Henry Pearce. Mr. Pearce originally worked in Omaha, Nebraska and named the town after his original work-place town. The fillage was incorporated in 1888. (“Place Names of Illinois” by Edward Callary)

The following history of the Omaha School system was provided by David Cantrell.

“The first school in Omaha was established in 1874.  It is unknown when the high school was created.  In 1953, Omaha consolidated with Norris City forming the Norris City-Omaha (NCO) Community Unit Number 3 High School.

– History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1887

– Edward Oliver, Villager’s Voice, May 25, 2016”

Omaha High consolidated with its neighbor to the north, Norris City. The result of this effort was the creation of the Norris City-Omaha School District.

In 1985 Enfield joined Norris City-Omaha to create the Norris City-Omaha-Enfield School District.  The fate of the original Omaha school building is being sought.

Omaha High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                         late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed:                          1953

Consolidated to:                     Norris City-Omaha School District

Omaha HS team nickname:   unavailable

Omaha HS team colors:         unavailable

School Fight Song:                 unavailable

Athletics & Extra-Curriculars

We are quite certain that the Omaha High School boys participated in competitive basketball.  We believe they competed in baseball and track as well.  We are in need of your assistance here.  School team nickname, team colors, fight song, coach’s names, and team records are all items we are searching for.

We are also interested in items and activities that made Omaha High School unique.  Band, chorus, plays, meetings, clubs, and dances were likely all a part of the Omaha High School experience. If you have knowledge of these please write and share them with us.

Boys Basketball

Several basketball scores involving Omaha High School were located on a website titled “Illinois High School Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below.

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

1st Rd lost to Broughton 43-22

Galatia beat Eldorado in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Elizabethtown 27-20

Equality beat Eldorado in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Elizabethtown 34-18

Eldorado beat Carmi in title game

1935-36               Ridgway District Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Crab Orchard 37-10

Crab Orchard beat Broughton in title game

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

 1st Rd Beat Enfield 29-26

Semi-final lost to Springerton 34-27

Cave-In-Rock beat Springerton in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Burnt Prairie 73-20

Cave-In-Rock beat Burnt Prairie in title game

1945-46               Ridgway District Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Equality 46-24

Ridgway beat Equality in title game

1946-47               Shawneetown District Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Maunee 47-23

                            2nd Rd lost to Equality 37-23

Cave-In-Rock beat Equality in title game

1947-48               Equality District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Ridgway 44-31

Cave-In-Rock beat Ridgway in title game

*The last basketball score located on the Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores website involving Omaha High School was listed in 1948.

Seeking Your Assistance

Photos and information 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  


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