Opdyke (population 254) is a town located in southeastern Illinois on Illinois Route 142 about eight miles southeast of Mt. Vernon. This places Opdyke in eastern Jefferson County. The Louisville Nashville Railroad once ran tracks through town. A branch of the Auxier Creek also flows through Opdyke. The village was platted in 1871 along the St. Louis and Southeastern Railroad line. The village was named after a New York banker named George Opdyke who was an investor in the railroad.
Not a lot of information is known about the Opdyke school history. It is known Opdyke supported a high school for many years. Opdyke does still apparently support its own elementary schools as it still hosts an elementary and middle school in town. This is a cooperative effort with its neighbor to the southeast, Belle Rive. It is likely the students who graduagte from Opdyke-Belle Rive Grade School go on to attend high school in nearby Mt. Vernon.
Opdyke High School likely closed in the late 1940s as the last mention of their athletic success on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) is in boys basketball in 1948. If you have any information on the history of Opdyke and its school system please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . A link to the current Opdyke – Belle RIve School website can be viewed at http://opdykebelle5.sharpschool.net/ .
Opdyke High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: 1948 (?)
School nickmame: unavailable
School colors: Red & White
School Fight Song: unavailable
Athletics
Opdyke High School definately offered boys basketball. It is thought that baseball and track were also offered. We are hopeful someone will share this information with us before it is lost forever.
Boys Basketball
The Opdyke High School boys basketball team won two District titles during its existence. Unfortunately the school records and coach’s names are not available. The years of the titles won are listed below. Several scores involving Opdyke High School in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” They are listed below as well.
1932-33 Fairfield District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Mt. Erie 35-19
2nd Rd Beat Belle Rive 19-8
Semi-final lost to Mt. Vernon 40-23
Flora beat Mt. Vernon in title game
1933-34 Fairfield District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Geff 33-16
2nd Rd lost to Mt. Vernon 39-10
Mt. Vernon beat Fairfield in title game
1934-35 Ashley District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Beckemeyer 63-20
2nd Rd lost to Ashley 53-28
Mt. Vernon beat Fairfield in title game
Mt. Vernon beat Centralia in title game
1935-36 Wayne City District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
Semi-final lost to Bonnie 35-16
Bonnie beat Woodlawn in title game
1936-37 Nashville Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to New Baden 26-24 (O/T)
Centralia beat Nashville in title game
1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1938-39 West Frankfort Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Ziegler 51-21
Ziegler beat Benton in title game
1939-40 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1940-41 Waltonville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Okawville 30-26
Okawville beat Waltonville in title game
1941-42 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1942-43Ina District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed
Semi-final Beat Bonnie 50-24
Title Game lost to Waltonville 41-36
1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1944-45 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1945-46 Waltonville District Champions Coach’s name & record needed
Semi-final Beat Bonnie 33-32
Title Game Beat Waltonville 44-42
Mt. Vernon Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to Wayne City 63-32
Mt. Vernon Beat Fairfield in title game
1946-47 Bluford District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Dahlgren 43-42
Semi-final lost to Bluford Webber
Bluford Webber beat Waltonville in title game
1947-48 Waltonville District Champions Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Tamaroa 76-36
Title Game Beat Waltonville
Mt. Vernon Regional Tournament
1st Rd Beat Woodlawn 42-32
Semi-final lost to Fairfield 72-50
Mt. Vernon Beat Fairfield in title game
Opdyke High School Band of 1940
Courtesy of Jennie Richardson
Extra-Curricular Activities
There was more than just athletics offered at Opdyke High School. As you can see by the photo to the right supplied by Jennie Richardson, band was one of the opportunities afforded the kids of Opdyke. We are certain other activities such as choir, FFA, FHA, plays, and banquets all added to the experience of attending Opdyke High School.
Need Your Assistance
If you would like to share any information regarding the history and many different successes of Opdyke High School, especially a photo of the old high school building and great characters and teams, please e-mail them to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.. You can also write to us at:
