Pearl (population 187) is located in lower western Illinois in the southeast corner of Pike County. Pearl should not be confused with Pearl City or Old Pearl. Pearl is located on the banks of the Illinois River along Illinois Route 100 at County Road 10. Hill Creek and the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad run through the center of town. For more information on Pearl go to: http://www.pikeil.org/communities/pearl.html .
The history of the school system in Pearl is in need of research by a local fan. It is assumed that Pearl High School was established in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Its closing came in 1955 when Pearl residents agreed to pool their educational efforts with the residents of nearby Milton. The result was the creation of the East Pike School District. East Pike continued until 1979 when it too was closed. The kids of Pearl are now sent to Pittsfield for their education upon the school’s closure.
Pearl High School Building – 1960
Submitted by Dale Summers
The following information was supplied to us by Sue Cox:
“I can add for sure is that Pearl had a grade school K-8, probably using part of the H. S. building until the late 1970’s. I know for sure because I taught there in the year ’76-’77. At that time it was kdg, combination 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8. Their grade school teams were known as the Lions. At that time Ray Davenport was principal.”
Unfortunately the Pearl High School building has been razed.
Pearl High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: 1955
Consolidated to: East Pike School District
School nickname: “Eagles”
School colors: Purple & Gold
School Fight Song: unavailable
Thank you to ONA DAY JOHNSTON for the Quick Facts info.
Athletics
Pearl High School definately offered boys basketball and boys track. They may have also offered baseball. Coach’s names, team records, and great accomplishments of Pearl High School are being sought.
Boys Basketball
The Pearl High School boys brought home one District title during their existence. We are interested to know of the other great seasons at Pearl where IHSA hardware was not won, but a perhaps a conference title or 20 win season needs to be discovered. The District basketball title is listed below.
1933-34 Pittsfield District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Hull 43-13
Pittsfield beat Kinderhook in title game
1934-35 Pittsfield District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Pleasant Hill 39-14
Pittsfield beat Kinderhook in title game
1935-36 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1936-37 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1938-39 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1939-40 Milton District Champions Coach’s name & record needed
Early Rd Scores Needed
Title Game Beat Milton 36-32
Top 2 Teams Advanced to Regional
Pittsfield Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to Pleasant Hill 37-35 (2 O/Ts)
Milton Beat Pittsfield in title game
1940-41 Pittsfield District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Pleasant Hill 39-14
Pittsfield beat Kinderhook in title game
1941-42 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1942-43 Nebo District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat New Canton 38-37
Semi-final lost to Milton 44-22
Nebo beat Milton in title game
1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1944-45 Milton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
Semi-final lost to Nebo 34-24
Milton beat Nebo in title game
1945-46 Milton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Manchester 50-40
Pearl lost in Semi-final Rd.
Kinderhook beat Milton in title game
1946-47 Milton District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Alsey 58-38
Semi-final Beat Kinderhook 58-22
Title Game lost to Milton 45-34
1947-48 Nebo District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Baylis 2-0 (forfeit)
Semi-final lost to Alsey 63-43
Alsey beat New Canton in title game
1948-49 Pittsfield Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Winchester 79-27
Pittsfield beat Winchester in title game
1949-50 Pittsfield Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Milton 48-33
Winchester beat Pittsfield in title game
1950-51 Barry Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to West Pike 56-49
Griggsville beat Pittsfield in title game
1951-52 Pittsfield Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Perry 80-64
Perry beat Pleasant Hill in title game
1952-53 Pittsfield Regional Tournament Coach George Lemons
Season record needed
1st Rd lost to Perry 69-40
Pittsfield beat Perry in title game
1953-54 2 – 21 Griggsville Regional Tournament Coach George Lemons
1st Rd lost to Pittsfield 61-28
Griggsville beat Pleasant Hill in title game
Pearl High School Basketball Teams 1953-54
Submitted by Judy Hurdle
Names of players in photos above:
Tournament Squad L to Right Coach George Lemons, Leroy Ashburn, Robert Heavner, Lyundle Scott, Benny Todaro, Larry Hauger, Donald Reeder, Don Patton, Richard Turner, Ronnie Turner, Bill Thurman, Jerry Miller (Manager)
Basketball Squad
Front Row L to R Gladys Smith, , Jean Johnson, Barbara Martin, Donna Wyatt
Second Row Seated L to R Leroy Ashburn, Robert Heavner, Lyndle Scott, Benny Todaro, Larry Hauger, Donald Reeder, Don Patton, Ronnie Turner, Bill Thurman
Back Row Coach George Lemons, Dean Booth, Kenny Donohoo, Paul Shanks, Harold Scott, Paul Dean Crater, Richard Turner, William Greenstreet, Manager Jerry Miller
Pearl HS 1953-54 Basketball Schedule from Yearbook
Submitted by Judy Hurdle
1954-55 17 – 6 School’s Final SeasonCoach George Lemons
Pleasant Hill Regional Tournament
**1st Rd lost to Perry 61-49
Winchester beat Pittsfield in title game
**Final boys basketball game for Pearl High School, consolidated to East Pike High School (Milton) in the summer of 1955.
Pearl High School Varsity Basketball Team 1954-55
Submitted by Judy Hurdle
Names for photos above provided by Judy Hurdle:
Tournament Squad L to R
Dale Akers, Harold Scott, Leroy Ashburn, Robert Heavner, Ronnie Turner,
Richard Turner, Benny Todaro, Lyndle Scott, Terry Edwards, Bill Thurmon,
Kenny Donohoo, Coach George Lemons
Basketball Squad
Back Row L to R Leroy Ashburn, Billy Joe Johnessee, Jay Atherton,
Warren Wheeler, Charles Fisher, Jerry Miller, Terry Edwards, William
Greenstreet, Virgil Carter, Coach George Lemons
Front Row L to R Harold Scott, Ronnie Turner, Robert Heavner, Richard
Turner, Benny Todaro, Lyndle Scott, Bill Thurmon, Kenny Donohoo
Cheerleaders L to R Margie Wyatt, Jean Johnson, Donna Laux, Gladys Smith
Pearl HS Varsity Basketball Results 1954-55
Submitted by Judy Hurdle
Basketball memories:
**From William M. (Bill) Thurmon:
“I attended Pearl High School in 1953-54 and 1954-55. I was a Sophomore and a starting guard on the Pearl High School team that in 54-55 went 17- 6. Our coach was George Lemons and he was a former graduate of Milton High School class that went to the Sweet 16 of the Illinois State Basketball Championship in the late 30’s or early 40’s.”
Boys Track & Field
One male athlete at Pearl High School brought home a medal from the Illinois High School State Track Meet. Henry Grubs claimed a 5th place finish in the mile run in 1950. This was done under the old one-class system. Great job Henry!
1949-50 Henry Grubs One Mile Run 5th Place
Seeking Further Information….
…about the many successes accomplished at Pearl high School. The great teams and individual efforts of those who attended PHS should forever be remembered. If you would like to share information with us, especially a photo of the old high school building, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. or write to us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631
Pearl HS Baseball 1954-55
Submitted by Judy Hurdle
Back Row L to R Dale Akers, Harold Scott, Jerry Miller, Robert Heavner,
Terry Edwards, Virgil Carter, Coach George Lemons
Front Row L to R Kenny Donohoo, Ronnie Turner, Lyndle Scott, Benny
Todaro, Richard Turner, Leroy Ashburn, Bill Thurmon
Pearl HS Second Team of 1953-54
Submitted by Judy Hurdle
Second Team Front Row L to R
Harold Scott, Leroy Ashburn, Larry Hauger, Donald Patton, Paul Dean Crater, Kenny Donohoo
Back Row
Coach George Lemons, Paul Shanks, William Greenstreet, Dean Booth, Manager Jerry Miller
Pearl HS Basketball Second Team 1954-55
Submitted by Judy Hurdle
Second Team Members Pictured Above
Back Row L to R Dake Akers, Jay Atherton, Warren Wheeler, Billy Joe
Johnessee, Jimmy Lemons, Coach George Lemons
Front Row L to R Jerry Miller, Leroy Ashburn, Terry Edwards, Charles
Fisher, Virgil Carter, Harold Scott, William Greenstreet, Kenny Donohoo
