Rardin High School

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Rardin High School Gym Late 1940s
A group of people standing outside a building Description automatically generated with medium confidence
Submitted by Faith A. Cazares

The History of Rardin High School

Rardin (population approximately 150) is located in eastern Illinois in the northeast portion of Coles County.  Charleston is about 8 miles to the southwest of Rardin. County Highway 2 is the main roadway to and from Rardin, located just south of County Road 1600 N.  The Eastern Railroad passes at an angle just northwest of town.  The map on MapQuest shows the town as being about four blocks wide and three blocks from north to south.

The history of the town and its former high school are in need of research.  We were alerted to the fact that Rardin had a school with high school curriculum by an article found in the Journal Gazette / Times Courier of Mattoon and Charleston http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/1998/04/08/news/news-76247.txt.

The article talks of a consolidation effort in Coles County that took place in 1948.  At that time several Coles County School Districts were consolidated into one county-wide school district.  The article goes on to say that of these school districts, three were schools that included high school classes.  One of these was Rardin.

Our guess is that Rardin High School was likely established in the late 1800s, possibly not until the early 1900s.  Rardin my have never been more than a three-year high school, quite common in its day.  However it very well may have been a four-year high school, we are in need of someone from the area to clarify this information for us.  We do know that Rardin High School closed in 1948.

The fate of the Rardin High School building is being sought, as well as are photos and information.

Regarding the photo of the Rardin gymnasium at the top of this page, the following is from Faith Cazares:

“This is a photo of the Rardin High School gym. My grandfather, John M. Hite, had been wounded in WWII and the town threw a welcome home party. The photo was taken in approximately 1944.”

Rardin High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                            late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed:                             1948

Consolidated to:                        Charleston High School

Rardin HS team nickname:         unavailable

Rardin HS team colors:              unavailable

School Fight Song:                    unavailable
Athletics and Extra-Curriculars

Rardin High School likely competed in athletics and other extra-curricular activities.  It is probable that basketball, baseball, and track were all offered at one time.  Unfortunately there is no mention of any sport at Rardin High School on the IHSA website www.ihsa.org.   We are hopeful an area alum or resident can provide some of this information for us.

Activities such as plays, chorus, band, FFA, FHA, and any other activities are af great interest.  What was it that made the Rardin High School experience a great one?  Drop us a line and let us know so we can share it on this page.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Several scores involving the Rardin High School boys basketball team playing in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores.” These scores are copied and available below.

The Rardin High School boys basketball team won a District title in 1936!

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

1st Rd lost to Ashton 16-11

Mattoon beat Redmon in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Findlay 26-23 (O/T)

2nd Rd lost to Oakland 36-31

Mattoon beat Neoga in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Neoga 35-10

Charleston beat Mattoon in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Windsor 47-23

Neoga beat Suliivan in title game

1935-36                   Paris District Champions                  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Hindsboro 22-20

                                Semi-Final Beat Chrisman

                                Title Game Beat Hume 17-16

                                Paris Regional Tournament

                                1st Rd Beat Marshall (Forfeit)

                                Semi-Final lost to Paris

Paris beat Brocton in title game

Mattoon Journal Gazette Newspaper Article
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March 02, 1936

1936-37                   Arcola District Tournament                  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Atwood 32-30

Semi-Final lost to Lovington 27-21

Lovington beat Arcola in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Brocton 51-24

Brocton beat Ashmore in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Brocton 32-20

Brocton beat Lerna in title game

1939-40    Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Ashmore 31-22

Kansas beat Westfield in title game

1941-42    Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1st Rd Beat Hindsboro 21-19

2nd Rd lost to Oakland 39-15

Kansas beat Brocton in title game

1943-44    Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Oakland 50-45

Newman beat Oakland in title game

1945-46    Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1946-47    Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

**1st Rd lost to Ashmore 56-33

Redmon beat Hindsboro in title game

**Final varsity boys basketball game for Rardin High School.

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Seeking Your Assistance

If you have any information regarding Rardin and its former high school please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form.  You can e-mail items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . As you can see, we are missing a lot of vital information in our attempts to keep the memories of Rardin High alive.  You may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.    60631


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