Reynolds High School “Ramblers”

Reynolds High School Building – 1940

Courtesy of George Carpenter

Reynolds High School Building – 1890

Courtesy of George Carpenter

The History of Reynolds High School

Reynolds (population 508) is located in southern Rock Island County in northwestern Illinois.  Illinois Route 94 connects Reynolds to the county namesake, Rock Island, located 11 miles to the north of Reynolds. Mill Creek flows through the center of Reynolds.

A booklet was sent to us by Reynolds High School Class of 1951 graduate George Carpenter.  The title of the booklet is “Reynolds High School, Reynolds, Illinois, 1890 – 1957”.  The follwing history of Reynolds High School was written from information collected by Paul and Ardith Mongerson and is copied directly from page 1 of the booklet:

“Reynolds High School started in the fall of 1888 as a 2-year high school. The first four students graduated in the spring of 1890.  The smallest graduating class was 1 student in 1892 with one teacher.  The largest graduating class was 61 students in 1951 with 18 teachers.

In 1921, RHS became a 3-year school and in 1931, it became a 4-year high school.  In 1922 a Community High School District was organized and in 1940, ninety-one square miles of area were added for a total of 150 square miles in the Reynolds Community High School District. In the spring of 1957, the last senior class graduated from RHS.  In the fall of 1957, RHS moved into the new centrally located facility at Edgington and became Rockridge High School.

Memorabilia from Reynolds High School are on display in the hallway at Rockridge High School.  The Reynolds High School Alumni Banquet is held each year on the second Saturday in June.”

The photo below is of the current Reynolds Grade School for grades K – 6.

Reynolds High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                 1888

First grad. class:            1890

Two-Year HS:                 1888-1920

Three-Year HS:               1921-1931

Four-Year HS:                1932-1957

Smallest class to grad.:  1 student (1892)

Largest class to grad.:     61 (1951)

Last class to grad.:         1957 (49 students)

Year closed:                   1957

Total number of grad.:      1,312

Consolidated to:              Rockridge High School (Taylor Ridge)

School team nickname:   “Rockets”

School team colors:        Maroon & White

School Fight Song:          unavailable