The History of Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School Saybrook (population 764) and Arrowsmith (population 298) are located in eastern Illinois in the southeastern portion of McLean County. Both towns are located about 15 – 20 miles east (and a little south) of Bloomington. You can read about the histories of both of these towns and their individual school districts on their individual pages of this site. It is known that both towns supported their own high schools from about the late 1800’s through the early 1950’s. The towns agreed to consolidate their school districts in 1952. The new district was known as Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School. The high school was located in Saybrook and is pictured above. It is not know if the school building in Arrowsmith was used any time after the consolidation took place. The athletic teams kept the Saybrook Comanche name and school colors. For nearly four decades, the Saybrook-Arrowsmith Comanches served the two communities proudly. Declining enrollment and financial issues took their toll. In 1989 Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School closed her doors for good. The students became part of a new consolidation effort with Colfax Octavia High School (also on this site). This new district is known as Colfax Ridgeview High School and is still going strong today. Martha Heavilin advises the fate of the Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School building is a sad one. After the merger with Colfax Octavia, the majority of the S-AHS building was demolished a few years later. The gymnasium however is still standing, used as a garage for the township it is located in.
Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School Quick Facts Year created: 1952 Year closed: 1989 Gymnasium today: used a township garage School nickname: the “Comanches” School colors: Red & White School Fight Song: High School – University of Illinois Fight Song Tune (Grade School Fight Song Sung to University of Wisconsin Fight Song Tune) Athletics The Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School Comanches competed in many different sports and were successful in each. The boys competed in basketball, baseball, track, and football (1952-1968). The girls were offered the sports of volleyball, basketball, track, & possibly softball and golf. The Comanches competed in the Sangamon Valley Conference with many other small schools in their area.
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