The History of Seaton High School Seaton is located in the southwest portion of Mercer County in upper western Illinois. This town with its population of 242 is located near Snake River, 7.5 miles east of the Mississippi River at the intersection of county roads 20th Avenue and 150th Street. Further information regarding Seaton has been provided below by Tim Jarman: Seaton Elementary School History by Tim Jarman
The village of Seaton, Illinois was founded on June 28, 1883 and was incorporated on August 10, 1907. The Seaton Elementary School and the Seaton High School were located on Hickory Street in the southwest corner of Seaton, Abington Township, Mercer County, Illinois. The original Seaton School House was a two-story wooden building. Before 1891 children in Seaton attended the McClure School, located southwest of Seaton near the McClure Cemetery. This school was moved into Seaton, where additions were made providing the school with six rooms. The first term was opened in October of 1891. In 1928, this wooden school house was replaced with a two-story (with a basement) brick building at a cost of $60,000. Students moved into this building shortly after Christmas of 1928. Traverse Rock Wright began teaching at the Seaton Elementary School on Monday, September 19, 1892. Eventually, he became the principal of the Seaton Elementary School. In 1898, Ralph Bolton came to Seaton as principal of the school and brought with him the idea of a high school in the town. Previously it had not been called high school. The lower grades were taught in the first floor rooms and advanced subjects for college preparation were taught on the second floor. This writer believes that Ralph Bolton replaced Traverse Rock Wright as principal of the Seaton Elementary School. In 1898, Traverse went into business with Thomas D. Gayler and opened the Gayler & Wright grocery store in the town of Seaton. Apparently, prior to 1920, the Seaton Elementary School and Seaton High School formed the Seaton Community Consolidated School District Number 115. This School was a combination of grades one through twelve. In 1920, the Oak Knoll School – District Number 110, and the Walnut Grove School – District Number 114, consolidated with the Seaton Elementary / High School, to form the Seaton Community Consolidated District Number 115. This school district was dissolved in 1922 and the original districts were reestablished. Also, apparently grades’ one through eight of the Seaton Elementary School went back to School District Number 115 and grades’ nine through twelve were formed to create School District number 126. In the early 1920’s, the Scaly Point School, consolidated with the Seaton Elementary School. The Scaly Point was located two miles Southeast of Seaton in Ohio Grove Township. Scaly Point was School District number 108 and consisted of grades one through eight. At some point after 1951 (in the start of the 1952 school year), the Seaton Elementary School became an attendance center for elementary students through the 6th grade. Later the elementary students were split between Seaton, grades three through six and Sunbeam, a new redwood school for students first through third grades. When kindergarten was added to the curriculum, the sixth grade was sent into Aledo. Before it closed in 1982 the Seaton Elementary School had six grades K-6. All students now attend various Aledo schools. According to some local residents, the brick building that housed the Seaton Elementary School / High School was torn down in 1985. As of May 24, 2008, the only things that remain on the site of the Seaton Elementary School / Seaton High School are the sidewalks that were in front of the school and the baseball field behind the school.”
Seaton High School History By Tim Jarman The Seaton Community High School was established after 1920 as School District Number 126 with grades nine through twelve. Prior to 1920, the Seaton High School, appears to have been part of School District 115. This school was a combination of grades one through twelve. In 1920, the Seaton Elementary School and Seaton High School were apparently consolidated to form the Seaton Community Consolidated School District Number 115. This School District was dissolved in 1922 and the original districts were reestablished. Grades one through eight stayed as School District number 115 and grades’ nine through twelve went back to School District number 126. The original Seaton School House was a two-story wooden building. Before 1891 children in Seaton attended the McClure School, located southwest of Seaton near the McClure Cemetery. This School was moved into Seaton, where additions were made providing the school with six rooms. The first term was opened in October of 1891. In 1928, this wooden school house was replaced with a two-story, and basement, brick building at a cost of $60,000. Students moved into this building shortly after Christmas of 1928. Traverse Rock Wright began teaching at the Seaton Elementary School on Monday, September 19, 1892. Eventually, he became the principal of the Seaton Elementary School. In 1898, Ralph Bolton came to Seaton as principal of the school and brought with him the idea of a high school in the town. Previously it had not been called high school. The lower grades were taught in the first floor rooms and advanced subjects for college preparation were taught on the second floor. This author believes that Ralph Bolton replaced, Traverse Rock Wright as principal of the Seaton Elementary School. In 1898, Traverse went into business with Thomas D. Gayler and opened the Gayler & Wright grocery store in the town of Seaton.
The first graduating class of the Seaton High School was the class of 1899. The Seaton High School had a yearbook called the “Arch.” In this yearbook, only the senior class members rated individual pictures. Each of the other high school classes were shown in a full class group picture. The nickname for the Seaton High School was the “Wolves.” The Seaton High School class of 1951 was the last class of the Seaton High School. In the years of existence, the Seaton High School had 379 graduates. At an election on Saturday, April 21, 1951, 293 voters of the Seaton School District number 126 cast their votes on the proposal to annex Community District Number 126 to Community Unit District Number 201, commonly called Aledo High School. The proposition was favored by 167 voters, with 116 voting no. In the unit precincts the proposition was approved by a vote of 113 to 19. Administration Offices for School District number 201 are located in Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, the county seat. The High School students from Seaton and surrounding communities are now transported to the Aledo High School in Aledo, Illinois. In 1954, the current Aledo High School was built at a cost of $850,000 in Aledo, Mercer Co., Illinois.5 This School opened on September 18, 1954. Prior to opening of the new high school in 1954, the old Aledo High School was a two-story building next to the main shopping area in downtown Aledo. The junior high School was in the same building. At some point around 1951, the Seaton Elementary School became an attendance center for elementary students through the 6th grade. Later the elementary students were split between Seaton, grades three through six and Sunbeam, a new redwood school for students first through third grades. When kindergarten was added to the curriculum, the sixth grade was sent into Aledo. Before it closed in 1982 the Seaton Elementary School had six grades k-6. All students now attend various Aledo schools. According to some local residents, the brick building that housed the Seaton Elementary School / High School was torn down in 1985. As of May 24, 2008, the only things that remain on the site of the Seaton Elementary School / Seaton High School are the sidewalks that were in front of the school and the baseball field that was behind the school.” The students of Seaton now attend school as part of the Aledo School system. (A special thank you is owed to Terry Tracy for this correction at an earlier time.) When viewing the photo above, the school building would have sat in the foreground and a little to the left. Seaton High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1898 Year closed: 1951 Consolidated to: Aledo High School School nickname: the “Wolves” School colors: Purple & Gold School Fight Song: “Cheers, Cheers for Old Seaton High” University of Notre Dame Fight Song Tune Athletics Limited information was available regarding the athletic program at Seaton High School. The Wolves’ boys basketball team won one District Title and a boy by the name of F. Carlson brought home two medals from the State Track Meet. More information is being sought regarding the athletic successes gained at Seaton High School. If you have this information and would like to share it please contact us. The IHSA accomplishments of Seaton HS are listed below. Boys Basketball The Wolves’ team of 1942-43 won a District Championship, the only one in the school’s storied history. Scores of other Seaton High School post season contests were located on the web site titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores” and are subsequently listed below. If you have season records, coaches names, and photos of the Seaton HS Wolves basketball teams please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net
1933-34 Roseville District Tournament 1st Rd. Beat Biggsville 18-14 2nd Rd. Lost to Avon 31-30 Avon lost in semi-final round. 1934-35 Roseville District Tournament 1st Rd. Seaton forfeited to Stronghurst 1935-36 Reynolds District Tournament 1st Rd. Lost to Keithsburg 49-17 1937-1942 Scores for Seaton HS unavailable 1942-43 District Champions District Tourney scores unavailable Aledo Regional Tournament 1st Rd. Beat Little York 35-14 2nd Rd. Lost to Alpha (score unavailable) Avon lost to Aledo in title game. 1944-1948 Scores for Seaton HS unavailable 1948-49 New Boston District Tournament 1st Rd. Lost to Viola 54-26 Viola lost in semi-final. 1949-50 New Windsor District Tournament 1st Rd. Lost to Viola 44-23 Viola lost to New Boston in title game. 1950-51 New Boston District Tournament 1st Rd. Lost to Keithsburg 54-46 Last basketball game in Seaton High School history. Keithsburg lost in semi-final. Boy’s Track & Field 1927-28 F. Carlson 880 Yard Run 3rd Place 1928-29 F. Carlson 880 Yard Run 5th Place MEMORIES From M. Constance: “Thanks for the Seaton, Il school reminders! Lived there until 1960. You will find more information, photos, etc from article in The Times Record, Aledo, Il dated May 15, 1985 (Section 3?). Originally written by my aunt, Violet Duncan (Beckham), class of 1920 and contributor to her families paper the Seaton Independent. The final Seaton school reunion was on June 13, 2009 in Aledo, IL.” We Are Seeking Further Information… …regarding the origin of the town of Seaton, its high school, and their accomplishments. If you have this information and would like to share it please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form. You can also contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. We are especially interested in a photo of the school building. You may also write us at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631
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