Shobonier High School

Shobonier High School Textbook Stamp
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Submitted by Jacob Riedle

The History of Shobonier High School

Shobonier (population approximately 400) is located in southwestern Illinois in the southwestern portion of Fayette County. U.S. Route 51 serves as the eastern border of Shobonier. County Road 23 passes by the south side of town. Shobonier is located about 7 miles due south of Vandalia.

Shobonier was platted in 1855 along the Illinois Central Railroad. A nice historical newspaper article about Shobonier was submitted by Mary Jo Freeman. The article is titled “Many Changes in Shobonier Since 1844.” It was published on June 03, 2008 by Better Newspapers. In summary the article states the area in which the village of Shobonier is located was first settled in 1844. The village is said to be named after Francois Sho-bon-ier, a member of a Chicago Potawatomie Indian family. Shobonier had a population of 275. By 1911 this population had grown to 400.

The first school was established in approximately 1870. The first brick school building was constructed in 1893 and housed grades 1-8. In 1926 the school district purchased a building that once housed the post office and utilized it for a 2-year high school. In 1929 a 3-year high school course was established. In 1942 the decision was made to discontinue the 3-year high school in favor of busing children to nearby Vandalia for a 4-year high school course of study. 

To read the article in full please click on the following link:  https://www.leaderunion.com/2008/06/03/many-changes-in-shobonier-since-1844/

The fact that Shobonier once hosted a school that offered high school classes was discovered by Roberta VanBriesen. Roberta found a PodCast in which a gentleman spoke of the former high school Districts of Fayette County. Among were the following:   Bingham, Brownstown, FarinaLa Clede, Ramsey, Shobonier, St. Elmo, St. James, and Vandalia. The underlined schools are now closed and have a page on this site.

Shobonier High School Quick Facts

Year 2-Year HS opened:           1926

Year 3-Year HS started:            1929

Year HS courses closed:           1942

Consolidated to:                       Vandalia High School

Shobonier HS team nickname:  ??

Shobonier HS team colors:       ??

Shobonier HS Fight Song:         ??

ATHLETICS

The Shobonier boys definitely competed in basketball. They ventured into the IHSA District Tournaments in the late 1930s. 

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BOYS BASKETBALL

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

1st Rd lost to Donnellson 49-10

Pocahontas beat Panama in title game.

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

1st Rd lost to St. James 40-18

Panama beat Pocahontas in title game.

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

1sr Rd Beat Alma 19-13

2nd Rd lost to St. James 43-13

Kinmundy beat St. James in title game.

**These are the only scores listed on the website titled “Illinois High School Postseason Basketball Scores.”

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

It is likely that dances, clubs, student government, choir, band, and plays were all a part of the Shobonier High School curriculum. 

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Need Your Assistance

The Shobonier High School legacy should not be forgotten. Athletics and other extra-curricular activities at SHS should be remembered and shared with others. You can e-mail these items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il.    60631

 

 

Shobonier Grade School Students 1911 – Submitted by Tom Dunaway
Rear of Shobonier School Photo/Postcard of 1911 – Submitted by Tom Dunaway

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