Simpson (population 54) is located in the far southern portion of Illinois in the east-central portion of Johnson County. The main road leading to and from Simpson is Illinois Route 147. Simpson is located on Route 147 about seven miles east of Interstate Highway 24. A town of note near Simpson might be Carbondale, about 30 miles to the northwest (as the crow flies, of course). Cedar Creek flows through Simpson as well.
Simpson was established in 1888 along the St. Louis, Alton, & Terre Haute Railroad line. It is named after J.M. Simpson who donated the farm land on which the town was begun.
Simpson likely began school operations for its children shortly after its beginning. , Highschool courses were likely begun in the late 1800s or early 1899s. We know that by 1920 Simpson had a 3-year high school. It is quite possible that it was the middle 1940s, when the state-wide consolidation effort took place, that the high school in Simpson was deactivated. We do know that at some point the kids of Simpson began attending high school with their neighbors seven miles to the southwest, Vienna.
The history and fate of Simpson High School are in need of research. Very little is available on the internet. We are hopeful that a local resident or history buff can help us with the details.
Simpson High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s
Year closed: 1940s (1945?)
Consolidated to: Vienna High School
School nickname: unavailable
School colors: unavailable
School Fight Song: unavailable
Athletics
It is a fact that Simpson High School competed in the sport of boys basketball. It is quite possible that track and baseball were offered as well. We know of the school’s participation in basketball because of its mention on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). As you can see in the “Quick Facts” area, we are in need of a lot of information on the school’s athletic, as well as overall, history.
Boys Basketball
The boys basketball team at Simpson High School had three seasons in which they were the “king” of the small schools in their area. District Championship trophies were won in 1929, 1931, and 1940. Unfortunately team records and coaches names are not available.
1928-29 IHSA District ChampionsCoach Clyde Stewart (record needed).
District Scores Needed
Harrisburg Sectional Tourney
Lost to Pinckneyville 42 – 18
1930-31 IHSA District ChampionsCoach Loren Anderson (record needed).
IHSA Sweet 16 Finalists
District Scores Needed
Carbondale Sectional Tournament Results
Beat Pinckneyville 19 – 17
Beat Murphysboro 12 – 10 (O/T)
Lost Sectional Championship (Sweet 16)
14 – 12 in O/T to Johnson City who would
go on to finish in 4th place.
(See Below)
Simpson HS Basketball Newspaper Article 1931
1931-32 Metropolis District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Buncombe 31-17
Metropolis beat Vienna in title game
1932-33 Metropolis District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Rosiclare 31-30
Joppa beat Cave-In-Rock in title game
1933-34 Metropolis District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Buncombe 23-22
Rosiclare beat Metropolis in title game
1934-35 Postseason scores, record, & coach’s name needed.
1935-36 Brookport District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Brookport 43-34
Joppa beat Rosiclare in title game
1936-37 Postseason scores, record, & coach’s name needed.
1937-38 Postseason scores, record, & coach’s name needed.
1938-39 Metropolis Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
District Scores Not Available
Metropolis Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Metropolis 64-33
Metropolis beat Rosiclare in title game
1939-40 Creal Springs District Champions Coach’s name & record needed
Early Rd Scores Needed
Title Game Beat Creal Springs 43-28
Metropolis Regional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Golconda 71-30
Semi-Final lost to Brookport 39-32
Metropolis beat Brookport in title game
1940-41 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1941-42Creal Springs District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed
Jim Jones provided us with this tidbit of information regarding the Simpson High School boys of 1930-31, who set a record that will never be broken:
“I have this great piece of information for you concerning Simpson High School, taken from page 39 (the 1931 tournament) of _100 Years of Madness: The Illinois High School Association Boys’ Basketball Tournament (an excellent book if you don’t know about it – I got a copy from the IHSA store):
“Johnston City rallied past Benton in the sectional semifinals at Carbondale and then beat Simpson in overtime in the finals. With an enrollment of just 25 students, Simpson was the smallest school EVER to make the final 16 of the state tournament.”
Truly incredible to think that Simpson almost made the “Elite Eight” with just 25 kids! Johnston City would finish 4th that year.”
We Need Your Help…..
…in making the memories and hard work of those who made Simpson High School a success never be forgotten. ANY information you may have about Simpson or its former high school is being sought. You can e-mail photos and information to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:
