Stonefort High School

Stonefort School Gymnasium 2010

Submitted by James Horaz

Stonefort School Playground – 2010

Submitted by James Horaz

The History of Stonefort High School

Stonefort (population 292) is located in the far southern portion of of Illinois, in the eastern portion of Illinois’ tip.  The town is about 12 miles southwest of Harrisburg and 15 miles southeast of Marion.  Though Stonefort is considered to be a part of Saline County, it is almost equally divided from north to south by the Saline County / Williamson County line.  U.S. Route 45 is the main roadway to and from Stonefort.  The Illinois Central Railroad passes by town about one mile to the east.

An early history of the town of Stonefort can be found at the web address of http://www.carolyar.com/Illinois/SALINE/Saline217.htm . In summary, the original town of Stone Fort was platted in 1858.  It was established just to the southeast of where the current town now sits.  By 1872 the town had reached a population of 150.  The railroad did not pass the original town’s location however and folks soon moved to the current location of Stonefort, which at the time was named Bolton.  The residents of Stone Fort took with with them many of the structures, leaving the once thriving community nearly bare.

Since there was already a post office in Illinois named Bolton, the post office in this Bolton was named Stone Fort.  It is believed that because of this, and since most of the residents had relocated from Stone Fort, the town of Bolton took on the name of Stone Fort, and later, Stonefort.

We know that the original town of Stone Fort had a two-story brick school building that was left behind in 1872.  A school building was erected in the “new” Stonefort in 1873.  Stonefort residents provided quality educational opportunities for their children which included a 3-year high school curriculum. If children wanted to attend a 4th year of high school they were encouraged to do so at Carrier Mills. Louis Shaw provided the following historical information about Stonefort High School and the consolidation of Stonefort High School and Carrier Mills High School.

“Stonefort High School was a three-year school in 1941 with most but not all students going on to take the 4th year at Carrier Mills.  Stonefort High School closed sometime in the mid-1940s with the students going to CMHS. In 1963 a consolidation effort involved only CMHS and the two grade schools. There was no change in the actual schools then but only a legal change in the manner the districts were operated. I have been told that CMHS legally became Carrier Mills-Stonefort High School in 1963 but no one called it that until much later when Stonefort GS closed. I believe Stonefort HS shared the building with the grade school.  The Stonefort High School building was demolished a few years ago.  The yearbooks for 1940 and 1941 show pictures of sports teams but do not identify the mascot.  If anyone has more information or yearbooks for any other years they would be willing to let us copy, please contact Louis Shaw at the Carrier Mills-Stonefort Public Library.”

We are currently not certain if the town of Stonefort still hosts a grade school.  We are also curious if the high school building still stands in town.

Stonefort High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                              late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed:                               1945 (approximately)

Consolidated to:                       Carrier Mills – Stonefort School District

Stonefort HS team nickname:  unavailable

Stonefort HS team colors:        unavailable

School Fight Song:                   unavailable

ATHLETICS & EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES We are fairly certain that the boys of Stonefort High participated in interscholastic athletics.  It is probable that the boys played basketball, baseball, and track.  The coach’s names and team records are needed.  Also needed are the team colors, fight song, and team nickname. Other activities such as proms, dances, class plays, farmer’s institutes, and various clubs may have been a part of the Stonefort High School experience as well.  We are hopeful an area fan or alumni can help us with this information. —- Do YOU Have Any Further Information? If you have any information you would like to add to the Stonefort High School page please send it to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .  A photo of the high school building would be greatly appreciated.  You can also write to us via real mail at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il.   60631