The Original (Thomson ) York Community HS Building
Courtesy of Cletis Underwood
Thomson York Community HS 1950s – 2005
Submitted by Cody Cutter
Gymnasium
York Comm. High School
The History of Thomson High School
Thomson (population 559) is located in far northwestern Illinois in southwestern Carroll County. The town was settled on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River about 25 miles northwest of Sterling and Rock Falls. Illinois ROute 84 is the main roadway leading to and from Thomson. The At & St Railroad runs parallel to Route 84 and also travels through Thomson. More information on the town of Thomson can be found on the village’s website at www.thomsonil.com.
Located in York Township, Thomson was called York in its beginning. It is quite probable that York was established in the mid-1800s with a small school established shortly after. A high school was in place for the students of York by the late 1800s. York Community-Thomson High School was a successful and thriving school district for over 100 years.
Two school buildings served the communty. The first one was located on the east side of the town’s main drag, built around 1920. It served the community until a newer building was built in the 1950s almost across the street from the old school. The former building has since been torn down, although the gymnasium still remains and is believed to be in private capacity.
One building housed grades kindergarten through 12th grade. The late 1990s and early 2000s brought with them financial concerns, due to the closing of the Savanna Army Depot and the financial concerns surrounding the new correctional center (which is still not open), and dwindling enrollment. It was in the year 2005 that plans were finalized for a consolidation effort between the western Carroll County high schools in the towns of Thomson, Mt. Carroll and Savanna. This effort resulted in the creation of the West Carroll School District.
The high school for the West Carroll School District is located in Savanna. The Thomson School served as home to West Carroll Intermediate School and the West Carroll School District office for a few years. However the school building is no longer used as a school.
York-Thomson High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: 2005
Consolidated to: West Carroll School District (Savanna)
Thomson HS team nickname: the “Trojans”
THS team colors: Purple & Gold
School Fight Song: “We’re Loyal To You, Thomson High”
Words Taken from the 1958 Yearbook, THE SANDBURR
Courtesy of CLETIS UNDERWOOD (Faculty from 1954-59)
We’re loyal to you, Thomson High.
We’re Purple and Gold, Thomson HIgh.
We’ll back you to stand ‘gainst the best in the land
For we know you have said, Thomson High.
RAH! RAH!!
So crack out that ball, Thomson High.
We’re becking you all, Thomson High.
Our team is our fame protector
On boys, for we expect a victory from you, Thomson High!
Bring out that dear old flag of purple and gold,
Lean on your sons and daughters fighting so bold,
Like men of old and giants,
Facing reliance, shouting defiance, Oskewawa!
Amid the broad green plains that nourish our lands,
For honest labor and for learning we stand,
And onto thee we pledge our heart and hand
Dear alma mater, Thomson High!!
Shades of purple and gold still don the school
L to R: high school office, south hallway, events sign
Thomson gymnasium ticket booth
Athletics
The Thomson High School Trojans and Lady Trojans had some real nice seasons during their lifespans. We are certain, in researching the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), that boys basketball and softball were offered at the school. It is probable that other sports such as baseball, track, volleyball, and possibly even football were offered at the school. We are searching for the school fight song, coach’s names, and team records of the better teams in THS history.
Boys Basketball
The Trojans of Thomson High School were the talk of the state in 1972. In the first season of the two class basketball system in Illinois, “tiny” Thomson High School defied the odds and placed fourth in the IHSA’s inaugural Class A State Tourney. Coach Stan McCrudden led the Trojans that year to a 27 – 6 record. In addition Thomson High won three District titles prior to their incredible season in 1972. It is noted that Devin Ehrich was one of the leaders of the Thomson Basketball team prior to its closing, having participated in the IHSA’s three-point competetion in 2004.
1921-22 Moline District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Hillsdale 20-14
2nd Rd Scores Needed
Moline Beat Annawan in title game
1922-23 through 1931-32 Need coaches names, records, and postseason scores.
1932-33 Savanna District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat East Dubuque 32-15
2nd Rd Beat Chadwick 17-15
Semi-Final lost to Hanover 30-18
Savanna beat Hanover in title game
1933-34 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1934-35 Morrison District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Milledgeville 35-15
Morrison beat Fulton in title game
1935-36 Savanna Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
(Thomson did not compete in District Tourney)
1st Rd lost to Fulton 61-8
Fulton beat Hanover in title game
1936-37 Elizabeth District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Pearl City 43-17
Semi-Final lost to East Dubuque 37-33
Warren beat East Dubuque in title game
1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1938-39 Savanna Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
(Thomson did not compete in District Tourney)
1st Rd lost Morrison 32-25
Fulton beat Savannah in title game
1939-40 Shannon Dist. Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed
Early Rd Scores Needed
Title Game lost to Chadwick 34-24
1940-41 Elizabeth District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Lyndon 43-28
Semi-Final lost to Chadwick 32-27
Shannon beat Chadwick in title game
1941-42 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1942-43 Shannon District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Shannon 60-16
Hanover beat Shannon in title game
1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1944-45 Shannon District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Shannon 48-19
Shannon beat Chadwick in title game
1945-46 Shannon District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Shannon 39-38
Shannon beat Chadwick in title game
1946-47 Shannon District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Pearl City 54-52 (O/T)
Shannon beat Pearl City in title game
1947-48 Shannon District Champs Coach’s name & record needed
Semi-Final Beat Pearl City 56-42
Title Game Beat Shannon 38-36
Mt. Carroll Regional Runner-Up
1st Rd Beat Lanark 49-48
Semi-Final Beat Fulton 47-43
Title Game lost to Morrison 46-31
1948-49 Pearl City Dist. Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed
Semi-Final Beat Peral City 54-39
Title Game lost to Shannon 59-36
1949-50 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1950-51 Thomson District Champ Coach’s name & record needed
Semi-Final Beat Lyndon 55-44
Title Game Beat Shannon 51-47
Fulton Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Lanark 63-46
LANARK (63): D. Miller 23, Daws 13, Derrer 8, R. Miller 7, Sturtevant 6, Lotz 4, Gouker 2.
THOMSON (46): J. Murray 18, Sikkema 9, Houzenga 7, Halfman 5, Prins 4, D. Murray 3.
Morrison beat Milledgeville in title game
1951-52 Pearl City District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Pearl City 52-51
Pearl City Beat Shannon in title game
1952-53 Thomson District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
Super-Sectional Champions
Thomson 84, Farmington East 73
Quarter-Final Winner
Thomson 72, Streator Woodland 56
Final Four Finalist
Mounds Meridian 81, Thomson 74
(Mounds Meridian lost in title game)
3rd Place Game
Raymond Lincolnwood 90, Thomson 69
The 1971-72 Thomson team holds the Illinois High School state record for most points scored in a season with 3,006! Senior Don Robinson was the State Tournament’s leading scorer with 123 points in four games with games of 30-29-28-36, and was named to the All-Tournament team. Mike Hill contributed 46 points and 44 rebounds in the four games. During the season Robinson averaged averaging 27 p.p.g. while his teammates Ron Hebler and “Leaping” Mike Hill averaged near 20 ppg.
After attending college, Robinson became the head girl’s basketball coach at Prophetstown High School where he won his 500th game in 2006-07.
1972-73 Fulton Regional Tourney Coach Stan McCrudden
1st Rd lost to Savanna 78-72
Fulton beat Chadwick in title game
1973-74 Morrison Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Mt. Carroll 73-69
Semi-Final lost to Morrison 84-57
Fulton beat Morrison in title game
1974-75 Fulton Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Mt. Carroll 41-34
Semi-Final lost to Fulton 64-57
Fulton beat Morrison in title game
1975-76 Morrison Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Morrison 62-54
Morrison beat Milledgeville in title game
1976-77 Fulton Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Morrison 97-61
Morrison beat Mt. Carroll in title game
1977-78 Morrison Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Fulton 72-41
Morrison beat Mt. Carroll in title game
1978-79 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1979-80 Fulton Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Fulton 70-49
Fulton beat Chadwick in title game
1980-81 Morrison Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Sterling Newman 69-52
Chadwick beat Morrison in title game
1981-82 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1982-83 Fulton Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Fulton 71-54
Morrison beat Fulton in title game
1983-84 Morrison Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Fulton 49-46
Fulton beat Morrison in title game
1984-85 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1985-86 Savanna Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Morrison 81-73
Sterling Newman beat Chadwick in title game
1986-87 Sterling Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Morrison 87-66
Morrison beat Sterling Newman in title game
1987-88Milledgeville Reg. Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Sterling Newman 68-63
Semi-Final Beat Morrison 83-75
Title game lost to Chadwick 62-53
1988-89 Fulton Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Sterling Newman 63-40
Morrison beat Newman in title game
1989-90 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1990-91 Sterling Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Prophetstown 52-44
Fulton beat Prophetstown in title game
1991-92 Milledgeville Reg. Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Prophetstown 76-65
Morrison beat Sterling Newman in title game
1992-93 Prophetstown Reg. Tourney Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Sterling Newman 78-73
Morrison beat Prophetstown in title game
1993-94 Fulton Regional Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Prophetstown 59-37
Semi-Final Beat Milledgeville 64-59
Title Game lost to Morrison 77-60
1994-95 through 2004-05 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.
Girls Softball
There must be some great softball programs in Thomson. The Thomson High School girls softball program faired extremely well in the 1990s and early 2000s. The team of 1993-94 made it all the way to the Elite 8 before falling to Vienna. A Sweet 16 appearance as a “coop” team followed in 2001-02. If you have any further information on the Thomson HS girls softball program and subsequent success please write to us.
The Illinois Theatre Festival is the largest, non-competetive high school theatre festival in the world. It was organized in 1976 by teachers from the Chicago suburbs. This festival is still going strong as they perform at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and Illinois State University every other January. Thomson High school participated in this festival in 1976.
Need Your Help
If you have any further information regarding Thomson High School, especially photos of the old school building, and of teams, or coaches, please complete a School Submission Form or Guest Commentary Form. You can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or contact us via postal mail at:
