The History of Waggoner High School Waggoner (population 245) is located in southwestern Illinois in the upper-western Panhandle of Montgomery County. Interstate Highway 55 runs just to the east of Waggoner however there are no exit ramps that lead you directly to the town. Waggoner Avenue is the County Road that is the main drag through Waggoner. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad runs north and south through Waggoner and a branch of the Horse Creek flows to the west of town. Waggoner was also a “Route 66” town in the “Glory Days” before Interstate Highways were constructed. Springfield is about 35 miles due north of Waggoner. The history of the town and its school are in need of research. We did find a photo (above) of the school on the Raymond Lincolnwood High School web site (http://www.panhandle.k12.il.us/CentralOffice/History.htm) . The web site shows that the Waggoner High School building was in use from 1921 to 1949. The high school was probably established a few (10 – 20) years earlier. It was in 1949 that Waggoner High School was deactivated. Upon their closure the Waggoner kids continued their education at nearby Farmersville High School. Gail (Leach) Kraus provided the following additional historical information regarding Waggoner High School. “The Waggoner High School building, now referred to as the Waggoner Centennial Building, is used for many functions including weddings, wedding receptions, family reunions holiday gatherings, funeral dinners, and, of course, the annual theater play. The Pitman township Park District Board is in charge of maintaining this building. The building has been utilized as a high school, grade school, and at one time, hosted the Panhandle School District preschool classes. Preschool classes were moved to the Farmersville School several years ago. The Waggoner school building currently does not host any classes. At first, Waggoner and Farmersville consolidated into their own school district. Later Farmersville/Waggoner consolidated with Raymond/Harvel School District to form the Panhandle School District #2. Over the years different classes have been moved around into various buildings within the district. The playground equipment at the Waggoner Centennial Building was placed in memory of Myron “Penny” Nail who was a resident of Waggoner for many years before passing away in 2004 at the age of 102. His granddaughter, Kate Capshaw, and her husband, Steven Spielberg, donated the playground equipment. The Waggoner High School uniform team colors were blue and white to coincide with the sports’ teams mascot, the Blue Jays.” It is definite that the Wagoner kids now attend school in Raymond. The students are part of the Panhandle School District which includes Lincolnwood High School in Raymond. We are assured by Waggoner’s former mayor, Karen Robinett, that the original school building and gymnasium are still standing. Today they are used as a community center and for everything from a pre-school to wedding receptions. A newer gym was built recently for the town’s use and a bike trail was built through Waggoner by the Department of Transportation. The town has done a great job of preserving their history and is looking forward to continued growth. Great job Waggoner! . Waggoner High School Quick Facts Year opened: Late 1800s / early 1900s Year HS building built: 1921 Year closed: 1949 Consolidated to: Farmersville High School School nickname: “Blue Jays” School colors: Blue & White School Fight Song: (Submitted by Gail Kraus) “SCHOOL SONG” Waggoner, oh Waggoner, We love your blue and white. We will fight for you tonight, For we know you’re in the right. Rah! Rah! Rah!
Waggoner, oh Waggoner, All honor to your name, Fairness and sportsmanship add to your fame. Ta-Hee, Ta-Haa, Ta-Haa-Haa-Haa. Waggoner High School, Rah! Rah! Rah! |
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middle row – Band Instructor Mansel, Bob “Butch” Woodall, Ruby Robinson, Mary Pitchford, Virginia Long, Willie Kendall, Mary Alice Stewart, Carol Arnold, Jerry Wood
front row – Howard Miller, Bob Baker, Bob Barbee, Wilma Jackson, Eloise Ebe, Marjorie Arnold, Mary Baker, Betty Taylor, Betty Lewis, Horace Waggoner (PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GAIL KRAUS)
front row – Harvey White, Alfred Seelbach, Aubrey Voden, Donald Taylor (SUBMITTED BY GAIL KRAUS)
front row – Joe Vignos, Bernie Miller, Bob Webb, Julius Smith, Glenn Pitchford, Jerry Wood, Russell McGown (SUBMITTED BY GAIL KRAUS)
kneeling – Dale Woodall, Charles Long, Tom Nimmo (SUBMITTED BY GAIL KRAUS)