Wasco High School

The History of Wasco High School

Wasco (population approximately 3,000) is located in the far western suburbs of the Chicago area.  The town sits in the center of Kane County about 4 miles northwest of downtown St. Charles.  Illinois Route 64 if the main roadway leading to and from Wasco. Mill Creek flows by the southwest side of Wasco.

A post office with the name of Wasco was established in 1886.  The town grew very slowly over the next 100 years or so.  It has recently begun to “boom” and is benifitted by its proximity to the Chicagoland area.  There is a nice forest preserve in town and it has maintained its small town charm.  The history of the town of Wasco is needed.

According to the St. Charles School District web address of http://www.d303.org/OurDistrict/DistrictProfile/tabid/69/Default.aspx , the town of Wasco offered a two-year high school at one time. In fact, this high school was in existence through the year 1950.  At that time the state of Illinois no longer supported two and three-year high schools.  The Wasco High School was subsequently closed.  Wasco children were then sent to nearby St. Charles to complete their high school education.

Wasco was featured in an Illinois schools journal in 1920. The following facts were made available for the publication:

No. of districts consolidated:          3

Square miles:                               18

Assessed valuation:                      $327,950

Cost of house:                              $9,000

Annual tax levy:                            $4,500

Tax rate:                                      1.09

Annual tax levy before:                  N/A

Teachers now:                              4

Teachers before:                           3

Enrollment now:                           75

Enrollment before:                        55

Enrollment in grades:                    56

Enrollment in high school:             11

Aid from vocational fund:               No

Public conveyance:                      No

Years of high school course:         2

Months in year:                           9

There is still an elementary school in Wasco.  If you have any further information on this town and its former high school please contact us via the means listed at the bottom of this page.  For some interesting reading and a few photos regarding Wasco please check out:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/chicago-suburbs/232587-wasco.html

Wasco High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                      late 19-teens/early 1920s?

Year closed:                       1950

Consolidated to:                  St. Charles High School

Wasco HS team nickname:  unavailable

Wasco HS team colors:       unavailable

School Fight Song:              unavailable

Athletics and Extra-Curriculars

We are fairly certain that the boys of Wasco High participated in interscholastic athletics.  It is probable that the boys played basketball, baseball, and track.  The coaches 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 Wasco 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 Wasco 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

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: