West Point High School

West Point High School Building 1947

Submitted by Philip Spratt

West Point High School Diploma 1900

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Grandfather of Charles Hanson

West Point Grade School Building – 2012

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Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

The History of West Point High School

West Point (population 195) is located in western Illinois in the south central portion of Hancock County. West Point is about 16 miles south and a little west of the county seat Carthage and about 30 miles northeast of Quincy. The main roadways to and from West Point are County Highway 23 and County Highway 30. Illinois Route 94 / 110 travels by the village about 3 miles to the east. According to Mapquest (www.mapquest.com) West Point is about 8 blocks from east to west and 6 blocks from north to south.

According to the web address of http://www.carthage.lib.il.us/community/clubs/historical/hancockhistory/index.html

West Point was platted in March of 1856. The web address of http://books.google.com/books?id=ZvHgwa-XImcC&pg=PA393&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false

tells us the following regarding West Point’s history:

West Point Masonic Hall 2012

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Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

The town was officially registered in 1893. A post office was established in 1858. It was first known as Pumpkinville and then Wigletown. The name ‘Wigletown’ was chosen to honor one of the town’s early settlers, David Wigle. The name was officially changed to West Point in 1856 by Mr. Wigle’s wife who did not like the name Wigletown. The name West Point was chosen to honor Mr. and Mrs. Wigle’s former hometown of West Point, N.Y.

Local historian Keith Bruns provided us with the following information on West Point High School:

“The West Point High School was started in 1916. The building burned in the winter of 1919 – 1920. Classes were held in various town buildings until a new building was built in 1925. In 1947 grades 9, 10, & 11 were discontinued since West Point High School had become a part of the Bowen Community High School. In 1949 all of the West Point School District 225 became part of the Bowen – West Point Community Unit 320.”

We welcome any further information on the history of West Point and its former school system. We are very grateful to Keith Bruns for his historical account of West Point High School.

One article was found that stated a “new” school building was built in West Point in 1885. The article stated the “high school” was located on the second floor. It is possible there were high school courses taught for a few years at that time prior to 1916.

West Point High School Quick Facts

Year High School Opened: 1885

Year new building opened: 1916

Year closed: 1947

Consolidated to: Bowen High School

Students now attend: Augusta Southeastern School District

West Point HS team nickname: ??

West Point HS team colors: ??

School Fight Song: ??

ATHLETICS

We are confident that West Point High School competed in sports with other schools in the area. Most of the nearby three-year high schools competed with other schools in the sports of basketball, baseball, and track. We are in need of this information as well as the West Point High School team mascot, uniform colors, fight song, coaches names, and season records.

BOYS BASKETBALL

We are certain the boys competed in basketball. More information is needed regarding season records and coaches’ names. The following basketball scores were located on a website called Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores.

1940-41 Fountain Green District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Burnside 63-4

Augusta beat Colusa in title game

1941-42 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1942-43 Fountain Green District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Colusa 52-21

Elvaston beat Plymouth in title game

1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1944-45 Fountain Green District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

**1st Rd lost to Bowen 41-19

Bowen beat Plymouth in title game

**Final boys basketball game listed on the Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores site.

TRACK AND FIELD

Research from Keith Bruns discovered the following information regarding West Point High School:

May 3, 1930

“Basco High School sponsored a track and field meet in which all five of the three year high schools of Hancock County were entered. The schools were Fountain Green, Ferris, Burnside, West Point, and Basco. West Point won first, Burnside was second, and Basco was third. The article lists the student that won each competition as well as the time or distance. A music and declamation contest was held the same day with the same schools competing. The results were the same as the track meet.”

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITES & STUDENT LIFE

There may have been many “extra-curricular” activities that were offered as part of the educational plan too. FFA, FHA, GAA, band, chorus, and many other events probably helped to make the West Point school a special one.

MEMORIES AND FACTS

**From Keith Bruns:

An article in the “Carthage Republican” newspaper of June 3, 1931 announced that 13 juniors would be leaving West Point High School. The eighth grade examination was first followed by the high school ceremony. The names of the seven pupils in the eighth grade and the thirteen juniors are listed in the article.

Do You Have Information to Share About West Point High School?

Several questions posted above remain unanswered. We would still like to hear about memories of the high school that were handed down to the generations afterward. If you have ANY information you wish to share regarding West Point High School please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631

West Point Grade School Class 1947