The History of Loxa Lee Academy
Loxa (population approximately 100) is located in lower eastern Illinois in Coles County. The village is situated on County Road 1100E just north of Illinois Route 16. Loxa is located in the central portion of Coles County approximately 6 miles east of Mattoon and 5 miles west of Charleston. Loxa was established as Stockton in the early 1860s however, due to another town in Illinois already having that name, the town name was changed to Loxa within a few years. The name “Loxa” was derived either from the town of Loxahatchee, FL. or from the town of Loxa in Granada, Spain. (Place Names of Illinois by Edward Callary).
Loxa had a great educational system for a small village. Two grade schools (grades 1-8) were located on the out skirts of town through at least 1940s. They were appropriately named the North Loxa School and the South Loxa School based on their locations. Loxa also had several businesses in those early years. A great newspaper article regarding Loxa was located on newspapers.com and is available in its’ entirety at the end of this article. The article was written on October 09,1933 in the The Daily Journal-Gazette and Commercial-Star Newspaper of Mattoon.
The article, in summary, states the Lee Academy was created in 1871 by Professor T.J. Lee, a graduate of West Point Military Academy. Professor Lee began the Academy to “fill the void excellently” as a “step between the common school and college.” The article states “Mr. Lee, being a graduate of West Point, brought thoroughness and exactness to bear in his instruction.” It states the Academy was located “away from evil surroundings, prevalent in larger places.” The academy had an excellent music program. The main focus was to prepare students to become school teachers.
The Loxa Lee Academy had an enrollment of 63 students in the first year (1871). At its’ peak the school enlisted 111 students who were drawn to the Academy from all parts of the area. The Academy was known as “the pride of Coles County” in its hey-day. The Academy’s life was cut short however when Professor Lee died in 1888. The article states the Academy was passed on to Professor Lee’s brother who only survived 3 more years however likely did not keep the Academy open during that time. The Lee Academy building was still standing in 1933. A photo of the building in the Mattoon Newspaper article states it was a one-room building that later was used as a grist mill and blacksmith shop.
A newspaper article dated September 13, 1915 The Daily Journal-Gazette and Commercial-Star Newspaper of Mattoon stated that the citizens of Loxa were getting very serious about starting their own high school district. However, no subsequent articles were located to support a notion that a high school was ever established. The children of Loxa attend schools in nearby Charleston today.
A Google Street Maps view of Loxa depicts a very nice, small town with the Presbyterian Church still standing and in use. There are also some well kept business buildings, one of which includes a successful trucking business. The fate of the Loxa Lee Academy building is needed.
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Loxa Lee Academy Quick Facts
Year opened: 1871
Year closed: 1888
Colors & Mascot: Sports not offered.
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Activities at Lee Academy
The main focus of the Lee Academy was to prepare students to become school teachers. One of the articles located that 7 students of the Academy went on to become county superintendents of schools in Coles County with one becoming a county superintendent of Douglas County. Music was highlighted as a key part of the learning experience at Lee Academy.
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