Illinois High School Glory Days

Bloomington St. Mary High School “Fighting Irish”

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Bloomington St. Mary High School

Courtesy of Don Raycraft’s “Living Legends” A Photographic History of McLean County Sports”

The History of Bloomington St. Mary High School

Bloomington (population 74,975) is located in the central part of the state of Illinois in McLean County, being a hub to much of the state. Interstates 39, 55, & 74 go around Bloomington and its’ adjoining neighbor, Normal, along with US Routes 51 and 150 and Illinois 9. The Chicago & Alton Railroad also has a line that runs thru Bloomington, and served as a significant employer during its heyday. Route 66 was also a part of the community while it was in operation, but it is not forgotten as you can still travel parts of the “Main Street of America” today.

The community was established in 1830, as early pioneers such as James Allin and Jesse Fell helped get it up and running. The county is named for John McLean, a pioneer lawyer, territorial judge, the first Representative in Congress from Illinois (1818), and United States Senator (1824–25), while Bloomington was given its name originally as Blooming Grove when settled around 1822, slightly changing the name to its current moniker when the county was formed in 1830.

Outside of Abraham Lincoln’s presence in the community, others such as David Davis (a former Supreme Court Justice), baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Charles “Hoss” Radbourn, naturalist John Wesley Powell, politican Adlai Stevenson I and his son Adlai II, and actor McLean Stevenson (a cousin to Adlai II) are well-known figures who lived in Bloomington at one time. Nineteenth Century opera singer Marie Litta (aka Jenny Lind) also hailed from Bloomington as well.

Bloomington is home to Illinois Wesleyan University, which opened in 1850, and the nation’s number one auto and property/casualty insurance companies, State Farm Insurance. The state’s oldest public university, Illinois State University (founded in 1857) is also nearby in Normal, along with Mitsubishi Motors North America.

Education began to be offered in Bloomington in the 1840’s and private/parochial schools followed suit with a boys’ school in 1858 and St. Joseph Academy for girls in 1863. St. Mary’s School was opened as a grade school in 1884 by Rev. Michael Weldon, adding high school classes at a later date. The first graduates of St. Mary’s came in 1898, which became a tradition every year thru 1928 when a new building was opened across the street from St. Mary’s and changed its name to Trinity in honor of the name of the Catholic Church located near the former St. Mary’s. The new building was also a welcome site for the Holy Trinity family, since the St. Mary building was cramped by holding twelve grades.

The name was changed again to Central Catholic in 1967 when the Catholic Diocese of Peoria requested that Epiphany Parish of Normal and St. Patrick’s Parish of Merna join Trinity, St. Mary’s, and Historical St. Patrick’s parishes in Bloomington in governing and subsidizing Catholic high school education in Bloomington-Normal.

The old St. Mary’s building was renovated after the high school students moved into their new building, serving as a grade school for a number of years. The fate of the building is an unfortunate one, having been demolished in 1969 and its land today is used as a parking lot for Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

FACTS ABOUT BLOOMINGTON ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL

Year opened as St. Mary’s: 1884

Name changed to Trinity: 1928

School colors: Blue & White

School nickname: Fighting Irish

Name of yearbook: the “Trinitas”

School songs: Alma Mater

(written by Fay McClelland, class of 1927)

Saint Mary’s, Alma Mater, fair

We praise thy hallowed name

Our thoughts, our words, our deeds, shall tell

Dear Alma Mater’s fame

(chorus)

Saint Mary’s, Mater, hail to thee!

Our love shall never fail

Thy counsels wise we’ll heed through life

Dear Alma Mater, hail!

A crown of jewels rare, we lay

Upon thy gracious brow

Our hearts, the gold; our thoughts, the gems

We pledge them to thee now

Like tapers bright our love for thee

Shall burn thought all the days

And shining down the paths of life

Shall light the darkened ways

ATHLETICS

St. Mary’s offered baseball, basketball, and football while it was open prior to changing its name to Trinity. The school added these sports prior to the name change in the hope that it would bring interest to the school and help boost enrollment.

BASKETBALL

The school offered a very competitive hoops program from the time it started playing the game against other schools in Central Illinois. It won two state Catholic tournaments and went on to play in the National Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournament in Chicago under coach Charley Bennett.

1926-27 20-11 State Catholic Tourney Champs Coach Charley Bennett

Defeated Rock Island St. Joseph 31-25 in semifinals

Beat Bourbonnais St. Viator 20-15 in title game

Qualified for National Catholic Tourney

Downed Denver, CO Sacred Heart 19-14

Lost to Syracuse, NY Holy Rosary 32-9

1927-28 16- 9 State Catholic Tourney Champs Coach Charley Bennett

Beat Woodstock St. Mary 13-9

Defeated Galesburg Corpus Christi 17-7

Downed Philo St. Joseph 28-6 in semifinals

Beat Peoria Spalding 18-12 in championship game

National Catholic Tournament Qualifier

Lost to San Antonio, TX St, Mary 23-19

BASEBALL

The Fighting Irish started out successful right out of the box when the pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Rev. Stephen Moore, requested that Rev. J. P. (Pat) Farrell be assigned to him as an assistant after the previous assistant was transferred by Bishop Edmund Dunne of Peoria to another position. Rev. Farrell was a pitcher in the old Three-I (Indiana, Illinois, & Iowa) League and the program was started upon his arrival. St. Mary’s began a winning tradition that would stretch into a mark of 50-3 over five years, including 38 straight after the school’s name change.

1927 6-1 Coach Rev. J.P. Farrell

1928 6-2 Coach Rev. J.P. Farrell

First St. Mary’s football team–1925

Courtesy of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Stephen Moore’s book “History of Holy Trinity Parish, Bloomington, IL”

FOOTBALL

St. Mary offered football as far back as 1925, according to accounts in the Bloomington Pantagraph, and it continued at Trinity as well as at Central Catholic. The first varsity team was a winner, and the program took off from there.

1925 4-3-2 Coach Earl Peirce

1926 5-1-1 Coach Earl Peirce

1927 5-5 Coach Don Karnes

SAINTS’ HALL OF FAME

Around 1991, Central Catholic decided to honor athletes and coaches alike throughout the history of St. Mary’s and Trinity as well as Central Catholic with a Saints’ Hall of Fame. Two persons have been inducted from St. Mary’s, which are listed below.

—Rev. J.P. Farrell (coach & athletic director), 1927-34.

—Ken Clothier (class of 1927), starter in football & basketball.

SPECIAL THANKS

In compiling some of the information you see on this page, our thanks go to Trinity graduate JoAnn McGraw (class of 1962, currently in the Office of Development, Public Relations, and Alumni at Bloomington Central Catholic HS) along with Central Catholic yearbook advisor Jim Reckard for giving us some of their time to peruse and compile information from yearbooks of St. Mary’s from 1927 & 1928.

WE’D LIKE TO GET MORE INFORMATION …

to show the history of St. Mary High School. We are welcoming your facts and photos by sending them to us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or by sending them to us via USPS:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL 60631

Bloomington Illinois Wesleyan Preparatory Academy

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Old North Building (1856-1966)

Courtesy of Tate Archives (http://www.iwu.edu/library/contact/tate_archives.shtml)

The History of Bloomington Illinois Wesleyan Preparatory Academy

Bloomington (population 75,000) is located in the center of the state of Illinois in McLean County, and is considered a hub of activity for transportation. Interstates 39, 57, & 74 travel around the city and its neighbor, Normal. In addition, US Routes 51 and 150 as well as Illinois 9 are major thoroughfares through the communities, which are the home of Illinois Wesleyan University, Illinois State University, Mitsubishi Motors, and State Farm Insurance.

Founded in 1830, Bloomington is also rich in history about the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and former Supreme Court Justice David Davis (who was a good friend of Lincoln) as they made their way to national prominence. Also, Adlai Stevenson I as well as Joseph Fifer were governors of Illinois that hailed from Bloomington, as did baseball Hall of Famer Charles (Old Hoss) Radbourne.

The Preparatory Academy (or department) of Illinois Wesleyan University was opened on October 28, 1850 at the Bloomington Methodist Evangelical (M.E.) Church with seven male students between the ages of 14-22 in attendance. The school was formed by a group of founding fathers, most of them Methodist ministers, as well as others that became prominent names in Bloomington history.

By the end of the first school year, the attendance for the preparatory academy finished with 30 students, even though it was as high as 45 at one point. J.W. Sherfy was the principal of the department with Rev. Reuben Andrus as the first teacher of the school. Both the university and prep academy moved into a new facility in 1856, which was called North Hall. The university later moved into its own building by 1871, while the prep academy stayed put.

Attendance was moderate with the second year enrollment at 101 in 1851-52, but had fallen to 45 by the autumn of 1861 on account of the Civil War. It did rebound to 71 two years later and increased to 141 by the fall of 1865 when the war was over.

Illinois Wesleyan Preparatory Academy was an all-boys’ school until 1871 when it became a co-ed institution as 19 girls were admitted. The school’s enrollment with both genders fluctuated over the next 20 years or so before it hit a high of 250 in 1894.

The preparatory department did revamp its curriculum in 1888 when it offered a three-year collegiate prep course of study and its academic prep course went to four years. School president William Wilder hired Calvin W. Green as the preparatory academy’s principal that same year along with assistant principal Lyde R. Porter (who later assumed the principal’s role from 1908-12). Even though the preparatory department organized itself separately from the university in 1883, it wasn’t until 1889 when the name of the department became Illinois Wesleyan Academy.

Enrollment was a steady decline all the way up to World War I, when the school decided to stop admitting freshmen and sophomores after the spring of 1917, then only seniors remained for the 1918-19 school year as the school closed for good. By then, the Bloomington-Normal community had four high schools (Bloomington, St. Mary, Normal Community, and University High) that were established and the thought was to discontinue the academy so that the school could concentrate on collegiate studies only.

QUICK FACTS

Year opened: 1850

Became co-ed: 1871

Year closed: 1919

School colors: Green & White

School nickname: unknown

School song: unknown

INTERESTING TO NOTE

Some of the founding fathers of Illinois Wesleyan University/Academy include William H. Allin, John Magoun, John W. Ewing, John E. McClun, William H. Holmes, Kersey H. Fell, Rev. Peter Cartwright, James Allin, Rev. John S. Barger, Charles P. Merriman, W.C. Hobbs, James Miller, Isaac Funk, William Wallace, Rev. James F. Jaques, Silas Watters, Rev. William J. Rutledge, Rev. Thomas P. Rogers, Lewis Bunn, James Laeton, Rev. Thomas Magee, Rev. John Van Cleave, Rev. C.M. Holliday, Rev. Linus Graves, Rev. Reuben Andrus, Rev. James C. Finley, and Rev. David Trimmer.

Other notable figures associated with the school outside of President Abraham Lincoln, Illinois Governor Joseph Fifer, and Supreme Court Justice David Davis include Jesse Fell, and Maj. John Wesley Powell (was a faculty member from 1865-67 before leaving to explore Pikes’ Peak, the Colorado River, and the Grand Canyon from 1867-72). In a bit of irony, both Lincoln and Fell were also involved in the founding of Illinois State Normal (now Illinois State) University in 1857, which is less than a mile up the street from Illinois Wesleyan.

In the first year that course work was offered at Illinois Wesleyan, language, geometry, algebra, & philosophy courses cost $5.00 per quarter, English grammar was $4.00, while orthography & arithmetic were $3.00.

According to information found in the 1857-58 school catalog, it states the following about the Preparatory Department: “This will be under the immediate supervision of the Faculty, assisted by such Tutors as may be necessary to accomplish their work. It is preferred that Students preparing for the College Classes should make their preparation here rather than elsewhere for an advanced standing. If we must be responsible for the final credentials of the scholar, we would prefer laying the foundation of his scholarship.”

However, in the 1902-03 catalog, the Academy (still referred to as “Preparatory School”) was given the following write-up: “The prime purpose of this school is to furnish a thorough preparation for admission to college. The courses of study offered are equal to the requirements of the best fitting schools. No subject is omitted which is indispensable either to the knowledge or mental discipline requisite for successful collegiate work.

“While these courses are designed primarily to fit the pupil for college, they are, also, admirably arranged for those who are seeking high grade academic attainments. Their component parts are well selected and placed in logical order, thus offering the best possible results to those who can pursue only a limited course of study.

“Three preparatory courses of study are offered—The Classical, The Latin-Scientific, and the English—each leading to Freshmen rank and requiring one hundred forty-six semester hours for its completion. These hours are distributed as follows:

“Classical Course:–Mathematics 34, English Language 33, History and Civics 21, Latin 30, Greek 20, Science 8.

“Latin-Scientific:–Mathematics 34, English Language 35, History and Civics 21, Latin 30, Science 16, German 10.

“English-Scientfic:–Mathematics 34, English Language 35, History and Civics 21, Latin 20, Science 16, German 20.

“One semester hour in English Classics is required throughout the entire course, and one in elocution during the third and fourth years of the Latin-Scientific courses, and one in the fourth year of the Classical course.

RELATION TO THE COLLEGE

“The Preparatory School is closely allied to the College of Liberal Arts, and feels in many ways its elevating influence. Its students meet in chapel with the college students. They recite in part to teachers who are members of the college faculty and have the benefit of the college laboratories, museums, libraries, and Christian associations. They also have the same rights in the gymnasium and the athletic park. Such associations and privileges are very stimulating and helpful to preparatory students.

“Yet the preparatory school has a distinct organization of its own. It is under the immediate supervision of a principal of established reputation who gives it his entire time and energy. In addition to the help given by members of the college faculty, he has an assistant of ability and experience whose work is exclusively in this school. The preparatory students have their own class organizations, literary societies, literary contests, and graduation exercises, and upon completing the course certificates are presented to them by the President of the University.

“While under the careful oversight so important for students of this grade, they also have every opportunity and incentive for the development of manly and womanly character. Every effort is made to awaken in them a noble ambition and to help them to lay a foundation, both moral and intellectual, upon which they may safely and successful build.

ADVANCED GRADING

“While the preparatory courses of study cover four years, a student may enter any one of them at any point for which he is prepared, and advance as rapidly as he is able to do satisfactory work. No examinations are required for admission, but applicatns should have a fair knowledge of the common school branches.

“Students are assigned to classes according to the judgment of the principal, who reserves the right to make subsequent changes, if they beccome necessary.

“Applicants desiring credit for work done elsewhere should bring formal statements from their teachers, showing amount and character of the work for which they wish to receive credit.”

A BIG THANKS….

to archivist Meg Miner at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Ames Library. Photographs and catalogue descriptions have been provided by Tate Archives & Special Collections, The Ames Library, Illinois Wesleyan University. Find out more about IWU at: http://www.iwu.edu/library/contact/tate_archives.shtml

Also, a written history about the school entitled “The Illinois Wesleyan Story 1850-1950” by Elmo Scott Watson (IWU Press, Bloomington, Illinois 1950) helped provide a history of the school as well as a list of the founding fathers and notable subjects in the school’s history.

IF YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US!!!!

Our address is listed below, or you can email us at dr.veeman@gmail.com. You can also contact us thru the Guest Commentary page. We would love to find out more about the Preparatory Academy of Illinois Wesleyan University, its activities, and other famous students.

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva

Chicago, IL 60631

Blandinsville High School “Rams”

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Blandinsville High School

Richard Soseman Photo

The Original Blandinsville School Building

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The History of Blandinsville High School

Blandinsville (population 777) is located in upper-western Illinois. This northwestern McDonough County town is located about 10 miles northwest of Macomb. Illinois Route 9 is the main road in town and connects it to U.S. Route 67 about 9 miles to the east. The Little Creek and Baptist Creek flow to the north and south of town, respectively. The Toledo, Peoria, & Western Railroad also travels through town.

The town and its school history are long and storied. The town name is derived from the first store owner in the area, Joseph L. Blandin. The town was not actually platted until 1842 and began to develop from there. The first school was begun in the late 1830s in the Blandinsville area. A school building was erected for the town’s children in 1868. Due to the growing population of school-aged children, a new school building was erected in 1905. An addition which included a gymnasium was built onto the structure in 1924.

Tragedy struck the town when the school building burned to the ground in 1934. Plans to build a new school were immediately set in motion. The children had the adventure of going to class in several builidngs around town as the new school was being erected. The building was completed in time for the Class of 1936’s graduation ceremony.

In 1949 the school districts in the towns of Blandinsville, Sciota, and Good Hope agreed to join forces to create one large school district. This agreement led to the creation of the Northwestern School District. The high school was held in the Blandinsville High School building until 1959. A new, more centrally located building was erected near the town of Sciota. (Thank you to Troy Kempher for this information.)

Blandinsville HS Side View

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Photo by Richard Soseman

Blandinsville’s school building continued to serve the Northwestern School District through 1975 as a grade school. A new building was built in Good Hope, allowing for the closing of the Blandinsville school. The building was given to the town of Blandinsville.

The following information regarding the status of the former Blandinsville High School building was supplied to us by Clayton Cook:

“I have some information for you on the current standing of the retired Blandinsville Illinois High/Grade School. Shortly after it was given to the city it was converted into an emergency fallout shelter in which the nuclear fallout shelter signs still hang outside. In the 90’s the roof began to fail and was contracted and replaced.

The building was partially renovated with the intention of being transformed into a community center. The district that Blandinsville originally consolidated into (northwestern cusd 175, which is now consolidated again to include the towns of Colchester and Tennessee to create West Praire cusd 103 [2003]) held their spring plays in the gymnasium for several years. However only a few years after the roof was re-done it failed again, and the contractor that did the job was nowhere to be found. With everyone discouraged and insufficient funds to fix the roof again (I believe it was the late ninteys) it was sold to a private citizen for $1.00.

He currently rents a few of the still decent rooms inside for storage. The roof still leaks and the gap constantly grows larger. Due to interior cealing collapse the southwest stairwell is for the most part impassable as well as the classrooms on the southwest side on the 3rd floor. Also the southwest corner of the gymnasium has begun to warp and buckle due to water damage. The doors and windows outside and inside remain mostly intact and the large cast iron boiler in the basement still remains. There are still a few desks, chairs, and tables in the basement in what is left of the old boys lockerroom (partially destroyed when the plans for renovating the school were still in play). Also the folding seating in the gymnasium remains except for the balcony (upper deck area) in which the seating has been removed. All the lockers have been removed. All the fire, electrical, water, and plumbing systems have been disconnected.”

The Blandinsville brick school building met its demise in 2014 when it was razed. For a nice, condensed history of the Blandinsville school district please check out the following web address provided to us by Owen Pulver:

http://www.quillnewspaper.com/2014/Feb/a2604a1.html

Blandinsville High School Quick Facts

Year Blandinsville Schools began: late 1830s

Year HS school opened: 1884

Year newer building built: 1905

Year gymnasium added: 1924

Year 1905 building burned down: 1934

Year new brick building built: 1936

Year Blandinsville HS closed: 1949

Consolidated to: Northwestern School District

(Northwestern HS held in Blandinsville School building until 1959.)

Year Blandinsville bldg. ceased

operation as a grade school: 1980

Year Blandinsville School razed: 2014

School nickname: the “Rams” (GS nickname the “Bombers”)

School team colors: Blue & Gold

School Fight Song: “Here Comes old B’Ville!”

Here comes old B’ville,

We’ll make her win!

Fight to the finish,

Never give in!

Rah Rah Rah!!

You do your best team,

We’ll do the rest team

To make old B’ville win!

Grade School Fight Song

Courtesy of Jane (Wilson) Hoerner

B-O-M-B-E-R-S

Thats our name and we’re the best

Let’s go

The Bombers are the best

Let”s Fight

The Bombers are the best

Let’s Win

The Bombers are the best

Let’s Go Let’s Fight Let’s Win

TONIGHT!

Blandinsville Gymnasiuim

Photo by Richard Soseman

Athletics

As you can see above, Blandinsville High School definitely offered boys basketball. It is probable that baseball and track were also offered. Unfortunately there is no mention of these sports for Blandinsville High on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). We are unsure of the school’s mascot, team colors, or school fight song. We are also searching for the records and coaches names of the better BHS hardwood court stars of the past.

Information from our good fan E.W. Chapin:

“During the 1940’s the schools in the Lamoine Valley Conference were, in football, Western High Of Macomb( WIU’s lab school), Blandinsville High, LaHarpe High, Warsaw High, Hamilton High, Industry and Carthage. In basketball add to that list Dallas City, Colchester, and Plymouth. Track consisted of the same ten schools. Not many schools in the area offered baseball. I think the three schools that didn’t offer football maybe offered fall baseball instead.”

Blandinsville coaches of the late 1940s included Jack Krashaurr (possibly mispelled) Former star halfback at WIU who was originally from Warsaw. Harold Slater also coached at Blandinsville and was a former football and basketball player from Bradley by way of Quincy. These coaches may have been preceded by Rosco Scott.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Blandinsville High School “Rams” had some nice seasons on the hardwood court. Unfortunately season records and coaches’ names of each year are currently not available. Scores from the annual postseason IHSA tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” Not all Blandinsville scores are listed on this site, however the scores we did locate are listed below.

Blandinsville Basketball Team – 1932-33

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Season Record & Coach’s Name Needed

1933-34 Macomb District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Macomb Western 34-7

Macomb Western lost in semi-final round

1934-35 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1935-36 Blandinsville District Runner-up! Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Little York 29-10

Semi-final Beat Macomb Western

Title Game lost to Alexis 20-16

1936-37 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1938-39 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1939-40 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1940-41 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1942-43 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1944-45 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1945-46 Blandinsville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

Blandinsville scores unavailable

Stronghurst beat Bardolph for title

1946-47 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed

1947-48 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed

1948-49 Stronghurst District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Good Hope 66-41

Good Hope beat Terre Haute for title

1948-49 was the final season for Blandinsville High School. BHS became part of the Northwestern School District in the fall of 1949.

Football Shoes of Dale Hamilton

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FOOTBALL

The late 1800s and early 1900s saw the tough sport of football played in Blandinsville. Blandinsville High School competed in football and was where the ancestors of Rick Hamilton started what became five generations of Illinois High School football players from the Hamilton family! Above, to the right, and below are pictured a parts of a uniform which was wore by Rick’s grandfather, Dale Willis Hamilton, when he played pro football for a team in Canton, Illinois!!

In the photos below you will see members of the first Hamilton family boys to play football in Illinois. In the 1888 photo on the left is Elmer Hamilton (top row to the far left) and his brother Ed Hamilton (top row, fourth from the left). The photo to the right depicts the Blandinsville team of 1918. Dale Willis Hamilton can be viewed as the second guy from the left on the car.

Blandinsville High School Football – 1908

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Blandinsville HS Football – 1898

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Memories

From 1950 alum E.W. Chapin:

“When I was in school one coach handled all three sports; football, basketball, and track. Enrollment when I was at B’ville High was probably less than 100. My graduating class had a total of sixteen students. I won’t attempt to name any “STARS” as I would leave names out that should be on the list. During my time there the athletic progam was not at its best until the later years of Coach Slater, after the consolidation effort had taken place. Track was probably the strongest program in the late 40’s.”

We Need Your Help

Blandinsville High School deserves to be remembered for the many accomplishments achieved by its students, faculty, and townspeople. If you have any information you would like to share on Blandinsville HS please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Football Shin Guards of Dale Hamilton

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Football Helmet of Dale Hamilton

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Canton Football Team 1915 – 1823

Football Uniform of Dale Hamilton

1915 – 1923 Canton Pro Football Team

Blandinsville High School

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Blandinsville, Illinois

Blairsville High School

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

The History of Blairsville High School

Blairsville (population approximately 100) is located in southwestern Illinois in the east-central portion of Williamson County. According to Mapquest, Blairsville is about 7 blocks from north to south and 4 blocks from east to west. Illinois Route 184 is the main roadway to and from Blairsville. It intersects with County Highway 11 on the south side of town. Blairsviolle is located about 10 miles due northeast of Carbondale. The Big Muddy River flows by the north side of town.

The history of the town of Blairsville has been difficult to research via the internet. We do know that the town was named after Stephen Blair who built a Mill on the Big Muddy River in 1832. Blairsville had its own post office and a population of 37 in 1895. Coal mining brought a larger popuilation to Blairsville in the early 1900s. When the mine closed however, the population dwindled to the current state of approximately 100 residents.

We know that Blairsville once supported its own high school. It was likely a two or three-year high school. It is probable that Blairsville High School was in existence from the early 1920s through the late 1940s. This information is in need of research and verification. We do know that the kids of Blairsville today attend school in nearby Herrin.

Blairsville High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1920s(?)

Year Closed: late 1940s(?)

Consolidated to: Herrin High School

Blairsville HS nickname: ??

Blairsville HS colors: ??

Blairsville HS fight song: ??

Athletics & Extra-Curriculars

We are quite certain that the Blairsville High School boys participated in competitive basketball. We believe they competed in baseball and track as well. We are in need of your assistance here. School team nickname, team colors, fight song, coach’s names, and team records are all items we are searching for.

We are also interested in items and activities that made Blairsville High School unique. Band, chorus, plays, meetings, clubs, and dances were likely all a part of the Blairsville High School experience. If you have knowledge of these please write to us so that we may share them on this page.

Seeking Your Assistance

Photos and information regarding Blairsville High School can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.. You can also send items to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Bismarck High School

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Bismark High School and Gymnasium 1944

Submitted by Terry Lefton

Bismark-Henning High School Complex 2013

The History of Bismarck High School

Bismarck (population 542) is located in far east-central Illinois about 10 miles north of Danville. The town was platted in the upper-east portion of Vermilion County. The Indiana state line sits just two miles east of Bismarck. U.S. Route 136 passes by the west edge of town while Illinois Route 119 passes by the north side of town. The Painter Creek flows through the north side of town while the Louisville & Nashville Railroad also passes through Bismarck.

Bismarck’s history and the history of the Bismarck school system is in need of research. As with most schools on this site, Bismarck probably had a high school in place by the late 1800s, possibly the early 1900s. Bismarck High School served the community and surrounding farm kids for about 60 years. The early 1960s brought on consolidation talks with the town’s neighbor to the northwest, Henning. This consolidation effort was realized in 1964 with the creation of the Bismarck-Henning School District.

Bismarck landed the high school for the new district. We believe the original Bismarck High School building was used as the Bismarck-Henning High School building for many years until a new structure was eventually built (see photo above, more photos of the new building are available below). The original building has since been razed.

Bismarck High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed: 1964

Consolidated to: Bismarck-Henning School District.

Bismarck HS team nickname: unavailable

BHS team colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

Bismarck High School competed in boys baseball for sure (www.ihsa.org). We believe the school offered basketball and track as well. Please write to us if you know of any other sports or activities offered at BHS. School team nickname, colors, fight song, team records, and coach’s names are all items being sought for this page.

Boys Baseball

The boys brought home two District titles during their history at Bismarck High. The titles came in baseball in consecutive seasons accomplished in the early 1940s. Unfortunately the team records and coach’s names of these and other great Bismarck High School teams are not currently available.

1940-41 District Champions Coach’s name & record needed

1941-42 District Champions Coach’s name & record needed

1942-43 Games not played.

1943-44 6 – 0 North Vermilion County League Champs Coach Hugh Moss

1944-45 3 – 3 Coach Hugh Moss

Bismark HS Baseball 1945

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Bismark HS Baseball Team of 1944

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Submitted by Terry Lefton (left click on phonto for larger view)

Boys Basketball

The Bismarck High School boys competed in basketball as well. Though the program did not win any IHSA hardware they were very competitive, and often faced schools many times their enrollment on the hardwood court. We do not have any current season records or coaches’ names to report.

Several IHSA Tournament scores involving Bismarck were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores“. The scores we located are printed below.

Scores prior to the 1933-34 season are needed.

1933-34 Milford District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Lost to Milford 19-17

Milford lost in 2nd round.

1934-35 Hoopeston District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Lost to Hoopeston 33-14

Hoopeston lost in 2nd round

1935-36 Westville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Lost to Fairmount 34-20

Fairmount won District title.

1936-37 & 1937-38 Postseaston scores, coach’s names, and records needed.

1938-39 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Armstrong 32-31

Armstrong lost in semi-final round

1939-40 Postseason scores, season record, and coach’s name needed

1940-41 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed

1941-42 Hoopeston Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

Bismarck did not compete in District

Hoopeston Regional Tourney

1st Rd Lost to Watseka 30-28

Watseka lost in title game

1942-43 Postseason scores, records, and coach’s names needed.

1943-44 11 – 9 Postseason scores needed. Coach Hugh Moss

1944-45 4 – 13 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach Hugh Moss

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Rossville 58-28

Rossville lost in title game

1945-46 Milford Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Hoopeston 66-42

Hoopeston lost in semi-final round

1946-47 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Cissna Park 47-24

Cissna Park lost in semi-final round

1947-48 Hoopeston Regional Tourney 2nd Place Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Beat Potomac 49-30

Semi-final Beat Cissna Park 52-37

Title game Lost to Hoopeston 59-38

1948-49 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Potomac 44-28

Potomac won Regional title

1949-50 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1950-51 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Hoopeston 59-40

Hoopeston won Regional Tourney

1951-52 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Cissna Park 52-40

Cissna Park lost in Semi-final round

1952-53 Watseka Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Watseka 71-57

Watseka lost in title game

1953-54 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Hoopeston 52-37

Hoopeston won Regional title

1954-55 Watseka Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Cissna Park 67-55

Cissna Park lost in title game

1955-56 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Hoopeston 45-41

Hoopeston lost in semi-final round

1956-57 Watseka Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Watseka 71-57

Watseka lost in title game

1957-58 Hoopeston Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

Bismarck did not compete in District

Hoopeston Regional Tourney

1st Rd Beat Rossville 42-40

Semi-final lost to Cissna Park 56-47

Cissna Park won Regional title

1958-59 Watseka Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Rossville-Alvin 47-40

Rossville-Alvin lost in semi-final round

1959-60 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Sheldon 80-59

Sheldon lost in semi-final round

1960-61 Watseka Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Cissna Park 59-52

Cissna Park lost in semi-final round

1961-62 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Watseka 61-49

Watseka lost in semi-final round

1962-63 Watseka Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

1st Rd Lost to Watseka 66-60

Watseka won Regional title

1963-64 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

Bismarck did not compete in District tourney

**1st Rd Lost to Sheldon 66-55

Sheldon lost in semi-final round

**Final game as Bismarck High School. Consolidation with Henning occurred after this school year.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Bismarck High School likely had many activities and clubs for the students to participate in. Band, choir, FFA, FHA, GAA, and other activities were probably a big part of the BHS experience.

Need Your Assistance

The Bismarck High School legacy should not be forgotten. School nickname, colors, fight song, great teams, and other noteable accomplishments at BHS should be remembered and shared with others. A photo of the original high school building is especially being sought. You can e-mail these items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

**The photos below are of the new Bismarck-Henning High School facilities completed around 2010. “Left click’ your cursor on any photo to view a larger version of that photo. The photos were taken in 2013.

Bismarck-Henning Wilcox Gymnasium 2013

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Bismarck-Henning Grade School 2013

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Bismarck-Henning High School Stone 2013

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Bismarck-Henning HS Welcome Sign 2013

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Bismarck-Henning Football Field 2013

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Bismnarck-Henning Football Field 2013

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Bingham High School

Posted on March 1, 2022August 27, 2025 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

The History of Bingham High School

Bingham (population 117) is located in southwestern Illinois in the northwestern portion of Fayette County. County Highway 1 is the main roadway to and from Bingham. County Road 200 E also takes you to Bingham. U.S. Route 51 passes by Bingham about 7 miles to the east. Bingham is about 20 miles northwest of Vandalia and 17 miles east of Hillsboro.

The history of the village of Bingham and its former school system is difficult to research “on-line.” We only know that Bingham supported aa high school at one time by locating a web site that provides high school basketball scores from the early days of the Illinois High School Association boys basketball tournament. There will be more information on this below.

It is our guess that Bingham High School was in place by the early 1920s, possibly as early as the late 1800s. Bingham High School was likely a two or three-year high school. All such high schools were mandated by the state of Illinois to close in the late 1940s. It is our belief that Bingham High closed her doors at that time.

We are not certain where the Bingham kids attend school today. We believe this would be in nearby Ramsey, just 5 miles to the east and a little north of Bingham.

Bingham High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed: 1940s?

Consolidated to: Ramsey High School (?)

Bingham HS team nickname: ??

Bingham HS team colors: ??

Bingham HS fight song: ??

ATHLETICS

We know for certain that the Bingham High School boys played basketball. It is probable that baseball and track were offered as well. We are searching for the school team nickname, uniform colors, and fight song as well as coaches names and season records to share on this page.

BASKETBALL

The web address of http://sites.google.com/site/xtmi2000/ provides basketball scores for the IHSA boys basketball tournament as early as 1922. The following scores were located on this site for the Bingham High School basketball team.

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1934-35 Vandalia District Tournament

1st Round: Bingham 24, Springfield St. James 20

2nd Round St. Elmo 42, Bingham 19

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1935-36 Ramsey District Tournament

1st Round Ramsey 54, Bingham 20

(Ramsey won the District title this year.)

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1936-37 Pocahontas District Tournament

1st Round lost to Panama 28-19

Pocahontas beat Panama in title game.

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1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1938-39 Odin District Tournament

1st Round lost to Odin 55-14

Kinmundy beat Springfield St. James in title game.

—–

1939-40 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1940-41 Ramsey District Tournament

1st Round lost to Ramsey 58-30

Coffeen beat Mulberry Grove in title game.

—–

Please contact us if you have any further information on the Bingham High School boys basketball program.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The Bingham High School students were likely offered a well-rounded education and a nice range of activities to partake in. Chorus, band, dances, and clubs were all activities that may have been available to the Bingham High School students.

IF YOU HAVE FURTHER INFORMATION TO SHARE….

The Bingham High School legacy should not be forgotten. Athletics and other extra-curricular activities at BHS should be remembered and shared with others. You can e-mail these items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net

Biggsville Union High School “Yankees”

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Biggsville Union High School Building 2020

Now West Central High School

Biggsville Union High Schol Entrance 2020

Now West Central High School

The History of Union High School of Biggsville

Biggsville (population 343) is located on U.S. Route 34 at the intersection with Il. Route 94 in northern Henderson County. This places Biggsville about 14 miles southwest of Monmouth. The BNSF Railroad runs through the town and the South Henderson Creek loops over the north side of town.

Gladstone (population 284) is located on Il. Route 164 one mile north of US. Route 34 in northern Henderson County. Other location landmarks include being approximately 20 miles southwest of Monmouth and five miles east of the Mississippi River. The BNSF Railroad runs through town and the South Henderson Creek also is a part of the village’s history.

Oquawka (population 1,539) is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River in far western Henderson County. Il. Route 164 is the main highway in town. A larger town of note in the area is Monmouth which sits 16 miles east of Oquawka. More information is being sought regarding the town’s history.

Gulfport (population 207) is located in the same area, upper-western Illinois. The town is located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in west-central Henderson County. U.S. Route 34 is the main roadway connecting Gulf Port to the rest of Illinios and Iowa. The At & St Railroad travels through town. Orchard City Lake sits on the southeast side of town. Gulf Port is located about 20 miles southwest of Monmouth.

Gladstone-Oquawka High School was established in the late 1940s to early 1950s. Biggsville had a high school in place by the late 1800s. Gulf Port’s situation is in need of research regarding its educational system. It was in 1960 that these four towns entered into a consolidation effort of the high schools of Biggsville and Gladsone-Oquawka High Schools. This effort led to the creation of the Union School District.

The high school for the Union District was located near BIggsville. The building served these communities for about 45 years. It was in 2005 that Biggsville Union High agreed to consolidate their educational efforts with its neighbor from the south, Stronghurst Southern High School. The new District was named the West Central School District.

Biggsville Union HS is the home to West Central High School.

Biggsville Union High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1960

Year closed: 2005

Consolidated to: West Central School District (Biggsville)

Union HS team nickname: the “Yankees”

UHS team colors: Red, White, & Blue

School Fight Song: “It’s a Grand Old School”

Sung to the Tune of “Its a Grand Old School”

Thank you to Roni Danner Miller (UHS Class of 1981)

Lyrics from Justin E. Parsons

It’s a grand old school,

It’s a victorious school,

And forever will it’s colors wave.

It’s the emblem of the school we love,

In the home of the free and the brave.

Every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue,

Where there’s never a boast or brag.

Should all aquaintance be forgot,

When the old Union High is here!

The Union Grade School Fight Song was sung to the tune of “on Wisconsin” and was provided by Justin Parsons. Click on the play button below and sing along!

On you Yankees

Fight for victory!

We’re behind you

And we’ll find you

Number one you’ll see!

Always fighting

Always striving

We’re so proud of you!

Keep Fighting Yankees

For that Red, White, & Blue!

Yankee Emblem of Union High School

A red and blue flag

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Submitted by Justin Parsons

Athletics

The boys were competitive in basketball, football, track, and possibly baseball. The girls competed in basketball, volleyball, track, and possibly softball. We are in need of the school fight song and some of the better team records, and great stories, of the history of the Biggsville Union Yankees.

Sarah Seitz-Bigger sent us this information about the Bi-County Conference that

Union High competed in:

“The Bi-County Conference was conference our school was in before the Lincoln Trail. This conference constisted of Biggsville Union, Stronghurst Southern, Roseville, Avon, Yorkwood, Monmouth Warren, La Harpe, Sciota Northwestern.”

Boys Basketball

Two Regional Championships hi-lited the Yankee hardwod court success. The better season records attained by the BUHS boys as found on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) are listed below.

1960-61 21 – 4 Macomb Regional Tourney Coach J. Reynolds

1st Rd Beat Stronghurst 72-59

Semi-final Monmouth 64-51

Monmouth beat Macomb in title game

1961-62 20 – 4 Macomb Regional Tourney Coach J. Reynolds

1st Rd Beat Abingdon 61-56

Semi-final Galesburg 91-52

Galesburg beat Monmouth in title game

1962-63 Bushnell Regional Tourney Coach J. Reynolds

1st Rd lost to Galesburg 57-49

Galesburg beat Abindon in title game

1963-64 Postseason scores & record needed. Coach J. Reynolds

1964-65 Sciota District Tourney Coach J. Reynolds

1st Rd lost to Roseville 79-65

Macomb Western beat Sciota NW in title game

1965-66 Postseason scores & record needed. Coach J. Reynolds

1966-67 Postseason scores & record needed. Coach J. Reynolds

1967-68 Stronghurst District Tourney Coach J. Reynolds

1st Rd lost to Macomb Western 91-54

Macomb Western beat Stronghurst in title game

1968-69 Sciota District Tourney Coach J. Reynolds

1st Rd lost to Avon

Roseville beat Sciota NW in title game

1969-70 Stronghurst District Tourney Coach J. Rima

1st Rd lost to Roseville 54-36

Roseville beat Stronghurst in title game

1970-71 17 – 5 Macomb Regional Tournament Coach J. Rima

1st Rd lost to Knoxville 82-38

Macomb Beat Galesburg in title game

1971-72 16 – 7 Sciota Class ‘A’ Regional Coach J. Rima

1st Rd lost to Roseville 80-66

Bushnell-Prairie City beat Roseville in title game.

1972-73 10 – 10 Sciota Class ‘A’ Regional Coach J. Rima

1st Rd lost to Stronghurst Southern 83-66

Bushnell-Prairie City beat Stronghurst Southern in title game

1973-74 Sciota Class ‘A’ Regional Coach J. Rima

1st Rd lost to Stronghurst Southern 60-48

Sciota NW beat Bushnell-Prairie City in title game

1974-75 14 – 10 Sciota Class ‘A’ Regional Coach J. Rima

1st Rd lost to Avon 59-55

Bushnell-Prairie City beat Sciota NW in title game

1975-76 16 – 8 Sciota Class ‘A’ Regional Runner-Up Coach J. Rima

1st Rd Beat Roseville 74-53

Semi-final Beat Stronghurst Southern 69-58

Title game lost to Bushnell-Prairie City 49-41

1976-77 Roseville Class ‘A’ Regional Coach T. Avery

1st Rd lost to B-PC 55-52

Stonghurst Southern beat Bushnell-Prairie City in title game

1977-78 London Mills Class ‘A’ Regional Coach D. Renwick

1st Rd lost to Sciota NW 85-40

B-PC beat Valley in title game

1978-79 12 – 12 Macomb Regional Tourney Coach D. Renwick

1st Rd Beat Avon 62-57

Semi-final lost to B-PC 93-58

Bushnell-Prairie City beat Stronghurst Southern in title game

1979-80 Roseville Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Dan Dillard

1st Rd lost to Valley 74-42

Sciota NW beat Bushnell-Prairie City in title game

1980-81 London Mills Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Dan Dillard

1st Rd Beat B-PC 65-64

Semi-Final lost to Roseville 77-63

Farmington beat Roseville in title game

1981-82 20 – 7 Roseville Regional Champions Coach Dan Dillard

1st Rd Beat Spoon River Valley 65-51

Semi-Final Beat Abingdon 50-48

Title Game Beat Roseville 59-49

Sherrard Class ‘A’ Sectional Tourney

Semi-Final Beat Williamsfield 55-53

BIGGSVILLE UNION (55): Gray 21, Simpson 12, J. Johnson 8, T. Johnson 6, Hamilton 6, Gray 2, Ferguson 2.

WILLIAMSFIELD (53): Moore 22, Howard 19, McClellan 6, Lunberry 6, Newell 2.

Title Game Lost to Monmouth 61-42

MONMOUTH (61): Hayes 16, Biasi 15, Miller 13, Birditt 9, McCurdy 5, Lovdahl 2, Kinney 1.

BIGGSVILLE UNION (42): Simpson 13, J. Johnson 11, Hamilton 6, Ferguson 5, P. Gray 5, J. Gray 2.

NOTE: Monmouth went on to a 2nd place finish in the state tournament losing to Lawrenceville.

1982-83 Abingdon Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Russ Galusha

1st Rd lost to Stronghurst Southern 59-44

Abingdon beat Southern in title game

1983-84 Roseville Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Russ Galusha

1st Rd lost to Stronghurst Southern 77-51

Southern beat Knoxville in title game

1984-85 17 – 9 Knoxville Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Russ Galusha

1st Rd Beat SR Valley 65-52

Semi-Final lost to Avon 61-45

Avon beat Roseville in title game

1985-86 Roseville Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Russ Galusha

1st Rd lost to Avon 84-49

Avon beat Abingdon in title game

1986-87 Monmouth Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Russ Galusha

1st Rd lost to Monmouth 89-59

Roseville beat Monmouth in title game

1987-88 Abingdon Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Russ Galusha

1st Rd Beat Roseville 85-76

Semi-Final lost to Avon 64-54

Avon beat Abingdon in title game

1988-89 Monmouth Class ‘A’ Regional Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Monmouth 66-43

Stronghurst Southern beat Monmouth in title game

1989-90 Abingdon Class ‘A’ Reg. Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Stronghurst Southern 66-56

Semi-final Beat Monmouth 68-60

Title game lost to Avon 69-62

1990-91 Abingdon Class ‘A’ Regional Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Abingdon 79-36

Avon beat Abingdon in title game

1991-92 Abingdon Class ‘A’ Regional Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Avon 62-42

Abingdon beat Avon in title game

1992-93 Abingdon Class ‘A’ Regional Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Avon 60-37

Monmouth beat Avon in title game

1994-94 Abingdon Class ‘A’ Regional Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Roseville 87-54

Roseville beat Monmouth in title game

1994-95 Roseville Class ‘A’ Regional Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Stronghurst Southern 60-44

Abingdon beat Monmouth in title game

1995-96 Abingdon Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Galen Noard

1st Rd lost to Stronghurst Southern 47-22

Abingdon beat Southern in title game

1996-97 18 – 11 Monmouth Regional Champions Coach Galen Noard

1st Rd Beat Monmouth Warren 63-47

Semi-Final Beat Abingdon 78-73

Title Game Beat Monmouth 81-75

Sherrard Sectional Tournament

Semi-Final Beat Rockridge 67-45

BIGGSVILLE UNION (67): Meyer 26, Robbins 11, Noard 9, Shutwell 8, Cole 7, Hetrick 6.

ROCKRIDGE (45): Peschang 21, Hafermann 8, Lund 6, Stevens 4, Wheatley 2, Wynes 2, Jo. Dunnett 2.

Title Game Lost to Williamsfield 84-65

1997-98 14 – 13 Abingdon Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Galen Noard

1st Rd Beat Roseville 61-42

Semi-Final lost to Abingdon 74-47

1998-99 15 – 11 Biggsville Class ‘A’ Reg. Runner-Up Coach Galen Noard

1st Rd Beat Monmouth Warren 73-70

Semi-Final Beat Stronghurst Southern 50-38

Title Game lost to Monmouth 72-60

1999-00 16 – 10 Monmouth Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Galen Noard

1st Rd Beat Roseville 46-42

Semi-Final lost to Alexis 46-29

2000-01 Alexis Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Craig Rima

1st Rd lost to Alexis 47-42

2001-02 Roseville Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Craig Rima

1st Rd lost to Roseville 67-39

2002-03 Monmouth Class ‘A’ Regional Coach John Vandenburg

1st Rd lost to Monmouth Yorkwood 65-46

2003-04 Alexis Class ‘A’ Regional Coach John Vandenburg

**1st Rd lost to Monmouth 69-59

**Final boys varsity basketball game for Biggsville Union High School.

Girls Volleyball

The Lady Yankee netters, after some tough early years, developed a great volleyball program in the 1990s:

The BUHS girls won a total of six Regional titles, five in the 1990s!

They won four straight Lincoln Trail Conference championships from 1998 to 2001! The Lady Yankees also won the LTC Tournament three straight times from 1999 to 2001!

1977-79 Coach Deborah Mass

1979-80 Coach Dan Ashton

1980-81 Coach Ray Sykes

1981-82 Coach Dan Ashton

1982-83 Coach Pat Olson

1983-84 10 – 6 Coach Pat Olson

1984-87 Coach Pat Olson

1987-88 13 – 12 Coach Pat Olson

1989-90 Regional Champions Coach Pat Olson

1990-91 Regional Champions Coach Pat Olson

1992-93 Regional Champions Coach Pat Olson

1995-96 26 – 4 – 1 Bi-County Conference Champs Coach Pat Olson

1996-97 Regional Champions Coach Pat Olson

1997-98 Regional Champions Coach Pat Olson

1998-99 LTC Champions Coach Pat Olson

1999-00 LTC Champions

2000-01 Regional and LTC Champions

2001-02 LTC Champions

Union High School Football Bleachers

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Football

The Union Yankees made three trips to the IHSA State Football playoffs. They made the most of their opportunity in 1981, making all the way to the Championship Game before falling to finish 12 – 1!! The Yankee grid iron hi-lites are listed below, at least those from 1975 through 2004.

1975-76 Coach Joe Jake

1976-80 Coach Dale Grawe

1980-81 7 – 2 Coach Dan Dillard

1981-82 12 – 1 IHSA CLASS 2A RUNNER-UP!! Coach Dan Dillard

Undefeated Regular Season (9 – 0)

Beat Hamilton 18 – 0

Beat Havana 16 – 13

Beat Dupo 38 – 0

Lost Championship Game

to Danville Schlarman 28 – 6

1982-83 5 – 4 Coach John Mowery

1985-86 5 – 4

1990-91 Coach Edward Smith

1992-93 5 – 4

1993-94 5 – 4

1994-95 Coach Jeff Flater

1995-96 Coach Galen Noard

1996-97 8 – 3 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Galen Noard

Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Lewistown 52 – 22

Lost to Sciota Northwestern 41 – 0

Sciota Finished 2nd in Class 1A

1997-98 8 – 3 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Galen Noard

Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Deer Creek-Mackinaw 21 – 6

Lost to Villa Grove 45 – 20

1998-99 Coach Galen Noard

1999-00 Coach Galen Noard

2000-02 Coach Brad Crisco

2002-04 Coach Patrick Lynch

In a October 23, 1992 game against Monmouth Warren, their regular season finale, Union’s Brandon Clark recovered a fumble and ran 92 yards for a touchdown, setting a school record for such a run.

Biggsville Union High School Football Field 2020

Biggsvile Union HS Football Scoreboard 2020

Boys Golf

From the “where there’s a will, there’s a way” category of life:

Biggsville Union did not have a notable golf program per say, however one athlete represtented the school incredibly well in the sport. Does the name Todd Hamilton ring a bell to any of you sports fans? Todd Hamilton won the IHSA State Class A Individual Championship in consecutive years in 1981-82 and 1982-83, his junior and senior years. Todd’s career did not fade away there. He went on to a career on the Professional Golf Association Tour, and was crowned Champion of the British Open in 2004!

1981-82 Todd Hamilton IHSA Class A STATE CHAMPION!!

1982-83 Todd Hamilton IHSA Class A STATE CHAMPION!!

Boys Track & Field

One male athlete brought home a medal from the IHSA Class A State Track Meet!

1974-75A Rod Slover Long Jump 3RD Place

Girls Track & Field

The Lady Yankee tracksters had four different girls bring home a total of 14 medals from the IHSA State Meet. Megan Shutwell led the way with a total of NINE individual medals won in her career. This includes at least two in each of her last three years of high school!! Stephanie Higgins faired well too winning two medals each in two different seasons.

The efforts of Megan Shutwell and Stephanie Higgins led the Lady Yankee thinclads to a SEVENTH PLACE FINISH in the 2000-01 State Class A Track Meet!!

1993-94 Tara Rice Shot Put 8TH Place

1998-99              Megan Shutwell      100 Meter Dash          8TH Place
400 Meter Dash           5TH Place
1999-00              Megan Shutwell      100 Meter Dash           7TH Place
200 Meter Dash            7TH Place
400 Meter Dash           4TH Place

2000-01 Team Finished SEVENTH in STATE MEET Competition!!

Individual Medalists

                             Megan Shutwell         100 Meter Dash       7TH Place
200 Meter Dash       9TH Place
400 Meter Dash      4TH Place
Long Jump            7TH Place

Stephanie Higgins High Jump 4TH Place

Triple Jump 3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Elmhurst (Timothy Christian) 63

2) South Holland (Seton Academy) 37

3) Braidwood (Reed-Custer) 34½

4) Kewanee (Wethersfield) 31

5) Aurora (Central Catholic) 28

6) Wheaton (St. Francis) 27

7) BIGGSVILLE UNION HIGH SCHOOL 26

7) Milledgeville 26

9) Eureka 24

9) St. Joseph (S.J.-Ogden) 24

2001-02 Stephanie Higgins High Jump 2ND Place

Triple Jump 3RD Place

Girls Golf

BUHS had a successful Girls Golf program during the turn of the 21st century. They won two Lincoln Trail Conference championships during that time.

1999-00 LTC Champions

2001-02 LTC Champions

MEMORIES

From Justin E. Parsons (Class of 2001):

“I was a student at Union High School from 1997-2001. I mainly remember the rivalry between Union and Southern. We always talked about how much we hated Southern, but we never really had a reason why. For most of us it was just passed down from our parents since that was how it’s been for years.

I was a Senior when both Union and Southern school districts started talking about co-oping for sports. I was fairly on the fence, but leaned more towards no. Mainly due to the fact that I was afraid someone was going to be better than me in the Shot-Put in track.

It was later that we realized that there wasn’t going to be a co-op in sports, but instead, a consolidation of both schools. We found out that it wouldn’t happen until much later, after I graduated.

I will say, I do miss Union High School. It still doesn’t seem right to not have a Union vs. Southern rivalry. I know I’m not the only one.”

Seeking Your Assistance

If you have ANY further information about Biggsville Union High School, please share it with us. Special thank you to Patrick Devitt for his contributions to this page. Photos and information can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can write to us via real mail at:

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

Biggsville Union HS Football Visitors Bleachers

Biggsville Township High School – “Red Devils”

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Biggsville High School Postcard – 1907

Submitted by Louise Renken Reynolds

The History of Biggsville Township High School

The town of Biggsville (population 343) is located on U.S. Route 34 at the intersection with Il. Route 94 in northern Henderson County. This places Biggsville about 14 miles southwest of Monmouth. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad runs through the town and the South Henderson Creek loops over the north side of town.

The residents of Biggsville have a rich tradition and great school history. A short history of the Biggsville Township School District was provided to us by alumnus Lyle Slagle (BTHS Class of 1949):

“A Short History of the Biggsville High School”

produced by Jack Kinslow and the BHS Alumni Association

On April 13, 1895, an election was held in the First National Bank of Biggsville for the purpose of voting for or against a township high school. The vote was in favor of the school. The high school probably started operation in the fall of 1895, but there is no record as to where school was held.

The first election for directors for the new school was held May 18, 1895. Those elected were: Isaac William McQuown, Henry Cowden, August Wiegand, Robert McMillen, and William Plummer.

The first high school building was built in 1896 and sat just west of the present Biggsville Methodist Church. The cost of the frame structure building was $8,000. It was not modern by today’s standards.

Mr J. A. Strong was the first principal. His salary was $850 per year. He organized the school, bought and arranged the library, prepared the first couse of study, provided the system of records, secured the laboratory equipment, and did all the teaching himself for the first few months.

The high school course of study was limited to three years from 1896 to 1900. Then it was increased to four years. Students were admitted to the high school by examination only. In 1900 the school library had 600 books. These books were selected with reference to the course of study. The school was on the accredited list of the University of Illinois.

The first high school building and its contents were destroyed by fire on July 26, 1906. Classes were held in the Wiegand Building on Main Street while the new building was being built.

The second high school building was built in 1906-1907 and was occupied in 1907. Members of the school board were: August Wiegand, D. F. Whiteman, John McIntosh, Dr W. A. Henderson, and John Pearson. L. O. Culp was principal.

Diplomas were issued to those who had completed the four years work prescribed in the course of study. In addition to completing the course of study, students were required to write a thesis of not less than 1200 and not more than 2000 words.

The use of tobacco in any form was forbidden on the school grounds. Violation of the rule was considered cause for suspension or expulsion. During the early years various means of transportation were used to get to school. Some students rode horses to town, stabled them, and rode them home after school. Cars furnished a popular way for those who could afford them. Busing of students started during the 1940s. At first there was only one bus, and it had to make several trips to get students to school and back home. Later, more buses were added.

Hot lunches were introduced during the years 1948-1949. Meals were first served in the home economics room. Later, lunches were prepared and served in the gum. The brick gym was built in 1925, after a frame building, built three years before, was destroyed by fire. The new addition to the second building (pictured)was ready for the school year 1949-1950. The new facilities gave much needed equipment and space for science, home economics, and vocational agriculture.

Biggsville High School with Addition – 1949

Submitted by Louise Renken Reynolds

Biggsville Township High School

Biggsville, Illinois

The Class of 1960 was the last class to graduate from the old Biggsville Township High School. The Class of 1961 was the first to graduate from the new Union High School.”

The town of Biggsville is technically the address given to Union High School, though the school itself is located in the country two miles west of Biggsville at the intersection of US 94 and US 34. The fate of the original Biggsville High School building is being sought. If you have any information on Biggsville High School please write us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .

Biggsville High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s

Year deactivated: 1960

Consolidated to: Union High School (Biggsville)

School nickname: the “Red Devils”

School colors: Red & Green

School Fight Song: Submitted by Louise Renken Reynolds

BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL LOYALTY SONG (1937 version)

(University of Illinois Fight Song Tune)

We’re loyal to you Biggsville High

We’re Maroon & Green Biggsville High

We’ll back you to stand

‘gainst the best in the land

For we know you have sand

Biggsville High.

RAH! RAH!

So crack out the ball Biggsville High

We’re backing you all Biggsville High

Our team is our fame protector

On boys, for we expect a victory from you

Biggsville High.

BIGGSVILLE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL LOYALTY SONG (1950 Version)

(Frank Vorel, BHS Band Instructor)

Loyal and True, we pledge allegiance to you

This is our motto

We are one for all and all for alma mater

Here’s to our school

And long and high may she rule

Forever more you will find us

Always Loyal and True.

Biggsville High School

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Gymnasium

ATHLETICS

Biggsville High School offered basketball and probably baseball, possibly football. But make no mistake about this, they offered track and field with a bang! The Biggsville boy’s thinclads were the Illinois State Champions after the 1898-99 and 1899-1900 school years! The boy’s teams also brought home IHSA hardware in basketball winning two DIstrict titles. The great accomplishments of the Biggsville athletic program are listed below.

Biggsville Basketball 1946-47

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District / Regional Champions

BOYS BASKETBALL

The team won two District Championships coming in back to back seasons in the mid 1940s. According to Biggsville Township High School student (Class of 1949) William Lyle Slagle the basketball program had great success in the mid to late 1940s:

“The boys basketball coach during the successes of the team at least from 1945 through 1949 was Coach Stephen F. (Steve) Ingold. He also coached all other sports (football, softball, track).

The basketball team of 1946-1947 won a school record 25 games. Members of that team were Phillip Law, James Smith, Hauer Noble, Daryl (Ozzie) Baylor, Paul Allen, and Karl Henry.”

Several basketball scores involving Biggsville High School were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores and in turn are listed below.

1921-22 Monmouth DIstrict Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Seaton 19-11

Macomb Academy beat Woodhull in title game.

1922-23 through 1930-31: Postseason scores, record, & coach’s names needed.

1931-32 Roseville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Seaton 15-10

Subsequent Rounds Needed

Monmouth beat Kirkwood in title game.

1932-33 Postseason scores, record, & coach’s name needed.

1933-34 Roseville DIstrict Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Seaton 18-14

Media beat Keithsburg in title game.

1934-35 Roseville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Terre Haute 18-14

2nd Rd lost to Dallas City 34-13

Roseville beat Stronghurst in title game.

1935-36 Roseville Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Alexis 22-15

Semi-final lost to Monmouth 23-20

Macomb beat Monmouth in title game.

1936-37 Roseville Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Roseville 22-20

Macomb beat Roseville in title game.

1937-38 Stronghurst District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Media 41-21

Semi-Final lost to Good Hope 39-38

Stronghurst beat Good Hope in title game.

1938-39 Blandinsville District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Kirkwood 32-24

Semi-Final Beat Bardolph 34-27

Title Game lost to Media 20-18

Roseville Regional Tourney Qualifier

1st Rd lost to Roseville 26-17

Media beat Monmouth in title game.

1939-40 Joy Regional Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat New Windsor 36-27

Semi-Final Beat Alexis 29-27 (O/T)

Title Game lost to Aledo 45-43

Moline Sectional Tournament Qualifier

1st Rd lost to Colchester 40-22

Moline beat Rock Island in title game.

COLCHESTER (40): Hedges 12, Ja. Huston 10, Flynn 7, Duffy 7, Rundle 3, Jo. Huston 1.

BIGGSVILLE (22): Anderson 13, Dixon 4, Lewis 2, Norgart 2, Forgey 1.

1940-41 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Aledo 47-29

Aledo beat Viola in title game.

1941-42 Joy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Alexis 46-27

Viola beat Aledo in title game

1942-43 New Boston District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Matherville 30-20

Semi-Final lost to Seaton 47-22

Seaton beat New Boston in title game.

1943-44 New Boston District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed.

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to New Windsor 35-34

1944-45 21 – 4 New Boston District Champions Coach Steve Ingold

Semi-Final Score Needed

Title Game Beat New Windsor 37-33

Joy Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Viola 27-21

Alpha beat Roosevelt Military in title game.

1945-46 20 – 4 New Windsor District Champions Coach Steve Ingold

Semi-FInal Beat Seaton 25-19

Title Game Beat New Windsor 43-35

Aledo Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Sherrard 41-35

Aledo beat Alpha in title game.

1946-47 25 – 5 Aledo Regional Tournament Coach Steve Ingold

1st Rd Beat Alexis 91-29

Semi-Final lost to Sherrard 38-35

Roosevelt Military beat Sherrard in title game.

Regarding the team of 1946-47:

Check out the information provided by Lyle Slagle regarding Biggsville Township HSs great team. The names are provided in reference to the photo above to the right.

Varsity and Subs:

Front row (l to r) Karl Henry, forward; James (Jim) Smith, center; Paul Allen, guard; Phillip Law, forward; Daryl (Ozzie) Baylor, guard; Hauer Noble, forward/center.

Back row (l to r) Vernon Blake, manager; Lee Maxwell, James (Jim)

Armstrong, Lyle Slagle, Harold Barry, Coach S. F. (Steve) Ingold

Cheerleaders: (l to r) Mary Rose Smith, Lorena Downes, Carita Martin, Marcia Downes, Shirley Gibson

This team had a record of 25 wins and 5 losses.

Points scored by individuals: J. Smith (323), P. Law (266), K. Henry (279), P. Allen (166), D. Baylor (130), H. Noble (101).

Game Scores were as follows:

BHS 42 Seaton 24 BHS 46 Kirkwood 43

BHS 32 Terre Haute36 BHS 43 Little York 38

BHS 34 Kirkwood 24 BHS 68 Alexis 41

BHS 42 Gladstone 25 BHS 38 Stronghurst40

BHS 31 Abingdon 36 BHS 66 Keithsburg 26

BHS 65 Keithsburg 24 BHS 65 Seaton 35

BHS 44 Stronghurst29 BHS 49 LaHarpe 31

BHS 35 Media 28 BHS 45 Oquawka 41

BHS 46 Gladstone 10 BHS 66 Alexis 32

BHS 26 Roseville 32 BHS 51 Oquawka 28

BHS 25 Media 19 BHS 55 Wataga 36

BHS 42 Terre Haute20 BHS 52 Dallas City 48

BHS 31 Media 25 BHS 91 Alexis 29

BHS 31 Oquawka 30 BHS 35 Sherrard 38

BHS 46 Stronghurst28 BHS 25 ALUMNI 15

1947-48 Joy Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Sherrard 57-28

Aledo beat Joy in title game

1948-49 Stronghurst District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Terre Haute 57-49

Good Hope beat Terre Haute in title game.

1949-50 Blandinsville District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Lomax 52-47

Kirkwood beat Lomax in title game

1950-51 Stronghurst District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Stronghurst 56-50

Prairie City beat Stronghurst in title game.

1951-52 Postseason scores, record, & coach’s name needed.

1952-53 Gladstone District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Bardolph 69-54

Gladstone-Oquawka beat Kirkwood in title game.

1953-54 Postseason scores, record, & coach’s name needed.

1954-55 Postseason scores, record, & coach’s name needed.

1955-56 Bardolph District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Gladstone-Oquawka 58-50

Stronghurst beat Bardolph in title game.

1956-57 Gladstone District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Gladstone-Oquawka 64-58

Semi-Final lost to Bardolph 81-63

Bardolph beat Stronghurst in title game.

1957-58 Stronghurst District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Sciota NW 48-46

Semi-Final lost to Bardolph 79-65

Bardolph beat Gladstone-Oquawka in title game.

1958-59 Media District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Stronghurst 82-62

Roseville beat Gladstone-Oquawka in title game.

1959-60 Stronghurst District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

**1st Rd lost to Bardolph 55-50

Bardolph beat Stronghurst in title game.

**Final varsity boys basketball game for the Bardolph HS “Red Devils.”

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Move over Milan and Hebron, this may be an even more incredible accomplishment when you consider all of the facts. The Biggsville boys track team won back to back state championships in 1899 and 1900. They followed this up with a 8th place finish in 1909. This was accomplished under a one-class system!! One might wish to think that the competition must have been sparse for Biggsville to accomplish this so long ago. Take a look at the list of schools they had to defeat in order to win the title. Track was set up in 1899 as it is today, with one great athlete being able to dominate and bring home a team title by himself. However Biggsville’s two titles came with the great athleticism of four different athletes. Without a doubt the “stud” of the group was Cliff Bell, who brought home a total of six gold medals in three different events. Also bringing home gold was Dave Daugherty, James Stewart, and Herman Dixon. Coach of the 1899 team was J.A. Strong, and of the 1900 team was Honey Stuart. The great accomplishments, which have not been nearly enough written or talked about (in my opinion) are listed below.

1898-99 Illinois State Track Meet Team Champions!!! Coach J. A. Strong

Individual Winners

Cliff Bell 50 Yard Dash 1st Place

Cliff Bell 100 Yard Dash 1st Place

Cliff Bell 220 Yard Dash 1st Place

Dave Daugherty Standing Broad Jump 1st Place

Dave Daugherty High Jump 2nd Place

Final Team Standings

Biggsville – 23

Aurora West – 21

Chicago Hyde Pk. – 19

Chicago Englewood – 15

Taylorville – 9

Peoria HS – 7

Pontiac – 7

Decatur – 7

Charleston – 6

Chicago Lakeview, Chicago English, Rantoul, Lagrange all tied with 4 points.

1899-1900 Illinois State Track Meet Champions!!! Coach Honey Stuart

Individual Winners

Cliff Bell 50 Yard Dash 1st Place

Cliff Bell 100 Yard Dash 1st Place

Cliff Bell 220 Yard Dash 1st Place

Dave Daugherty Standing Broad Jump 1st Place

Dave Daugherty High Jump 1st Place

James Stewart 880 Yard Walk 1st Place

Ralph Cowden 880 Yard Run 2nd Place

Final Team Standings

Biggsville – 33

Chicago Englewood – 22

Decatur – 17

Taylorville – 15

Aurora West – 12

Charleston – 8

Aurora East – 6

Chicago West District, Duquoin, and Pontiac tied with 5 points

*Oscar Clifford Bell was born on 03-15-1880. He went on to attend the University of Illinois on a track scholarship after leaving Biggsville. He earned his degree from the U of I in 1902. He began law school at the age of 36 and later became an attorney and ultimately a judge in Cleveland, Ohio. Two of his medals are still in the possession of his daughter Thalia. Cliff Bell passed away in 1943.

O. C. Bell

By William Urban

Professor of History and International Studies

Monmouth College, Monmouth IL

Oscar Clifford Bell did not have to come far to make an impact on Monmouth College. Born in Biggsville March 15, 1880, to William and Sarah Martha Bell, he attended the local one-class school. In 1899 and 1990 little Biggsville won the state track championships, stunning the larger schools—Bell bought back gold in the 50 yard, 100 yard and 200 yard dashes each year.

The success of tiny Biggsville was attributed to the two star trackmen being 23 and 24 years of age, though a quick check of census records shows that this was merely jealousy on the part of the city schools. Bell was, of course, twenty in 1900, his companion twenty-one—not that unusual in an age when boys worked in the fields spring, summer and fall, and probably in his father’s store in the winter. But the athletes beaten in 1899 were so angry—according to the Chicago Tribune—that they tore up the railroad cars they were riding in, and an investigation was launched.

He accepted a track scholarship to the University of Illinois in the fall of 1900, playing football, too, as a reserve halfback for one season—the Chicago Tribune referred to him as the Biggsville sprinter; according to the Tribune, he was elected captain of the track team after the 1901 season and was the only Illinois sprinter to win races in 1902 against Michigan and was out with illness during the big match with the University of Chicago. He apparently returned home after graduation in 1902, then two years later applied for a coaching position at Monmouth College—then the largest private college in the state. (Not that big, of course—they were all tiny.) This application is not surprising. His sister Olive (born 1878, teaching music in 1900) was in the class ’06 (she later married John Burnside) and Pansy, ’03 (born 1882) was still living with Cliff and Olive from 1903 to 1906 at 416 S. Fifth, but later became a music teacher at Bethany College in Kansas.

“O.C.” Bell’s 1905-06 teams had an 18-1 record. Assisted by A. J. Taft, his football teams swept to the championship of Illinois in 1905, then lost to the University of Iowa. Most of the opposing teams were from high schools, but this was unavoidable—most colleges did not field teams. Even then, because Knox and another opponent had dropped the sport for the year, 1906 was a short season. Only Milliken managed to score points (losing 25-9), and the team concluded the season by drubbing the champion of Wisconsin and Michigan, Beloit College, 10-0 in the final game.

His specialty, of course, was track. And he coached baseball as well. The 1908 Ravelings commented that “no one in the history of the college has put forth more effort, been attended by more success, or raised athletics to a higher standard.” It helped that Monmouth was the largest college in Illinois, but the secret was that “he exercised rigid discipline and got more from his men than they thought possible.” Introducing the forward pass and the on-side kick, he went on to coach at Missouri State Normal (now Truman State) for two years.”

1908-09 Team Finished 8th at Illinois State Track Meet!

Individual Medal Winner

Herman Dixon Pole Vault 1st Place

Herman Dixon High Jump 4th Place

Other Individual Medal Winner in Biggsville High School History.

1938-39 Glen Dean Rankin 880 Yard Run 4th Place

FOOTBALL

Biggsville High School

Football Team – 1937-38

The boys of Biggsville were, according to our good friend Tom Sickorski, always a football force to be reckoned with in the old Valley conference in the 1950’s, Biggsville finished no lower than 2nd for 6 straight seasons under veteran coach Doc Evans.

1953 4-2 2nd place (tie) Valley Conference Coach Doc Evans

1954 6-1 2nd place Valley Conference Coach Doc Evans

1955 4-3 2nd place (tie) Valley Conference Coach Doc Evans

1956 6-1 2nd place Valley Conference Coach Doc Evans

1957 6-1 Valley Conference Co-Champs Coach Doc Evans

1958 5-2 2nd place Valley Conference Coach Doc Evans

1959 3-4 (last team as Biggsville) Coach Sherman Stevenson

Seeking Further Information

We are seeking further information on any other sports offered at Biggsville High. It would also be interesting to know what happened to the great athletes such as Cliff Bell and Dave Daugherty. Did they pursue track in college? Where are the medals and trophies that they won?

If you would like to supply us with this information please complete a School Submission Form or Guest Commentary Form. we especially enjoy photos of the school buildings, teams, coaches, and athletes that excelled at Biggsville High School. You may e-mail us a ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Biggsville High School

School Auditorium

High School Gym Entrance

Biggsville High School

Biggsville Township HS Class of 1949

The photo of the Biggsville HS Class of 1949 was provided by Lyle Slagle. Class members include:

Top Row: Lyle Slagle, C.K. Winn, Charles Noble

Row 2: Dorothy Ann Welch, Irene Stevenson

Row 3: Emery Moffitt, Robert Armstrong

Row 4: Marie Welch, Arba Lubke, May Winn, Ivan Jones, Joyce Patterson

Bottom Row: Harry Alecock, Neva Jean Hurka, Richard Mumey, Alice Day, Lee Campbell

Rear of 1907 Post Card

Text, letter

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Submitted by Louise Renken Reynolds (addressed to Jennie Morton)

Big Rock Township High School “Panthers”

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Big Rock High School and Grade School

Courtesy of 1951 Yearbook Sent by Helen McGrady

The History of Big Rock Township High School

The township of Big Rock is located in southwestern Kane County on U.S. Route 30 at Rhodes Avenue, edging ever closer to being called a western Chicago suburb. The IHSA web site places the Big Rock town population at 800, while our research of the official 2000 Illinois Census lists it as a rapidly growing city with a population at that time (2000) of 1,938. A city of note near Big Rock is Aurora, about 10 miles to the west. The Burlington Northern Railroad runs through town. Big Rock is slowly being preyed upon by the Chicago metropolitan area and will soon be (if it isn’t already) considered a western suburb of Chicago.

It was after the 1957 school year that Big Rock area residents found it in their best interest to merge with nearby Hinckley. According to Elton Lash, the final graduating class of Big Rock High School included Jim Ford, Dianne Dummett, Sandra Brackett, Lee Jump, Judy Thompson, Phyllis Morse, Harlan Schmidt, Ron Fritsch, Alice Kammes, and George Eberly. The creation of the Hinckley – Big Rock school system is a fact. Hinckley – Big Rock High School is still going strong today.

The fate of the original Big Rock High School building is unknown. There is still a Big Rock Elementary School for grades K – 8 in town.

Big Rock Township High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s

Year closed: 1957

School nickname: the “Panthers”

School colors: Blue & Gold

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

We are in need of a lot of assistance regarding the accomplishments and sports offered at Big Rock Township High School. It is a fact they offered boys basketball. It is also thought baseball and track were offered at the school. We are hopeful for assistance from an area fan to fill in the details. The only IHSA (www.ihsa.org) mention of Big Rock Township High School is listed below.

Boys Basketball

The boys basketball team at Big Rock won one District title. It was during the 1947-48 school year. The coach’s name and team record is not availalble.

The team of 1950-51 (pictured to your right) was also quite successful. An overall record of 22 – 7 was highlighted by the Panther’s claiming the Yorkville Holiday Tournament Championship. Big Rock also battled their way into the championship of the District tournament that year before falling to Hickley 41 – 38 in overtime. Members of the team included Bob Biehl, Arthur Hunt, Bob James, Elton Lash, Howard Lee, Jim Lee, Elton Ness, Dick Phillips and Leon Thurow. Phillips and Lash were the team’s leading scorers.

1947-48 District Champions

1949-50 22 – 5 Co-Champs Little 8 Conf. Coach M.M. Fickas

**Co-Champs with Hampshire in

regular season conf race at 8-2

**Runners-up in Little Eight Conf

Tourney losing to Hampshire 35-25

**Yorkvile Holiday Tourney Champs

d. Elburn 36-32

d. Minooka 40-27

d. Plano 43-33 in title game

Big Rock High School Basketball 1949-50

A group of people posing for a photo

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Left click on photo for larger view.

1950-51 22 – 7 Yorkvile Holiday Tourney Champs

District Runner-up

Big Rock HS Panthers of 1951

Thank you to Helen McGrady

Big Rock HS Band of 1951

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Courtesy of Helen McGrady

Memories

From Helen Murry McGrady (Grade School Eighth Grade Class of 1952):

“The biggest things going on in the school from spring of 1950 through 1953, when I attended, were basketball, band, chorus, field and track. For a small school, there was great participation. In the winter the gym was used for noon time basketball while the stage was set up with ping-pong tables and there were tournaments. There was a huge field out back and there was where the outdoor events were held for grade and high schools.

It was a wonderful experience attending Big Rock schools. The grade school took us on a lot of field trips to Chicago, Hager Potter, Borden Ice Cream, Avon, Brookfield Zoo and high school took us to some plays. I think one was “Call Me Madam”, maybe that was the one with Ethel Merman. Great memories.”

If You Have Any Information…

…you would like to share regarding the many successses and accomplishments attained by the Big Rock Township High School students please send them to us so we can share them with others. We are especially interested in a photo of the old school building and great teams, players, and coaches of the Big Rock past. You can e-mail these items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Bible Grove High School “Bees”

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

The History of Bible Grove High School

Bible Grove (population approximately 125) is located in southeastern Illinois in the northeastern portion of Clay County. It is situated on County Highway 8 just east of County Highway 2. U.S. Route 45 passes by about 4 miles to the west as well. The town is about 20 miles south (and a little east) of Effingham. According to www.mapquest.com the town is about 5 blocks from east to west and 3 blocks from north to south.

The area was first settled in 1835. The township was given its name when a band of hunters found a Bible in a grove in the area. The book titled “The History of Wayne and Clay Counties Illinois“, which was written in 1884, tells us that the town of Bible Grove may have originally been named Georgetown. A post office was established in town in 1854.

The history of the school system in Bible Grove is in need of research. We know that in the 1880s there were several small school districts in Bible Grove Township. It is likely that a two or three-year high school was established in the early 1920s. It is probable that Bible Grove High School was active through 1947. Today the kids of Bible Grove attend school at the county seat of Louisville in the North Clay School District.

Bible Grove High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1920s?

Year closed: 1947

Consolidated to: Louisville North Clay High School

Bible Grove HS team nickname: “Bees”

Bible Grove HS team colors: Unavailable

Bible Grove HS fight song: Unavailable

ATHLETICS

We only know of the existence of Bible Grove High School through the efforts of a website located at http://sites.google.com/site/xtmi2000/ . The website lists some of the early District and Sectional tournament scores from the IHSA. We know that Bible Grove High School lost to Iola High School in the 1935 District Tourney held in Effingham by a score of 38 – 17.

Therefore basketball was a part of the Bible Grove High School athletic program. It is possible that baseball and track were played as well. We are searching for team records, coaches names, school team colors, nickname and fight song.

Boys Basketball

The following information was located on a website titled “Illinois postseason Basketball Scores.” If you have any further information including season records and coach’s names please contact us.

1933-34 Flora District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Odin 24-15

Odin lost in 2nd Rd.

1934-35 Effingham District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Iola 38017

Iola lost in 2nd Rd

1935-36 Flora District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Iola 30-15

Iola lost in semi-final

1936-37 through school’s closing scores, records, and coaches’ names are needed.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

With athletics being offered, it is likely that other activities such as FFA, FHA, GAA were offered as well. Dances, student government, and plays were also probably a part of the Bible Grove experience.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION TO SHARE

If you have information to share regarding Bible Grove High School please send us an e-mail at IHSGDWEBSITE@COMCAST.NET . We are also looking for photos of the school building. Our mailing address is:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il. 60631