The History of Anchor High School Anchor (population 175) is located in eastern McLean County on Illinois Route 165. The town began to form in 1879 when local farmer Daniel Stewart platted the town on his land to entice the railroad to build tracks through it. The town was dubbed “Anchor” by George Buck, an ordained minister of the day. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad owns tracks which take a curve through the center of town. A branch of the Mackinaw River also flows through town. Anchor Township began an educational system for its children in 1858. Following construction of a new school in 1895, a first year of high school studies were added to the grade school program in 1896, followed by a second year in 1907. In 1916 the school gained state recognition as a high school when it added a third year to the curriculum. The fourth year was set in place in 1922, which required a gymnasium. classrooms, and an assembly hall to be added on in 1923-24.
It is known that Anchor High School existed through the late 1940’s when a consolidation effort between the neighboring high schools of Anchor, Cooksville, and Colfax took place. It became a reality in 1949 when Octavia High School was formed and all students were brought to Colfax. The Anchor school building was used as a grade school for the Octavia school system for a while before eventually being phased out. The fate of the original Anchor High School building is, like all to many other small communites, a sad one. The Anchor School building was torn down in 1975. A second consolidation effort took place between Octavia High School and Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School in 1989. The children of Anchor still attend school in Colfax but now as part of the Ridgeview School System. A good account of the history of Colfax Ridgeview High School and Anchor’s role in its development can be found at: http://www.ridgeviewfootball.us/story.htm. Anchor High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1895 Year closed: 1949 School Building now: Torn down in 1975 School nickname: the “Aces” School colors: Orange & Blue School Fight Song: “Anchor High Loyalty” Sung to the Illinois University Fight Song tune – click below left to listen. We’re loyal to you Anchor High We’re orange and blue, Anchor High We’ll back you to stand ‘Gainst the best in the land For we know you have sand, Anchor High! Rah! Rah! So crack out the ball, Anchor High We’re backing you all, Anchor High Our team is our fame protector: On boys, for we expect a Victory from you Anchor High!
Che-he, cha-ha, cha-ha-ha-ha, Anchor High School Rah, Rah, RAH!
Fling out that dear old flag of Orange and Blue, Lead on your sons and daughters Fighting for you Like men of old, on giants. Placing reliance, shouting defiance Oskee-wow-wow——— Amid the broad green plains that nourish our land, For honest Labor and for Learning we stand. And unto thee we pledge our heart and our hand, Dear Alma Mater, ANCHOR HIGH! |
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Albion Community High School “Lions”
The History of Albion High School Albion (population 1,933) is located in southeastern Illinois and is the County Seat of Edwards County. The Illinois Routes of 130 and 15 intersect in the middle of Albion. The Southern Railroad makes its way through the south side of town. There is also a creek that flows to the east of town and a lake that sits to the south of town. For location sake, two towns of note in Albion’s area include Mt. Carmel 10 miles to the east and Mt. Vernon about 45 miles to the west. According to the Illinois Trails web site, http://iltrails.org/edwards/index.html , Albion was “laid out” in 1830 by Morris Birkback and George Flower. It was not until 1860 however that the town became officially incorporated. Albion began making schooling available for its children in the late 1800s. At some point Albion offered High School courses for its kids. The high school served Albion for about four decades. In the late 1940s all of the school districts in Edwards County agreed to consolidate their efforts to form one unified district in the county. This would include the towns of Bone Gap, Browns, Ellery, West Salem, Albion, and several small country school districts. It was decided to house the new high school in the town of Albion. The new district was named Edwards County School District and began operations in the fall of 1949 with the high school being located in Albion (see also www.echs.edwrds.k12.il.us/ for more information on this consolidation). The Albion High School building pictured above was not the original, and has since been torn down. Albion High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s Year closed: 1949 Building used for: Edwards County High School School nickname: the “Lions” School colors: Red & Black School Fight Song: unavailable |
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Aledo Academy
| Aledo Academy School Building – (Photo Taken 2008) | |||||||||
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| Courtesy of Timothy Jarman | |||||||||
The Aledo Academy
Written by Eric Long, ‘98
When first approaching the venerable old house from S. E. 6th Street in Aledo, Illinois, one forms the image of a stately large nineteenth century home. Once inside, however, a person sees how the former Aledo Academy made a top rated prep school. High ceilings, narrow hallways, spacious box-shaped classrooms and transoms above the doors give the building an air of dignity reserved for old schools. One can imagine students pounding hardwood floors, running up and down the twisting staircase of the home at 210 S. E. 6th Street in Aledo. Behind this impression of the past is an interesting story.
The Academy was built in 1874, by the Wylie brothers, John M. and James Renwick Wylie, because of an interesting land lease from the lot’s proprietors, John McKinney, Sr., Tyler McWhorter and Harvey S. Senter. The agreement stated that the Wylie brothers could acquire the land if they would construct a school on Block Number 132 Aledo. Some specifications of this contract were that the school must be completed within seven months from the date of the contract (June 13, 1874), and then qualified teachers procured to perform classes for one academic year. All of this could have an expenditure of not less than two thousand dollars. Upon completing these tasks, the brothers would come into possession of the land.
Why would the trustees of this lot want to make such an agreement? Probably, because of late 1800’s efforts to transform Aledo into a bustling hub of academia, a high school institution of high quality was needed.
The Wylie brothers succeeded and ran a very proficient school. Subject matter was the usual expected of a high school in the 1800’s. English, Latin and German were taught by John Wylie while his brother James taught math and science. Both were efficient instructors possessing great knowledge of their subjects. The school even had a telescope and astronomy was taught. The student body came from Aledo and towns and country nearby. Sixty to Sixty-five students were usually enrolled, but at one time eighty attended (102 students were attracted the first term). The curriculum required three years completion. More than seventy teachers were educated there and many of the graduates attended colleges like Knox or Monmouth, after attaining their diplomas from the academy. Many of the graduates became important cogs of the surrounding communities. Large numbers of the students were United Presbyterians as were the Wylies. However, the school was non denominational. Normally three sessions were held each year. The Fall Term began in early September while the Winter Term began in early December. The final term was the Spring Term and it began in April. In an advertisement in the Aledo Weekly Record on August 19, 1874, the Tuition was announced. The Fall and Spring Terms cost $10.00 each while the Winter Term cost $12.00. The advertisement also stated that the tuition needed to be paid in advance.
These early accomplishments were in danger of going unheeded when John sold his share to his brother and he went into the ministry. Reasons for the change were unclear. At any rate, James became the sole proprietor of the Block 132 with its school house in 1879. The History of Mercer County (1882) tells us that James R. Wylie, the remaining brother, was a member of the Mercer County Scientific and Historical Society in the early 1880’s. He spoke to the group on the Metric System, Crystallography and also Embryology. Remember that James was the science teacher. A former student of Mr. Wylie’s was R. G. Pinkerton, and he was a 1883 graduate of the academy. Mr. Pinkerton complemented his old teacher when he said that Mr. J. R. Wylie was, “one of the best and most efficient instructors I ever knew. He taught me how to think and get to my feet and tell what I knew.” In 1915 Mr. Pinkerton visited his old teacher and friend along with his wife in Denver where they later resided. However the Aledo Academy did its duty as a fine school until the Aledo High School became an academically stronger institution. Because the academy was a private school requiring tuition, it could not compete with a free school and fell by the wayside, closing for good in 1893. The property was sold shortly to Mrs. Della McWhorter Harr. One interesting side note of the school was the story of its bell. The bell was cast in 1848 in Ohio and installed on the steamship Saint Ange. Ice on the Mississippi destroyed the ship in 1854. An Oquawka businessman, John McKinney Sr., one of the original proprietors of Lot 132 in Aledo, bought the salvaged bell in Saint Louis and installed it on the Oquawka church he attended. McKinney left the river town of Oquawka in 1873 and established a bank in Aledo. The bell soon followed McKinney to Aledo, to the Wylie Academy. At the school the bell helped teach punctuality, but more importantly it called students and community together for the Friday evening socials. The bell later was installed at the Messiah Lutheran Church. Thus the 1893 closing, ended another chapter in the history of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois. Now the former Aledo Academy (also called, by some, the Wylie Academy) is the Aledo home of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Kaempfer. Aledo Academy Quick Facts Year Opened: 1874 Year Closed: 1893 OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE Goes out to Timothy Jarman and Eric Long who provided the entire block of information for this page!! We Welcome Your Assistance If you have information to share regarding Aledo Academy High School and its many great years of service to the Aledo community, we are hopeful that you will share it with us. Photos of teams and the school building along with the team nickname and colors, the fight song, and many more bits of information would be interesting and fun to share. 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 |
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Roosevelt Military Academy “Rough Riders”
| Aledo Roosevelt Military Acedemy | |||||||||
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The History of the Roosevelt Military Academy “Rough Riders”
The community of Aledo, located on Il. Rt. 17 at Il. Rt. 94 about 20 miles south of Moline, and Mercer County have had a military presence since the War of 1812. The U.S. Government plotted a Military Tract for use for payment to volunteer soldiers who served. Decendents of those may have attended the William and Vashti College prior to the Great War (World War I). After the war, the college closed down and it was taken over by a unit from Osewgo, Kansas. The Illinois Military School was formed in 1924, but went bankrupt during the Great Depression. The Academy re-opened under the name Roosevelt Military Academy. It prepped up students who wold go on to serve in World War II, the Korean War, and later the Vietnam War. Here is an example of what student life was at the Academy: 6:30 a.m. – First call 6:40 a.m. – Reveille and setting-up exercises 7:00 a.m. – Breakfast 7:45 a.m. – Inspection of quarters 8:00 a.m. – Chapel execrises 8:05 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Classes and study 11:30 a.m. – Physical drill 12:00 noon – Lunch 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Classes and study 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. – Military drill 4:00 p.m. – Athletics and recreation 6:00 p.m. – Supper 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. – Study period 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. – Recreation 9:15 p.m. – Call to quarters 9:30 p.m. – Taps When the Vietnam War hit in the late 1960’s, the school was faced with pressure from activists who were against military academies. Roosevelt Military Academy closed it’s doors in 1973 and it’s buildings have remained dormant ever since. An excellent website, which covers the history of the Roosevelt Military Academy including current alumni events, is found at the following web address: The website was brought to our attention by Bob Fritz, RMA Class of ’65. Bob is the President of the Roosevelt Military Academy Rough Rider Association. One fair warning though, if you plan to visit the site set aside some extra time for yourself, you will be there awhile! Also, special thanks to Dick Larke for providing most of the photos on this page.
Roosevelt Military Academy “Quick Facts”: Year opened: 1924 Year closed: 1973 Nickname: The “Rough Riders” or “Cadets” School Colors: Scarlet and Gray School Paper: The Megaphone (I.M.S.) School Building: Dormant, Administration Building has since been demolished but others remain
Athletics The Roosevelt Military Academy offered extra-curriculars for a period of time, including Basketball and Football. They won an IHSA Regional Championship in Basketball in 1946-47. The only known record available on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) is the recognition of the Regional Championship Basketball team from 1946-47. An “R” Club was formed to serve the Academy in extra-curricular needs. The Illinois Military School (Roosevelt’s sucessor) offered sports during it’s short existance. We know of basketball, football and tennis being offered. Capt. Donald Kinney was the athletic coach during this time. According to a 1932 Geneseo High School yearbook, Roosevelt Military defeated the Maple Leafs in Football, therefore we know that Roosevelt offered Football as a sport and as far back as 1932. It is also believed the Cadets were a member of the “Bi-County Conference” in the 1960s. Basketball As mentioned above, the Regional Championship of 1947 highlighted the Rough Riders basketball success. 1946-47 Regional Champions
Football The following records for the football program at Roosevelt Military Academy were provided by our good friend Tom Sikorski. 1962 5-1-2 2nd place Bi County Conference 1964 4-4 3rd place Bi County Conference Coach Don Jaschke 1965 5-3 Bi County Conference Co-Champs Coach Don Jaschke Drama Competition The Drama Team from Roosevelt Military Academy had a very successful program in the early 1940s. The team from the 1940-41 school year competed on the “State” level and finished 3rd overall!
Seeking More Information If you have any further information you would like to share regarding Roosevelt Military Academy, and even the Illinois Military School, before its closure, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631
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Alexander High School
| Alexander School Building | |||||||||
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| http://www.franklinhigh.com/AlexanderGrade/AlexanderMain2.htm | |||||||||
The History of Alexander High School
Alexander (population approximately 200) is located in central Illinois about 20 miles west of Springfield. Alexander sits on Illinois Route 123 about a mile south of Interstate Highway 72. The Norfolk & Western Railroad travels through Alexander. The town was platted in 1857 and named after a gentleman named John Alexander. It sits in the east-central area of Morgan County.
A high school in Alexander was likely in place by the late 1800s. Joe Dewees provided the following information regarding Alexander High School:
“At least during the 1940’s the Alexander High School was a 3 year high school. Students wanting to graduate from a 4 year high school would transfer for their senior year to either Franklin High School or Jacksonville High School.”
Alexander High School was annexed with its nearby neighbor Franklin High School in the Fall of 1951. The high school-aged students of Alexander began attending Franklin High School at that point, and continue to do so to this day.
Anne Hohimer, who graduated from Franklin High School, was a member of the Franklin 8th grade class which was the first to merge with the Alexander 8th Grade class during Alexander’s last year open as a high school.. Anne remembers the merger well:
“In 1951 the Alexander eighth grade school graduating class was merged with the Franklin grade school graduating class due to the fact that the Alexander High School was being closed and the students would start high school at Franklin in the fall. It is at that time I met many of the people who would be my classmates in high school.
There were 44 total graduates in the class, 25 were from Franklin, a few from Nortonville, which was the other school in the consolidation.
It has been more than 50 years now and we became a class in every sense of the word. Being a rural community most of the students rode school buses, so the Alexander (and Nortonville) people did not stand out as being “away from here”.”
Happily, the school building in Alexander is still in use. All of the students in the Franklin District attend grades 2 – 5 in Alexander with K – 1 and 6 – 12 being held in Franklin.
Alexander High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s
Year closed: 1951
Consolidated to: Franklin High School
Alexander HS team nickname: unavailable
AHS team colors: unavailable
AHS Fight Song: unavailable
| Sports and Extra-Curricular Activities
We are seeking a lot of assistance here. It is probable that basketball, baseball, and track were all offered tot he boys of Alexander High School. There is no mention of the school on the IHSA website however that we could find (www.ihsa.org). If you have ANY information regarding the school and sports it may have competed in please contact us. Seeking Further Information There is no record on the IHSA web site regarding the Alexander High School athletic teams. If you have information regarding athletics or any other information you wish to share regarding the ALexander High School please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631 |
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Alexis High School “Cardinals”
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Alhambra High School “Leopards”
| Alhambra High School Building – Built in 1921 | |||||||||
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| Photograph Taken by Douglas Combs | |||||||||
| Sign Above School’s Main Entrance |
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| Courtesy of Douglas Combs |
The History of Alhambra High School
Alhambra (population 630) is located in southeastern Illinois in the northeastern portion of Madison County. Illinois Route 140 is the the roadway that leads you to and from Alhambra from the east and west. Route 140 connects Alhambra to Interstate Highway 55 just two miles to the west. The Norfolk Southern Railroad passes through the west side of town. The town’s is named after a fortress palace in Granada, Spain.
The history of the town of Alhambra is in need of research. We could not find this information on the internet resources we utilize. The history of the school system in town is needed as well. We do know that Alhambra once supported a three-year high school. We believe this school would have been established in the early 1920s. We know that Alhambra students wishing to obtain a four-year high school diploma had to complete the required courses at nearby Highland.
| Alhambra High School Building Cornerstone |
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| Photograph by Doug Combs |
Our guess is that Alhambra High School served the town through the middle to late 1940s. It was likely then that Alhambra completely closed the high school portiion of the school and sent all children wishing to attend high school (from freshman year on up) to Highland.
We know that Alhambra school continued on as a K – 8 elementary school for several years (approximately 40) after the high school closed. At some point the Alhambra School District was annexed to the Highland School District. Alhambra School continued for several more years as a PK – 6 Elementary School. In the past year or so the school has been established as a PK – 2 Elementary School for the Highland School District.
The former Alhambra High School building was demolished in 2010 to make way for new construction for the Alhambra Elementary School.
Alhambra High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 19-teens / early 1920s?
Year closed: late 1940s?
Consolidated to: Highland High School
Alhambra HS team nickname: the “Leopards”?
Alhambra HS team colors: Orange & Black?
School Fight Song: unavailable
| Athletics
We know that Alhambra High School boys competed in the sport of basketball. It is quite likely that baseball and track were offered as well. The current Alhambra Elementary School utilizes the Leopard as its mascot and the colors of Orange & Black as its school’s official colors. Is it possible these were the original high school’s mascot and team uniform colors as well? We are searching for this information as well as team records, coach’s names, and any other information you may have regarding Alhambra High School athletics. Boys Basketball We know that AHS competed in boys basketball in 1934-35. That year the boys played a varsity game against nearby Greenville High School. Any information you have regarding Alhambra basketball would be welcome to share with others on this page. Extra-Curricular Activities School dances, plays, FFA, FHA, band, chorus, and many other events were probably a big part of the Alhambra High School experience. If you have any information on this side of the AHS experience, please write to us via the means listed below. If You Have Any Further Information Please forward any further information to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. Photos and other information are welcome. You can also write to us at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631 |
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Allendale High School “Yellowjackets”
The History of Allendale High School Allendale (population 528) is located on Il. Route 1, about 8 miles north of Mt. Carmel. This places Allendale in southeastern Illinois, in the northeast portion of Wabash County. Allendale is approximately three miles west of the Indiana state boarder. Information is needed regarding the town of Allendale and it’s school system. The high school was probably established in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s. It was in the mid 1980’s that talks of closing Allendale High School and merging it with nearby Mt. Carmel High began. These talks became a reality after the 1986-87 school year. Some information regarding Allendale High School were provided to us by former student Paula Logue: “I attended Allendale from 2nd Grade through 9th Grade. Allendale High School consolidated with Mt. Carmel High School in the Fall of 1987. That was my first year attending MCHS. They stopped using the old building and gym at that time. The old building wasn’t destroyed by the tornado January 7th, 1989. It did endure extensive damage and it was decided to tear it down. The old gym did have bleachers on both sides. At one end of the gym was a stage where many plays and shows were performed. AHS had basketball, baseball, volleyball and other sports.” Allendale continues to support a K-8 school in town. Allendale High School System Year opened: late 1800’s/early 1900’s Year closed: 1987 Annexed to: Mt. Carmel High School School nickname: the “Yellowjackets” School colors: Purple & Gold School Fight Song: “Allendale School Fight Song” Words provided by Franklin Pemberton and Brooke Leek Shoot for the basket Add to the score, Make Allendale The victor once more! You’re the team Should we lose We’ll rise again To fight, fight For Allendale!! The “unofficial” AHS fight song in honor of the fighting spirit of the Allendale Yellowjackets: “Purple and Gold” Sung to “Its A Grand Old Flag” It’s a grand ball team, tho’ we don’t like to brag And it’s worth, we will prove to you soon They’re the idol of the school we have That fights for the Purple and Gold. We’ll stick by them, tho’ we lose or win And our faith will not fail The other teams may be forgot Take your hat off to Allendale!! |
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Allerton High School “Bulldogs”
The History of Allerton High School Allerton (population 293) is located in east-central Illlinois in the far southwestern corner of Vermilion County. A portion of the town is also located in southeastern Champaign County placing Allerton about 20 miles southeast of Champaign/Urbana. Illinois Route 49 is the main roadway leading you to and from town and intersects with County E 300 North at Allerton. The Goodall Branch flows to the east of town and the Missourri Pacific Railroad (formerly the C & E I(Central and Eastern Illinois) layed tracks through Allerton. This railroad however no longer exists as the tracks have been removed. Allerton was platted in 1887 by Samuel Allerton and was named after him. The photo to the right was located on the website www.infinityfarms.com. A story of one person’s life growing up in Allerton in the 50s and 60s can be found on the webpage of http://staff.ed.uiuc.edu/cgodwin/Home/allerton.html. A history of the Allerton school system was provided to us by Glenn Archer (see track & field accomplishments below). Glenn found the history in a 1941 yearbook from Allerton High School. It is copied word for word below: Allerton Community High School A Brief History “The growth of a high school or any school may be licensed to the growth of a home. As the family increases in numbers, as the horizon broadens, new rooms may be added to accommodate that growth.” “We would like to trace briefly the growth of our house, and, much more important, the growth of the group within. But to understand fully the history of this school we must understand something of the careers of the schools which served this community.” “The first school was opened in Allerton September 2d, 1892, in a small frame school house that had been moved from one mile north of town, with Chas. Smeeton, Sr. as teacher. Meanwhile movement was started by which we were granted a new district, by two of the Trustees, viz, Taylor Gerlaugh and J.J. Southworth.” “This district was formed out of territory from four districts, and comprised eight sections of land. The Board of Directors for the new district was J.H. Herron, Geo. Allen, Sr., and Joseph Warters.” “S.W. Allerton, of Chicago, donated twenty-five hundred dollars toward the erection of a five-thousand dollar building. A meeting was held, and bonds to the amount of three thousand dollars were issued and sold to Dr. E.L. Hardman for the building and furnishing of said school building.” “The new district had much opposition, and after the decision of the County Superintendents of both Champaign and Vermilion Counties had been sanctioned by the Circuit Court of Champaign County, the parties in opposition carried the suit to the Supreme Court, where the decision was rendered in favor of the new district. Meanwhile Architect Ennis of Danville, had drawn plans for a four-roomed building, with all the necessary halls and cloak rooms. A substantial brick building took the place of the old frame one.” “The year of 1894 found the new building, housing the grade and two year high school, opened with Chas. Smeeten principal, and Miss Emma Mozier, of Danville, primary teacher, Miss Myra Mendenhall, of Vermilion Grove, E.J. Vines, Margretta Parks, and Minnie Shaw were among the first teachers of the new building. This school was the abode of the ambitious and industrious seeking to better to equip themselves for the future. This remained the seat of learning of the community until it was destroyed by fire December 27, 1921.” “The present four year, accredited, Community High School was then built. It was completed and ready for use by September, 1923.” “In this exceedingly well equipped house of ours, the Allerton School, boards with the financial support of the community has provided us with as well trained a set of foster parents as it can procure.” “It remains for us, the student body, for whom all this has been done, to justify the vast expenditure of time, money, and energy, that has gone into the making of ALLERTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL.”
As stated above, a brick Allerton School building was built in 1923. In the mid-1950s a consolidation effort was launched between the towns of Allerton, Broadlands, and Longview. In 1953 it was decided to consolidate the school districts. The new district was named the A-B-L School District with the high school located in Broadlands. The above photo of the Allerton High School building was sent to us by Bob Hageman. It is actually the front of a postcard sent by Bob’s great aunt, Ada Runyon of Allerton, to her sister, Dewey Runyon of Danville. The back of the post card explained that Ada would be attending the first home game in Allerton’s new gymnasium and would not make it to Danville until the next morning, on a Saturday. The year of the postcard is illegible, however the card and writing are a treasure. You can view the back of the post card at the bottom of this page. Thank you to Bob Hageman for sharing it with us! The Allerton school building was used as a grade school for the A-B-L District until 1975. It was decided by the District to close the Allerton school after that school year. The building was demolished in 1977.”(Thank you to Sherry (Smith) Kamphaus for the history of the Allerton school building.) Further information was provided by Sally Duchow: “The centennial history states that the old HS building burned Dec. 27, 1921 (story quoted from the _Allerton Sun_ newspaper). After the fire, the high school students were taught in the opera house above Black’s store. The new building, built in 1922 (pictured above), opened with a four-year high school in September 1923. The first HS graduate was Hattie Black Goodall in 1898. An 1899 clipping from the _Allerton Times_ documents a baseball team and notes an enrollment in the HS of 37. Teachers, school board members, and other details are listed in this history. Samuel Allerton (1828-1914), who platted the village, made his fortune in Chicago after 1860 in agricultural investments, livestock markets, and banking. He founded First National Bank of Chicago in 1863 and owned Allerton Packing Co. in Chicago. Allerton purchased a 4,400 acre tract of land in 1880 from the Singer Sewing Machine founder J.G. Clark. He had previously visited the area when duck hunting with friends from Chicago. The Allertons also had substantial land holdings and made their home in the Monticello IL area.
After the building was not longer in use, my father Ernst Mohr purchased it so that it would not be mis-used and linger in a deteriorated state. He platted the school ground for an addition to the town. Nine homes built from ca. 1980 occupy the former school grounds. He also arranged for the tympanum to be built into a brick arch on the grounds as a historical remembrance. Usable materials salvaged from the school building include chalk boards, light fixtures, and the kitchen cupboard doors. The original schoolhouse cornerstone was placed in the Allerton Historical Society museum. The town’s centennial history, “A Century of Roots: Allerton, Illinois 1887-1987,” has school history and many photographs on pp. 53-60 (photocopies can be obtained through interlibrary loan–ask at your local library).” Allerton High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s First graduate: 1898 Year brick building built: 1923 Year HS closed: 1953 Consolidated to: A-B-L School District (Broadlands) Allerton HS team nickname: the “Bulldogs” Team colors: Red & White School Fight Song: unavailable
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Alma High School
The History of Alma High School Alma (population 386) is located in south-central Illinois in north-central Marion County. Illinois Route 37 angles through town from northeast to southwest. Interstate Highway 57 travels just west of town as well. The Illinois Central Railroad parallels Route 37 and travels through Alma too. Alma is located about 55 miles east of East St. Louis and 60 miles south of Decatur. Alma was named after a battle in the Crimean War (Europe) in which the French defeated the Russian army. This was a very newsworthy event in 1856, the year Alma was established. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Alma) The following history of the town and its educational beginnings was provided to us via research conducted by Jamie Driskill: “The Centralia Sentinel”; Centralia, IL; Aug. 6, 1910 p. 122; The Village of Alma The village of Alma was laid out and platted by John S. Martin in 1854. Additions have been made since by J.S. Martin, M. French, Samuel J. Tilden, S. McCullough, L.C. Pullen, N.D. Laughlin, L.C. Pullen, N.D. Laughlin, and J.W. Ross. The village is situated in sections 6 and 7, Alma township. The first stone house on the site of the original town was built by Dr. T.O. Hatton, father of Mrs. C.M. See. The town was first named Rantoul. As there was a town in the state by that name, the postoffice was named Grand Mound City in 1855. The town and postoffice were changed to Alma Dr. T.O. Hatton was the first doctor, the first merchant, and the first postmaster. Other postmasters have been: J.S. Martin, R.C. O’Bryant, J.R. Sloane, H.L. Allmon, C.M. See, T.E. Mayes, N. Warner, MV. Helton, I.A. Sprouse, T.B. McCartan (incumbent), H.P. Winks.
The first teacher in Alma public schools was Hugh Moor. Alma has had as teachers, J.B. Abbott, J.E. Whitchurch, and J.S. Knisley – in all four men who were county superintendents of schools.” The exact dates of operation for the high school in Alma are a little cloudy. We believe that Alma High School may never have offered more than two-years of high school education. Alma High School ceased offering high school curriculum in 1940. The high school-aged students of Alma were bused to Kinmundy to attend Kinmundy High School beginning in the Fall of 1940. The Alma School District continued to support a 1 – 8 grade school for 12 more years. It was in 1952 that the school districts of Kinmundy and Alma actually consolidated. It appears in research conducted on the neighboring town of Kinmundy that Kinmundy-Alma High School District was established in the Summer of 1952. The brick Alma High School building served as a grade school through at least the late 1970s. This building was raised in 1979. The Alma grade school building was utilized as part of the Kinmundy-Alma School District for several years, probably into the early 2000s. The building now sits, nicely kept, likely privately owned
Alma High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1920s? Year Alma High School closed: 1940 HS Students Began Attending: Kinmundy High School Year Kinmundy & Alma School Districts consolidated: 1952 Consolidated to: Kinmundy-Alma School District Alma HS team nickname: unavailable Alma HS team colors: Purple & White(?) Alma HS Fight Song: unavailable Athletics Alma High School competed in boys basketball with other schools in the area. It is probable that baseball and possibly track were offered as well. It is possible that Alma High School athletic teams did not utilize a mascot or have a school fight song. Coach’s names and team records are needed as well. If you have this information, please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.
Boys Basketball Scores involving Alma High School participating in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below. Season records, coaches’ names, and other information regarding Alma High School basketball are needed. 1922-23 through 1932-33 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed. 1933-34 Flora District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed 1st Rd lost to Parkersburg 27-21 Parkersburg lost to Louisville in 2nd Rd 1934-35 Effingham District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed 1st Rd Beat Sigel 33-18 2nd Rd lost to Teutopolis 41-10 T-town lost to Salem in title game 1935-36 Odin District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed 1st Rd lost to Odin 45-15 Odin lost to Trenton in title game 1936-37 through 1939-40 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed. Extra-Curricular Activities We are sure that attending Alma High School was an well-rounded experience. School plays, dances, clubs, and other activities were probably offered to the students who attended there. If you have any of this information, please contact us via the means listed below. To Provide Further Information On Alma High School Contact us via e-mial at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can also mail items to as at: IHSGD Website 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631 |
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