| The History of Techny Brothers Candidates High School
Techny (located in unincorporated northern Cook County near Northbrook) was formed by the American branch of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) near what was once called Shermerville. The order was given the deed to a 337-acre farm in June 1899 after arriving in the United States four years earlier, sent by its founder, Saint Arnold Janssen. Illinois 43, also known as Waukegan Road, passes nearby as do a pair of railroads. The community was known for farming as well as working in the building trades, and established a technical school in 1901, which is the reason for the name Techny. Over time, the Divine Word order phased out farming and annexed a majority of its land to the village of Northbrook, doing so in 1989, when only 157 acres remained, and is today used as Techny Towers Conference & Retreat Center. In addition to having a mission office, its province center, and residence for retired members, the order also kept its post office and zip code as a result of an agreement with Northbrook officials. |
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Tampico High School “Trojans”
The History of the Tampico Trojans |
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(Tamms) Alexander County Central High School “Eagles”
The History of Alexander County Central High School Tamms (population 1,043) is located on far southern Illinois in the east-central portion of Alexander County. Illinois Route 127 is the main roadway that leads you to and from Tamms. A county road titled “Tamms Rd.” will also lead you into town. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad passes through town as does another unidentified railroad line. The Amber creek flows to the east of Tamms. Tamms was first named Idlewild in 1893. The name was changed to Tamms in 1900. The town is named after Theodore and Oscar Tamms, who originally owned the land the town was platted on. Tamms Community High School likely was established in the early 1900s. We know that a high school building was erected in Tamms in 1924. This building was destroyed by fire in 1953. A new building was erected in 1954 and the name of the high school was changed to Alexander County Central High School.
Alexander County Central High School continued in this capacity until a vote in 1963 changed the name of the school district to Egyption School District. The high school for the new district remained in Tamms. Thebes High School joined the Egyptian School District in 1968. Several items for this page were located at the web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/alexander/alex_sch.htm . We also want to thank Phineas Moore for his contributions to this page! Alexander County Central High School Quick Facts Year TCHS name changed to ACCHS: 1954 Year name changed to Egyptian: 1963 ACCHS Team Nickname: “Eagles” ACCHS Team Colors: Blue & Gold School Fight Song: ? |
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Tamms Community High School “Eagles”
The History of Tamms Community High School |
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Tallula High School “Flyers”
The History of Tallula High School Tallula (population 638), besides having a great name, is located on Il. Rt. 123 in southwest Menard County. Tallula is located just 20 miles northwest of Springfield. The origin of the town is in need of research.. Tallula residents began an educational system in the late 1800s. It was then, also, that high school courses began being offered for the students of the area. Like many similar-sized towns of the day, Tallula High School was able to erect a modern, brick school building in 1923. This information was provided to us by Diane Kording Bottom. It was in 1963 that a consolidation effort was undertaken by several small school districts around Petersburg. The effort was realized and Tallula subsequently put the “T” in the P.O.R.T.A. High School system. The former Tallula High School building served as a PORTA School District Grade School for grades PK – 3 through the 2010-2011 school year. Sadly, as relayed to us by our good friend Phil Shadid, the school building usage has also come to an end. The PORTA school district decided to close the school due to dwindling enrollment at the end of the 2010-11 school year. The school will be put up for private auction. Suzy Jorns advises the brick school building was built in 1922 and opened January 5, 1923. Tallula High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s Current bldg built: 1923 Year closed: 1963 Consolidated to: P.O.R.T.A. School District Bldg use today: PORTA Grade School (PK – 4) Tallula HS nickname: the “Flyers” School colors: Royal Blue & Orange School Fight Song: “We’re Loyal To You Tallula” UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FIGHT SONG TUNE COURTESY OF DIANE KORDING BOTTOM We’re loyal to you Tallula, We’re orange and blue, Tallula. We’ll back you to stand ‘Gainst the best in the land For we know you have sand, Tallula! Rah! Rah! So crack out the ball, Tallula We’re backing you all, Tallula. Our team is our fame protector: On! Boys for we expect a Victory from you Tallula!
Che-he, cha-ha, cha-ha-ha-ha, Tallula, Tallula, 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, Tallula High! |
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Tamaroa Community High School “Indians”
The History of Tamaroa High School Tamaroa (population 740) is located in southern Illinois in northwest Perry County. U.S. Route 51 runs through the center of town and connects it to its larger neighbor seven miles to the south, Du Quoin. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad joins with the Missourri Pacific Railroad south of town and splits again just north of Tamaroa. A branch of the Collier Creek flows through the north end of Tamaroa. The town name comes from the historic Native American tribe of the same name, The Tamaroa. The Tamaroa Indians were a part of the once proud and strong Illiniwek Indian Confederation in Illinois. Tamaroa residents probably began education efforts for their children in the late 1800s. For several decades the town supported its own high school and grade school district. The school building at the top of this page served as both high school and grade school until the early 1950s. A new high school building was then contructed “on the west edge of town”. At some point, probably in the late 1980s or early 1990s, serious talks were initiated about the closing of the high school. These talks became a reality and the Tamaroa High School District was closed. The Class of 1988 was the final one to graduate from Tamaroa High. Brent Beltz, a member of this class, tells us that in the fall of 1989 the high school aged kids of Tamaroa began attend school in nearby Pinckneyville. This arrangement continues today. Tamaroa still proudly supports its own grade school for grades K – 8. The original Tamaroa Grade School building is pictured above and below. A great fan of the site, Ella Wilson (a former grade and high school graduate of the school system), advises that the building pictured above… “served as both grade school and high school until the new high school “west of town” was completed.” . Tamaroa High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1880s Year new HS Built: early 1950s Year closed: 1988 School nickname: the “Indians” School colors: Orange & Black School Fight Song: See Below
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Table Grove High School “Tigers”
The History of Table Grove High School Table Grove (population 396) is located in western Illinois in the westeern portion of Fulton County. U.S. Route 136 is the main roadway leading to and from Table Grove and connects it to its well-known neighbor 17 miles to the northwest, Macomb. The BNSF Railroad runs through Table Grove as well. The town was originally platted in 1837 and incorporated as a village in 1881. Table Grove peaked in population in the 1920s through 1940s at nearly 800 residents. One article on the history of Table Grove can be found at http://www.vit.k12.il.us/community/tg.htm . The first school house in the area of Table Grove was established in 1845. Think about that for a moment, 16 years BEFORE the start of the Civil War!! A high school was started in the late 1880s, with Corneila Cook Wait becoming the first graduate in 1891. A newer community high school was incorporated in 1920. The high school served the children of Table Grove quite nicely through the 1940s. Consolidation talks arose at that time between Table Grove and the neighboring towns of Ipava and Vermont (both also on this site). The consolidation effort became a reality in 1948 with the establishment of the Vermont-Ipava-Table Grove School District. The Table Grove HS bldg was used for the VIT HS from 1948 – 1957. An all-encompassing complex was developed in 1958 near Table Grove to house the students of the new district from Kindergarten through Senior year. A new school complex for the Table Grove V.I.T. School District was built in a country setting near Table Grove. The Table Grove High School buildings pictured on this page have been razed. Table Grove High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1890? (First Graduating Class – 1891) Year closed: 1947 Consolidated to: Vermont-Ipava-Table Grove School District Table Grove HS nickname: “Tigers” School colors: Purple & White School Fight Song: unavailable Washington & Lee Swing Submitted by Janet Bradford Van Doren (possible lyrics based on other HS fight songs) And when those TG Tigers fall in line, Show the Purple and White you’re mighty fine, To trumpet forth your wisdom and your fame, To fill the air with lots of fight
For ev-er-more!
We work and strive through all sincerity To bring to our fair school a victory. Fly high, the banners of the Purple and White, To VIC-TOR-Y!!!! |
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Sycamore Waterman Hall for Girls
| Waterman Hall for Girls | |||||||||
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| Courtesy of Phyllis Kelley | |||||||||
The History of Sycamore Waterman Hall for Girls
Sycamore (population 14,866) is located in DeKalb County, about 55 miles west of Chicago and 35 miles south of Rockford. It serves as the county seat and can be reached by taking Illinois Routes 23 and 64, located along the south bank of the East Branch of the Kishwaukee River. The community was incorporated as a village in 1858, and then received the same recognition as a city in 1869. The Sycamore and Cortland Railroad once ran thru the town and helped it in its early growth. After a couple of battles, the county courthouse came to Sycamore in 1903.
Waterman Hall for Girls was opened in 1888 by Mrs. J.S. (Abbie) Waterman, who endowed part of her homestead for the school thru her will. The original Waterman home (see below) was converted into a rectory for the Episcopal rector in charge of the school, and three other buildings were also built nearby, including the main building above, Tower Hall.
The school attracted girls primarily from affluent families, some of which came from Chicago as well as the remainder of Illinois, and others travelled from other states like South Dakota and Montana to attend. Waterman Hall was a preparatory school for some Eastern colleges, including the prestigious Wellesley College, in addition to some Western universities.
Sadly, Waterman Hall closed its doors in the spring of 1918 due to financial difficulties and the resignation of its rector, Rev. B.F. Fleetwood, D.D., who had served the school in that capacity for 29 years. The school was reopened a year later in the fall of 1919 when St. Alban’s Academy for Boys moved from Knoxville to Sycamore, but later ceased as a center of education when that school closed in 1938. It was also a National Youth Administration center for young men to learn a trade during World War II, and served as a Episcopal retreat center called the Bishop McLaren Center into the 1960’s before the buildings were torn down in 1967 to make way for apartments.
| Original Waterman Homestead |
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| Courtesy of Phyllis Kelley |
| FACTS ABUT SYCAMORE WATERMAN HALL
– Year opened: 1888 Year closed: 1918 |
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| ACTIVITIES
– It is possible that students enjoyed social activities such as parties, clubs, and some intramural sports while attending the school. Unfortunately, we are in need of help in finding out more about what the girls of Waterman Hall did in their free time. Those that may have information are invited to contact us at the addresses below. ————————————— INTERESTING NOTE According to information that was received from Phyllis Kelley at the Joiner History Room in Sycamore, it was a tradition of each graduating class to have the speech of its valedictorian put into a small box that would be sealed into the walls of one of the school buildings, beneath a window sill. When the school was torn down, it may have given cause to the wrecking crew to be perplexed when these small cornerstone-type boxes were showing up in the rubble of the demolished building, given what was in them! ————————————– THANK YOU… to Phyliis Kelly at the Joiner History Room in Sycamore for the information and photos she provided to us in helping present this page to you. ————————————- MORE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Provided by Bob Ross: “Many members of the Waterman family in the US trace their lineage back to Richard Waterman, who arrived here in 1637. Along with Roger Williams, Richard was banned from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for life. Apparently, this was because the pair’s religious views were too extreme even for the Puritans. They went on to form the Rhode Island Colony and were promptly sued by the MBC, which claimed Rhode Island belonged to the Colony. The MBC lost that claim. Richard then assisted in the founding of the first Baptist Church in Providence. A rebuilt replica of the church still stands. Waterman Street is a central one in Providence, and Brown University sits on Waterman land. J.S. Waterman, the name and the initials, is the most common name given to male descendants of Richard, so we can be sure J.S. was a direct descendant. I have not heard of Jimmy Waterman, but J.S. typically stands for John Samuel. In the capital of Rhode Island, there are many photos of Richard’s descendants, and several went by J.S. I believe J.S. of Sycamore was the uncle of my great-great-grandfather.
The most famous Midwestern Waterman is likely to be Alice Waterman, known as the Angel of Camp Randall. Alice traveled to Madison, WI, to tend to Confederate soldiers who were imprisoned there. Unfortunately, by the time she arrived from Louisiana, all had died. They were thrown into unmarked graves. She then took it upon herself to solicit contributions from local dignitaries and others and managed to not only ID most of the soldiers, but also to purchase a small plot of land to build a cemetery. To this day, there are 16 Confederate graves in Madison. The plot is not far from Camp Randall.
The two largest concentrations of Watermans in Illinois were in Sycamore and Verona. My direct family came from Verona. Though I had a girlfriend in college who lived in Sycamore in the mid-1980s whom I visited often, I knew nothing of Waterman Hall. I did know there were several Watermans buried in the local cemetery.”
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IF YOU HAVE MORE… information about Waterman Hall for Girls in Sycamore, please contact us. Our addresses are ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net |
Sycamore St. Alban’s Academy
The History of Sycamore St. Alban’s Academy Sycamore (population 14,866) is located in DeKalb County, about 55 miles west of Chicago and 35 miles south of Rockford. It serves as the county seat and can be reached by taking Illinois Routes 23 and 64, located along the south bank of the East Branch of the Kishwaukee River. The community was incorporated as a village in 1858, and then received the same recognition as a city in 1869. The Sycamore and Cortland Railroad once ran thru the town and helped it in its early growth. After a couple of battles, the county courthouse came to Sycamore in 1903. St. Alban’s Academy was an all-boys’ boarding school affiliated with the Episcopal Church that was founded in 1890 in Knoxville by Rev. Charles Wesley Leffingwell, D.D., but was invited to move to Sycamore in 1919 after Waterman Hall for Girls was closed down the previous year. The school remained as an all-boys’ academy until the spring of 1938 when it was closed due to declining enrollment and lack of finances. The buildings were later used for the National Youth Administration as a trade school for young men between the ages of 18-24 during World War II, then converted into the Bishop McLaren Center for retreats as administered by the Episcopal Church. The life of the school buildings came to an end in 1967 when a pair of Sycamore businessmen bought the property and tore the buildings down to make way for an apartment complex.
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Sumner High School “Arabs”
The History of Sumner High School Sumner (population 1,022) is located in southeastern Illinois on Il. Route 250 just south of Il. Route 50. This places Sumner in northern Lawrence County about nine miles west of Lawrenceville. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad runs some tracks through the center of town. The Muddy Creek and Shirley Creek also flow through town. The following history of Sumner and its school was provided by Leona Smith: “It would be very hard to write a history of Sumner School without including a slight history of Sumner itself, as the city and the school are so intertwined it is hard to separate into two segments. The germ of the city of Sumner was planted on October 25, 1817, when Benjamin Sumner bought land for one dollar and fifty cents per acre and settled upon it. The city was surveyed and platted by Peter Smith, at the time the county surveyor, on January 27, 1854. Several additions have been laid out and added from time to time.
The children attended a school a mile west of town. This continued for four years, but in the fall of 1858 a small frame building was erected on West locust Street. In 1867 a two-story brick building was erected in place of the “Little Brown Jug” as the first building was commonly known. However the “Little Brown Jug” was used for several years afterward as the primary department. The records of the school prior to 1862 appear to have been lost, however, the school continued to grow rapidly in attendance and in the year 1867-68, it was necessary to employ four teachers. The new brick building served the community for fifteen years, and then increasing enrollment forced another enlargement. This building as completed, was made in the anticipation of further expansion. It was placed under one roof with a belfrey in the center and as completed, was a two-story structure containing six rooms, an office, cloak rooms, ect. A two-year high school was established by the school board, and the first commencement exercises were held in the sprinhg of 1888 under the direction of Superintendent J.M. Hamilton. The members of the first class were Maggie Burnes, Gracie Corrie, Della Judy, Mayme Robinson, Isis Kilgore, and Bert Emerick. A third-year was added to the curriculum in 1897 and a fourth year was added in 1819.”
Sumner’s second school building was built in 1920. It was a brick structure that housed grades 1 through 12. This building served the town for 21 years until tragedy struck. The building caught fire in the afternoon of June 16, 1941. The building was destroyed and unrepairable.
Construction of a new building was underway almost immediately. However the children needed a building in which to attend school while the newer building was built. This was accomplished in the building pictured to your left. This three story structure served as Sumner High School from 1941 until 1947. In 1947 the new building, pictured at the top of this page, was completed and served as Sumner High School until the high school was consolidated with Bridgeport in 1973. It was in the early 1970s that the towns of Bridgeport and Sumner engaged in consolidation talks. This became a reality with the creation of the Red Hill School District in 1973. Red Hill High School is located in Bridgeport. There is a school located in Sumner where classes are offered to the Red Hill students. This is known as the Sumner Attendance Center for children in grades K – 4. The former Sumner High School building also holds classes for the Red Hill 7th and 8th graders. The Red Hill Junior High Salukis now play their basketball and volleyball games in the original Sumner High gymnasium which was built in 1956. SCHOOL SPIRIT IS STILL ALIVE FOR SUMNER HIGH! Every two years an All-School Reunion for alumni and classmates is held the 1st Sunday after Labor Day. Sumner High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1888 Year closed: 1973 Consolidated to: Red Hill High School (Bridgeport) Yearbook names: The Pyramid, The Telescope, The Tatler, The Ketch-All, The Sumarian School nickname: the “Arabs” (horse and rider) School colors: Red & Black School Fight Song: “On For Sumner” “On Wisconsin” fight song tune On for Sumner, On for Sumner, March right down that line, Put the ball into the basket, Score one every time! Rah! Rah! Rah! On for Sumner, On for Sumner, March right down that line. Fight fellows, fight, And win our game tonite! Rah! Rah! |
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