The History of Seward High School Seward (population approximately 350) is located in far north central Illinois in the southwestern portion of Winnebago County. The town is situated on County Highway 18 about two miles south of U.S. Route 20. Rockford is just 12 miles to the east of Seward. The Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad travels through town and its tracks were instrumental in Seward’s early growth. The history of Seward and its former high school are in need of research. Through the internet (http://members.aeroinc.net/sewardnet/) we were able to determine that Seward was first settled in 1836. This is currently the extent of our knowledge of the town of Seward. We do not believe it is officially incorporated as an Illinois town. The history of Seward High School is equally in need of research. We are told that Seward had a three-year high school for many years. It is probable that these years included beginning in the 1920s. It was likely that the school lasted through the 1940s. Our guess is that Seward High School closed in the late 1940s. Students of Seward are now incorporated into the Winnebago School District. An article was viewed and summarized by Roberta VanBriesen as follows: “This is from the Winnebagoes 1903, a publication for teachers. The first district to consolidate country schools was Seward. This was in 1903. A beautiful new consolidated grade/high building was planned for construction at the cost of 6,000 for the building and 1,000 for the land. Pictures and floor plans, emphasis on agriculture. An interesting article on consolidation, many of the same issues we still hear today. School population included children ages 6-21.” Seward was featured in an Illinois schools journal in 1920. The following facts were made available for the publication: No. of districts consolidated: 3 Square miles: 12 Assessed valuation: $373,830 Cost of house: $7,000 Annual tax levy: $4,000 Tax rate: 1.07 Annual tax levy before: $1,200 Teachers now: 5 Teachers before: 3 Enrollment now: 91 Enrollment before: 89 Enrollment in grades: 71 Enrollment in high school: 19 No. studying agriculture: 6 No. studying manual training: 6 No. studying home economics: 5 Aid from vocational fund: No Public conveyance: No Years of high school course: 3 Months in year: 9 Seward Principal Irvin J. Rowe fielded questions from the publication as well: Q – In what way do adults of the community profit by the school? A – A) Gives an increased value to the farm lands in the district; B) It gives the child a good education with out leaving home to attend the city school. Q – In what particular does the school meet the needs of the children and young people in the community in a superior way? A – It brings a greater number of children together than in a one-room rural school, thus making larger classes, and the larger the class the greater the interest and spirit of competition among the children. Q – What complaints are made? A – No complaint. Q – What features give the most universal satisfaction? A – The Agriculture and Home Economic Courses are the features that give the most universal satisfaction. There is still an elementary school in Seward for grades PK and Kindergarden as part of the Winnebago School District. The fate of the original Seward school building is needed. Seward High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1920s? Year closed: 1940s? Consolidated to: Winnebago School District Seward HS team nickname: unavailable Seward HS team colors: unavailable School Fight Song: unavailable |
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Blog
Sesser High School “Red Devils”
The History of Sesser Goode-Barren Township High School Sesser (population 2,128) is located in northwestern Franklin County in the southern portion of Illinois. The Illinois State Routes of 154 and 148 intersect in Sesser. A landmark near Sesser is Rend Lake located 3 miles to the east. The At & St Railroad also has two lines that form a “T” in Sesser. Two towns of note near Sesser are Du Quoin (10 miles southwest) and Benton (10 miles southeast). More information is being sought regarding the history of Sesser and its school system. It is thought that Sesser began its school system in the late 1800s. It continued its educational excellence through many decades. Sesser Goode-Barren Township High School was probably established in the late 1800s. It was in the late 1950s and early 1960s that consolidation talks with nearby Valier (also on this site) began. In 1963 the high schools of Valier and Sesser consolidated to form the Sesser – Valier School system. This school still runs strong today, successful on many different levels. The original Sesser High School building no longer stands. Sesser – Valier High School is located in Sesser. The original gymnasium is still part of the downtown Sesser landscape however. If you have any information regarding Sesser High School please write to us at eganann@sbcglobal.net. Sesser High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s Year closed: 1963 School nickname: the “Red Devils” School colors: Maroon & White School Fight Song: “Sesser Loyalty Song” Sung to Illinois Loyalty – Click play button below and sing along!
We’re loyal to you Sesser High. We’re white and maroon Sesser High. We’ll back you to stand ‘Gainst the best in the land For we know you have sand, Sesser High.
Rah! Rah!
So crack out the ball, Sesser High. We’re backing you all, Sesser High. Our team is our fame protector: On! Boys for we expect a Victory from you Sesser High!
Che-he, cha-ha, cha-ha-ha-ha, Sesser High School Rah, Rah, RAH!
Fling out that dear old flag of White and Maroon, 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, SESSER High! |
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Secor High School
The History of Secor High School Secor (population 379) is located in upper-central Illinois about 25 miles east of Peoria. This places Secor in the southeastern portion of Woodford County. The town was named in honor of Charles A. Secor a member of the engineering firm of Cruger, Secor and Company, which was awarded the contract for construction of the Eastern Extension of the Peoria and Oquawka Railroad, and Zeno Secor, a director of the railroad line that passed through the village (source: book titled “Place Names of Illinois”). U.S. Route 24 passes through the south side of town as County Highway 5 passes through Secor’s middle. Route 24 is shadowed by the Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad. A branch of the Panther Creek flows into Secor as well. A nice website for the village of Secor can be read at the following web address: http://villageofsecor.com/ . The following information was sent to us by a fan from the area who obtained it from the Secor Centennial Book which was written in 1957:
Secor Centennial Book (1957) “The first log schoolhouse with a stick and mud chimney was built in 1844. Records for this school were destroyed by a fire. The first small frame school building was built in 1857. That building was sold as a home for a family. Secor believed that education was essential for a well governed community. The people worked hard to provide a safer and more modern building. The last school building built in Secor was a brick building built in 1906 at cost of over $10,000. (This building is pictured above.) The number of students that attended classes in this new building in spring of 1907 were 39 primary students, 26 intermediate, 27 upper grades and 30 high school students along with 1 teacher for EACH grade level and a principal. In the school year of 1916-1917 athletics were introduced. Early school records show that in the upper grades and High School, alternate grades were taught in succeeding years. Later two years of high school training were offered, The last High School classes were taught in 1939-1940.
Beginning in 1941, the Secor School was only an elementary school. In 1948 Secor merged with El Paso Community Unit Dist. 375. With this change, only the first 6 grades remained in the Secor School. Seventh and eighth grade students were transported by bus to El Paso. Due to crowded conditions at the time, the seventh grade was reopened in Secor in 1954. .” Secor High School served the community for about four decades, probably a little longer. The school building continued to serve the El Paso District into the 1980s until it was decided to close it with all students attending classes in El Paso. The former school gymnasium building serves as a community center for the town of Secor. Secor High School Quick Facts Year opened: Late 1800s Year brick HS building built: 1906 Year HS closed: 1940 Annexed to: El Paso School DIstrict Secor HS team nickname: unavailable Secor team colors: unavailable School Fight Song: unavailable |
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Seatonville High School
| The History of Seatonville High School
Seatonville (population 303) is located in north-central Illinois in the southeast portion of Bureau County. The town sits on U.S. Route 6 about three miles west of Illinois Route 89. Interstate Highway 80 passes about one mile to the north of Seatonville. The Burlington Northern & Sante Fe Railroad travels through town as well. An excellent history of the town of Seatonville can be viewed at the web address of http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/Villages/Seatonville.html . In summary the article states the following: Seatonville is named after the “Seaton brothers” who owned a mining company which greatly supported the residents of the area. Mining was a key part of the early development and growth of Seatonville. The first coal mine was opened in 1878. In its “boom” time (late 1800s / early 1900s) Seatonville reached a population of more than 2,000 residents. One interesting comment in the article was that, true to its blue collar roots, the town also supported 21 bars! By 1930 the coal mine had closed and the residents of Seatonville began moving away. The population of the town in 1937 was approximately 500. The town leveled at that number for several years before settling into its current population of approximately 300 residents. We know that Seatonville residents made certain the kids of the town received a good education. We are only aware that the town once offered high school courses based on a photo we found at the web address of http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/History/1918seatonville_class/index.html . This web page includes a photo of the Seatonville High School graduating class of 1918. A total of 29 students graduated that year. We are not certain as to when, however at some point in time Seatonville High School was closed. We believe this may have occurred in the 1940s. We do know that the kids of Seatonville today attend Hall Township High School in nearby Spring Valley. Seatonville High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s? Year closed: 1940s? Consolidated to: Hall Township High School, Spring Valley Seatonville HS nickname: unavailable Seatonville HS colors: unavailable Seatonville HS fight song: unavailable |
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Seaton High School “Wolves”
The History of Seaton High School Seaton is located in the southwest portion of Mercer County in upper western Illinois. This town with its population of 242 is located near Snake River, 7.5 miles east of the Mississippi River at the intersection of county roads 20th Avenue and 150th Street. Further information regarding Seaton has been provided below by Tim Jarman: Seaton Elementary School History by Tim Jarman
The village of Seaton, Illinois was founded on June 28, 1883 and was incorporated on August 10, 1907. The Seaton Elementary School and the Seaton High School were located on Hickory Street in the southwest corner of Seaton, Abington Township, Mercer County, Illinois. The original Seaton School House was a two-story wooden building. Before 1891 children in Seaton attended the McClure School, located southwest of Seaton near the McClure Cemetery. This school was moved into Seaton, where additions were made providing the school with six rooms. The first term was opened in October of 1891. In 1928, this wooden school house was replaced with a two-story (with a basement) brick building at a cost of $60,000. Students moved into this building shortly after Christmas of 1928. Traverse Rock Wright began teaching at the Seaton Elementary School on Monday, September 19, 1892. Eventually, he became the principal of the Seaton Elementary School. In 1898, Ralph Bolton came to Seaton as principal of the school and brought with him the idea of a high school in the town. Previously it had not been called high school. The lower grades were taught in the first floor rooms and advanced subjects for college preparation were taught on the second floor. This writer believes that Ralph Bolton replaced Traverse Rock Wright as principal of the Seaton Elementary School. In 1898, Traverse went into business with Thomas D. Gayler and opened the Gayler & Wright grocery store in the town of Seaton. Apparently, prior to 1920, the Seaton Elementary School and Seaton High School formed the Seaton Community Consolidated School District Number 115. This School was a combination of grades one through twelve. In 1920, the Oak Knoll School – District Number 110, and the Walnut Grove School – District Number 114, consolidated with the Seaton Elementary / High School, to form the Seaton Community Consolidated District Number 115. This school district was dissolved in 1922 and the original districts were reestablished. Also, apparently grades’ one through eight of the Seaton Elementary School went back to School District Number 115 and grades’ nine through twelve were formed to create School District number 126. In the early 1920’s, the Scaly Point School, consolidated with the Seaton Elementary School. The Scaly Point was located two miles Southeast of Seaton in Ohio Grove Township. Scaly Point was School District number 108 and consisted of grades one through eight. At some point after 1951 (in the start of the 1952 school year), the Seaton Elementary School became an attendance center for elementary students through the 6th grade. Later the elementary students were split between Seaton, grades three through six and Sunbeam, a new redwood school for students first through third grades. When kindergarten was added to the curriculum, the sixth grade was sent into Aledo. Before it closed in 1982 the Seaton Elementary School had six grades K-6. All students now attend various Aledo schools. According to some local residents, the brick building that housed the Seaton Elementary School / High School was torn down in 1985. As of May 24, 2008, the only things that remain on the site of the Seaton Elementary School / Seaton High School are the sidewalks that were in front of the school and the baseball field behind the school.”
Seaton High School History By Tim Jarman The Seaton Community High School was established after 1920 as School District Number 126 with grades nine through twelve. Prior to 1920, the Seaton High School, appears to have been part of School District 115. This school was a combination of grades one through twelve. In 1920, the Seaton Elementary School and Seaton High School were apparently consolidated to form the Seaton Community Consolidated School District Number 115. This School District was dissolved in 1922 and the original districts were reestablished. Grades one through eight stayed as School District number 115 and grades’ nine through twelve went back to School District number 126. The original Seaton School House was a two-story wooden building. Before 1891 children in Seaton attended the McClure School, located southwest of Seaton near the McClure Cemetery. This School was moved into Seaton, where additions were made providing the school with six rooms. The first term was opened in October of 1891. In 1928, this wooden school house was replaced with a two-story, and basement, brick building at a cost of $60,000. Students moved into this building shortly after Christmas of 1928. Traverse Rock Wright began teaching at the Seaton Elementary School on Monday, September 19, 1892. Eventually, he became the principal of the Seaton Elementary School. In 1898, Ralph Bolton came to Seaton as principal of the school and brought with him the idea of a high school in the town. Previously it had not been called high school. The lower grades were taught in the first floor rooms and advanced subjects for college preparation were taught on the second floor. This author believes that Ralph Bolton replaced, Traverse Rock Wright as principal of the Seaton Elementary School. In 1898, Traverse went into business with Thomas D. Gayler and opened the Gayler & Wright grocery store in the town of Seaton.
The first graduating class of the Seaton High School was the class of 1899. The Seaton High School had a yearbook called the “Arch.” In this yearbook, only the senior class members rated individual pictures. Each of the other high school classes were shown in a full class group picture. The nickname for the Seaton High School was the “Wolves.” The Seaton High School class of 1951 was the last class of the Seaton High School. In the years of existence, the Seaton High School had 379 graduates. At an election on Saturday, April 21, 1951, 293 voters of the Seaton School District number 126 cast their votes on the proposal to annex Community District Number 126 to Community Unit District Number 201, commonly called Aledo High School. The proposition was favored by 167 voters, with 116 voting no. In the unit precincts the proposition was approved by a vote of 113 to 19. Administration Offices for School District number 201 are located in Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, the county seat. The High School students from Seaton and surrounding communities are now transported to the Aledo High School in Aledo, Illinois. In 1954, the current Aledo High School was built at a cost of $850,000 in Aledo, Mercer Co., Illinois.5 This School opened on September 18, 1954. Prior to opening of the new high school in 1954, the old Aledo High School was a two-story building next to the main shopping area in downtown Aledo. The junior high School was in the same building. At some point around 1951, the Seaton Elementary School became an attendance center for elementary students through the 6th grade. Later the elementary students were split between Seaton, grades three through six and Sunbeam, a new redwood school for students first through third grades. When kindergarten was added to the curriculum, the sixth grade was sent into Aledo. Before it closed in 1982 the Seaton Elementary School had six grades k-6. All students now attend various Aledo schools. According to some local residents, the brick building that housed the Seaton Elementary School / High School was torn down in 1985. As of May 24, 2008, the only things that remain on the site of the Seaton Elementary School / Seaton High School are the sidewalks that were in front of the school and the baseball field that was behind the school.” The students of Seaton now attend school as part of the Aledo School system. (A special thank you is owed to Terry Tracy for this correction at an earlier time.) When viewing the photo above, the school building would have sat in the foreground and a little to the left. Seaton High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1898 Year closed: 1951 Consolidated to: Aledo High School School nickname: the “Wolves” School colors: Purple & Gold School Fight Song: “Cheers, Cheers for Old Seaton High” University of Notre Dame Fight Song Tune Athletics Limited information was available regarding the athletic program at Seaton High School. The Wolves’ boys basketball team won one District Title and a boy by the name of F. Carlson brought home two medals from the State Track Meet. More information is being sought regarding the athletic successes gained at Seaton High School. If you have this information and would like to share it please contact us. The IHSA accomplishments of Seaton HS are listed below. Boys Basketball The Wolves’ team of 1942-43 won a District Championship, the only one in the school’s storied history. Scores of other Seaton High School post season contests were located on the web site titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores” and are subsequently listed below. If you have season records, coaches names, and photos of the Seaton HS Wolves basketball teams please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net
1933-34 Roseville District Tournament 1st Rd. Beat Biggsville 18-14 2nd Rd. Lost to Avon 31-30 Avon lost in semi-final round. 1934-35 Roseville District Tournament 1st Rd. Seaton forfeited to Stronghurst 1935-36 Reynolds District Tournament 1st Rd. Lost to Keithsburg 49-17 1937-1942 Scores for Seaton HS unavailable 1942-43 District Champions District Tourney scores unavailable Aledo Regional Tournament 1st Rd. Beat Little York 35-14 2nd Rd. Lost to Alpha (score unavailable) Avon lost to Aledo in title game. 1944-1948 Scores for Seaton HS unavailable 1948-49 New Boston District Tournament 1st Rd. Lost to Viola 54-26 Viola lost in semi-final. 1949-50 New Windsor District Tournament 1st Rd. Lost to Viola 44-23 Viola lost to New Boston in title game. 1950-51 New Boston District Tournament 1st Rd. Lost to Keithsburg 54-46 Last basketball game in Seaton High School history. Keithsburg lost in semi-final. Boy’s Track & Field 1927-28 F. Carlson 880 Yard Run 3rd Place 1928-29 F. Carlson 880 Yard Run 5th Place MEMORIES From M. Constance: “Thanks for the Seaton, Il school reminders! Lived there until 1960. You will find more information, photos, etc from article in The Times Record, Aledo, Il dated May 15, 1985 (Section 3?). Originally written by my aunt, Violet Duncan (Beckham), class of 1920 and contributor to her families paper the Seaton Independent. The final Seaton school reunion was on June 13, 2009 in Aledo, IL.” We Are Seeking Further Information… …regarding the origin of the town of Seaton, its high school, and their accomplishments. If you have this information and would like to share it please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form. You can also contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. We are especially interested in a photo of the school building. You may also write us at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631
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Scottville High School
The History of Scottville High School Scottville (population 140) is located in lower west-central Illinois in the northwest portion of Macoupin County. County Highway 21, County Highway 38, and the Modesto-Scottville Road all intersect in Scottville. Scottville is about four blocks long and four blocks wide. Scottville sits quietly in the country about 25 miles southwest of Springfield. A brief history on how and when the town of Scottville was established can be viewed at https://macoupin.illinoisgenweb.org/history/scottville.html. The site states that Scottville was established in 1835. It goes on to say that the town was not actually incorporatd as a village until 1857. A school was set up in Scottville between 1835 and 1854. This is the extent of knowledge that we possess on the Scottville’s school history. We would bet that Scottville had a high school curriculum in place for its students by the late 1800s. We do knbow that if Scottville had a high school, it closed in 1948. That was the year that Scottville joined its northwest Macoupin County neighbors Palmyra, Modesto, and Hettick to consolidate their educational efforts. The result was the establishment of the Northwestern School District. The high school and grade school for the Northwestern School District landed in the group’s largest town, Palmyra. The fate of the Scottville High School is also in need of research.
From Rhonda Ashby Coulter regarding the 1908 Scottville High School class photo above: “My father’s step-mother was a Mitchell (Ruth Emily Mitchell Ashby, 1904-1992), from Athensville Twp, Greene County, Illinois. In the pictures passed down in the family, I came across a poster of the graduates of Scottville High School, Class of 1908. There are no names on the photos or the back of the poster. I thought I’d share them with IHSGD. If anyone can put names to any of these students, it would be greatly appreciated! I assume at least one of the boys is a Mitchell (Ruth’s half-brother). I estimate these students were born around 1890. Frank Mitchell was born in June of 1889 and his brother Verne was born in January of 1891. Their parents are John Mitchell (1865-1927) and Luella J. White (1867-1898). Ruth’s mother is John Mitchell’s second wife Nancy Etna Northern Mitchell. I know that Ruth, whose family lived on a farm, boarded with an uncle while she attended Scottville High School about 1922-1926.” Scottville High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s Year closed: 1948 Consolidated to: Northwestern School District (Palmyra) Scottville HS team nickname: unavailable Scottville HS team colors: unavailable School Fight Song: unavailable |
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Scottland High School “Eagles”
The History of Scottland High School Scottland (population approximately 100) is located in far eastern Illinois about 20 miles south of Danville. The town appears to be unincorported in Illinois. According to MapQuest (www.mapquest.com) Scottland is about 5 blocks long to the north and south and 3 blocks wide to the east and west. Located in northeastern Edgar County, it is probable that Scottland was initiated by a railroad line that runs through it, currently owned by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. On various maps since its founding, the town has been listed as Scotland and as Scottland. The Scott Bros. General Store was a central feature of the town in the 1800’s. The town is nestled on County Road N 1950th Street about a mile north of U.S. Route 36. The Indiana state border is about 3 miles east of Scottland. The Salt Fork Creek flows just to the northeast of town. 6 miles east of Scottland, just east of the Indiana border, is the town of Dana, boyhood home of Ernie Pyle, famous journalist killed in World War II. The following history of Scottland High School was offered to us by Carol Craig. It is an excellent account of the school system and history of Scottland, Illinois: “HISTORY OF THE SCOTTLAND AND ITS SCHOOLS” The Village of Scottland, Illinois
William Scott was born July 13, 1819, near Bloomington, Indiana, the oldest child of Samuel and Rebecca Scott’s ten children. When he was ten years of age, his family moved to Prairie Twp. in Edgar County and built a split log cabin. In his early days, he, as well as his father, engaged extensively in buying and feeding stock on a large scale, then driving them to Chicago. They used money from cattle sales to purchase black, prairie land at $1.25 an acre. His father became the largest landowner in the county, having 3,500 acres, as well as 1,000 acres in the state of Kansas. William owned 1,000 acres on which the town of Scottland is now located. In 1843, William married Elizabeth Legate. They were the parents of nine boys and one girl. He was one of the first in the area to improve his farm, building a large, brick colonial home, at the cost of $12,000, located on the “Ocean to Ocean” road, northeast of Scottland. The land for Scottland was surveyed and laid out in 1872. Mr. Scott, for whom the land was named, donated the right of way and one half of the town lots to the railroad company to induce them to locate the town there. The little village soon had between two to three hundred inhabitants, enough to support the businesses that were established. The post office was moved to Scottland in 1873. Three drygoods stores, two blacksmith shops, and the grain elevator were among the first firms to be built. Two doctors soon set up practices in town. The Methodist church was dedicated in 1883. There were two active lodges. The early school was damaged by a cyclone and was rebuilt in 1906. Later, drugstores, a flouring-mill, barber shops, beauty shops, grocery stores, hardware stores, engine repair garages, a hotel, a butcher shop, gas stations, a paint store, a café, and a soil service were added. Besides the Scotts, the Shane, Bonwell, Dawson, Smith, Hess, Littlefield and Light families were some of the early families who currently have descendants living in the Scottland area. Scottland celebrated a Centennial in 1972, publishing an excellent book of text and pictures, from which this information was gleaned. Nearly all the businesses are gone, the post office closed, and the population has diminished, but the town remains a close knit community, with pride in their interesting past. THE HISTORY OF THE SCOTTLAND SCHOOL SYSTEM The first school, built before the turn of the century, was a two story building, one room on the ground floor and one above. It was used for grade school pupils only. The first teachers received $30-$45 per month. After this building was damaged by a cyclone, Mr. Scott and the railroad donated land to erect a new grade school in 1906. Classes were held in the townhouse and over a store while the school was being built in its permanent location. The two-story building consisted of the bell tower, the main hallway, the staircase, west classrooms, and a principal’s office. A new addition was built in 1928-29, which included the first gymnasium and a stage at ground level, and a study hall and three small classrooms on the top floor. A 1936 wing was added to the west of the original building, which housed the science and home economics departments. The north addition, added in 1948, included restrooms and a mezzanine level where there was a large classroom with a tube type fire escape and a larger principal’s office. The last addition was the new gymnasium, built in 1953 on the north side of the building. Remodeling was done in 1959 to convert the old gym into a cafeteria on the lower level, and a study hall and two classrooms on the middle level. In the 1960’s a building in the south of town was purchased to house the industrial arts and agriculture programs. In 1907, a petition was put forth and passed to combine districts 18, 19, and 23. By then, a ninth year had been added and students were studying algebra, Latin, English, and physiology. In 1923, a basketball squad was organized, which practiced outdoors until a gym was built. The following year, one of the best track squads in the county was organized. The tenth grade was added to the high school between 1906 and 1919. In 1923, the first three year class graduated; and in 1937, the first four year class graduated from a complete Scottland High School. Students no longer had to finish high school at Chrisman, Dana, Bono, or Paris high schools. Future Farmers of America was introduced in 1936 and Future Homemakers of America followed in 1938. As the years passed, band, chorus, other sports and various clubs came into existence. In 1944-45, the first yearbook was published. The “Eagles”’ school song was Notre Dame Victory March. In 1972, a referendum was passed to consolidate the Scottland and Chrisman school districts. The Scottland building housed the 6-7-8 junior high school students until 1979, when the state determined the building did not meet the Life, Health, and Safety Codes. With repairs being too costly, and a referendum failed to pass, the building was closed and sold at public auction. The brick building was torn down, leaving only the gymnasium. The property is currently privately owned, and the campus is used for a home site and a pasture for horses. The Scottland School left a commendable legacy. Many students were well prepared for success in life. Its past can be recalled only in our memories.” It cannot be said ANY better than that. Great job Carol Craig! The original Scottland High School building has been torn down. The former gymnasium is still standing, owned by William Gill. Bill tells us the gym has been kept in great condition (see the photos below). Though Bill uses a portion of the gym area for storage, his sons Roy Douglas and William Clayton played many a basketball game with their buddies on the floor when they were growing up. Great job by Bill Gill in maintaining the history and nostalgia of the Scottland HS gymnasium! For more reading on the history of Scottland High School go to the web address of http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofschools00hump#page/n101/mode/2up Scottland High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s Year closed: 1972 Consolidated to: Chrisman School District School team nickname: the “Eagles” School team colors: Purple & White School Fight Song: “Scottland High Victory March” Notre Dame University Fight Song Tune Cheer, Cheer for old Scottland High, Wake up the echoes, Cheering her name, Send a loyal cheer on high, Shake out the thunder from the sky. What though the odds be great or small, Old Scottland High will win over all. While her loyal sons are marching Onward to victory!! |
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Sciota Northwestern High School “Huskies”
The History of Sciota Northwestern High School Sciota (population 58) is located in upper-western Illinois about 10 miles northwest of Macomb. Sciota is located in the northwestern portion of McDonough County. County road E 800th Street is the main roadway to and from Sciota and connects it to Illinois Route 9 one-half mile to the south. The Toledo, Peoria, & Western Railroad travels through town as well. Blandinsville (population 777) is located in upper-western Illinois. This northwestern McDonough County town is located also about 17 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. Good Hope (population 415) is located in upper-western Illinois in north-central McDonough County. Good Hope sits on U.S. Route 67 about six miles north of Macomb. Illinois Route 9 passes just north of town. The Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad travels through town also. It was in the late 1950s that the three towns undertook a consolidation effort regarding the education of their children. The result was the creation of the Northwestern School District in 1959. A building for the new school district was located on Route 9 just south of Sciota. The Northwestern School District served the three communities and the surrounding farm kids for about 44 years. In 2003 the neighboring town of Colchester agreed to join forces with the Northwestern School District. This new effort created the West Prairie School District. The high school for the West Prairie School District remained located in the Northwestern high school building south of Sciota. Sciota Northwestern High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1959 Year consolidated: 2003 Consolidated to: West Prairie School District (Sciota) Northwestern team nickname: the “Huskies” Northwestern team colors: Blue & White Schoiol Fight Song: “Go You Northwestern” |
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Schram City School
| The History of Schram City School
Schram City (population 653) is located in upper-south-central Illinois about 40 miles south (and a little east) of Springfield. Schram City sits in the center portion of Montgomery County about 1 mile east of Hillsboro, you could almost say that Schram City was a suburb of Hillsboro. Illinois Route 16 is the main roadway to and from Schram City. The Union Pacific Railroad parallells Route 16 on its trek through town as well. The history of the town of Schram City and its former school system is in need of research. We had believed that Schram City supported its own High School from at least the early 1900s (possibly earlier) through the mid 1950s. According to the Hillsboro High School website (http://www.hillsboroschools.net/aboutus/demographics/demographics.htm), Schram City joined forces with similar Montgomery County communities including, Donnellson, Taylor Springs, Butler, Irving, Coffeen, and Panama, to create the Hillsboro Community Unit School District in the nearby town of Hillsboro. This action took place in 1954. However a former student of the school, Don LeMay, advises that Schram City may have never actually supported a high school. Don attended Schram City Grade School in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He does not recall there being any high school courses offered during that time. We will continue to have this page published. If you have a photo to share of the Schram City school building or information regarding Schram City schools prior to the consolidation effort with Hillsboro, please contact us at eganann@sbcglobal.net . Schram City School District Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s Year closed: 1954 Consolidated to: Hillsboro Community Unit High School Unsure if a high school existed. |
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Saybrook High School “Comanches”
The History of Saybrook High School Saybrook (population 764) is located in eastern Illinois in the southeastern portion of McLean County. The town is located in a country setting on McLean County Road N3850 East Road about a mile south of Illinois Route 9. According to Saybrook’s web site (www.saybrook-il.com), the town is known as the “City of Shade and Water.” This is verified by the three branches of the Sangamon River which flow through town along with the pond located on the northwest side of Saybrook. The Norfolk & Western Railroad line runs through town as well and probably has a lot to do with its location. The town was settled in 1850 and first known as Chenney’s Grove. The name was changed to Saybrook in 1865 after towns of the same name in either Connecticut or Ohio. Saybrook area was first settled in 1825 by Jonathon Cheney, for whom the township (Cheney’s Grove) is named after. The name Saybrook comes from the name of a similar community in Connecticut. The townspeople of Saybrook began an educational system for its children as early as 1832. In 1864 the the Saybrook Academy was opened which included primary, intermediate, and high school grades. In 1888 Saybrook High School was officially established. These classes were held in a frame school building. In 1895 a new brick building was built to house Saybrook High School. A new brick high school building was constructed in 1929 with the old brick building being utilized as a grade school. THe first high school graduation excercise was held out of the Saybrook Academy in 1880 with 3 members earning diplomas. The first class to graduate out of the 1929 building, the class of 1930, had 17 graduates.
Saybrook High School existed from 1864 through 1952. In the summer of 1952 the towns of Saybrook and nearby Arrowsmith voted to consolidate their high schools which established Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School. This school continued to be held in the 1929 Saybrook High School building. The Saybrook-Arrowsmith High School District continued through the 1988-89 school year when Saybrook-Arrowsmith conslidated with Colfax Octavia to form the Colfax Ridgeview School District. The 1895 building pictured above was demolished in 1988, and the 1929 building was torn down in 1992. The gymnasium from the 1929 location is still standing, now used as the township garage.
Saybrook High School Quick Facts Year opened (as a 2-yr school): 1886 First building opened: 1895 Four-year school began: 1920 New building opened: 1929 Year consolidated with Arrowsmith:1952 Year buildings razed: 1988 & 1992 Gymnasium today: still standing – used as township garage School nickname: “Comanches” School colors: Red & White School Fight Song: unavailable ATHLETICS It is a fact that the Saybrook Comanches competed in basketball and football. It is probable that at some point track and baseball were also offered. While it was in operation, Saybrook was a member of the Tri-Valley Conference along with Anchor, Arrowsmith, Cooksville, Colfax, Towanda, Downs, Ellsworth, and Cropsey, all of which have their own pages on this website. If you have more information regarding other conference affiliation and records of the better teams that competed at Saybrook, please forward the information to us. |
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