The History of Leaf River High School |
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Latham High School “Rabbits”
The History of Latham High School Latham (population 371) is located in central Illinois in the southeastern corner of Logan County. The town is about 10 miles northwest of Decatur on Illinois Route 121. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad cuts through the middle of Latham. The town was platted in 1871 and officially incorporated in 1884. It was named after Civil War Colonel Latham. The history of the school system in Latham is in need of research. It is probable that a high school was established in Latham by the late 1800’s. Latham High School served the community for at least five decades. We believe that it was in the mid-1950’s that the towns of Latham and its neighbor to the southeast, Warrensburg, agreed to consolidate their educational efforts. The consolidation took place after the 1949-50 school year. The effort resulted in the creation of the Warrensburg-Latham School District.
The high school for the new district was located in Warrensburg. A grade school was located in Latham. The fate of the original Latham High School building is is a good one. The building is still in use today as an apartment building.
Latham High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800’s Year closed: 1950 Consolidated to: Warrensburg-Latham School District Latham HS team nickname: the “Rabbits” Latham HS team colors: Blue & White School Fight Song: unavailable |
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LaSalle St. Patrick Academy for Girls
The History of Lasalle St. Patrick Academy for Girls LaSalle (population: 9,796) is located in north central Illinois along the Illinois River. Interstates 39 & 80 meet near the community, and US Route 6 along with Illinois 351 are among the main roads that bring people to LaSalle. The history of the area goes back to 1673 when Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet travelled upstream on the Illinois River, but it wasn’t until 1837 when the community was first platted. Incorporation took place in 1852 and LaSalle is known for its cement and mineral-based products. Two men, Frederich W. Matthiessen and Edward C. Hegeler, formed a partnership and established the Matthiessen & Hegeler (aka M & H) Zinc Company in 1858. Both men would leave their mark in the community in notable fashion, donating money to worthy causes, having a park named after one of them (Matthiessen State Park), and the other left a mansion that is worldly-renowned for its style of architecture (Hegeler-Carus Mansion). One of Hegeler’s daughters married a man who would become prominent in employing a number of residents, the Carus Chemical Company. Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de La Salle was a contemporary of Jolliet and Marquette who explored for the French. LaSalle found that the Illinois River was navigable northward to the community, from which point there were spots where boats had to carried around rapids in order to make it the present-day site of Chicago. As a result, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was created and completed between 1836-1848 between a much smaller Chicago and LaSalle to help river traffic from Lake Michigan make its way to the Mississippi River and eventually to New Orleans. |
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LaSalle St. Patrick Academy for Boys
The History of LaSalle St. Patrick Academy for Boys LaSalle (population: 9,796) is located in north central Illinois along the Illinois River. Interstates 39 & 80 meet near the community, and US Route 6 along with Illinois 351 are among the main roads that bring people to LaSalle. The history of the area goes back to 1673 when Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet travelled upstream on the Illinois River, but it wasn’t until 1837 when the community was first platted. Incorporation took place in 1852 and LaSalle is known for its cement and mineral-based products. Two men, Frederich W. Matthiessen and Edward C. Hegeler, formed a partnership and established the Matthiessen & Hegeler (aka M & H) Zinc Company in 1858. Both men would leave their mark in the community in notable fashion, donating money to worthy causes, having a park named after one of them (Matthiessen State Park), and the other left a mansion that is worldly-renowned for its style of architecture (Hegeler-Carus Mansion). One of Hegeler’s daughters married a man who would become prominent in employing a number of residents, the Carus Chemical Company. Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de La Salle was a contemporary of Jolliet and Marquette who explored for the French. LaSalle found that the Illinois River was navigable northward to the community, from which point there were spots where boats had to carried around rapids in order to make it the present-day site of Chicago. As a result, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was created and completed between 1836-1848 between a much smaller Chicago and LaSalle to help river traffic from Lake Michigan make its way to the Mississippi River and eventually to New Orleans. As the canal was being built, a majority of the laborers came from Ireland and settled in LaSalle and the surrounding areas. Those men and their families would help form what is St. Patrick’s Church in 1838, which still exists today as the oldest continual operating Catholic parish in the state of Illinois. As the community grew, so did the church and the need for education. A grade school was formed and an all-boys’ high school called St. Patrick Academy for Boys would open in 1861. The Christian Brothers opened a school in a large stone building near the boundary line that divided LaSalle and its neighbor, Peru, and started with 95 boys in class on August 1st of that year. The enrollment increased to 164 total with 25 boarders in 1862, and nearly doubled 285 in 1863. There was a change in the direction of the school in 1873 when the Christian Brothers left due to a misunderstanding with the mission pastor of St. Patrick’s, and lay teachers assumed the classroom duties for the next four years. The Brothers of the Holy Cross replaced the lay teachers in 1877 and stayed until 1882 when the Brothers of Mary from Dayton, OH took over. That order would remain in LaSalle until 1909 when the order left due to financial difficulties. St. Patrick then merged with St. Patrick’s Academy for Girls, to become St. Patrick’s (also known as St. Vincent’s) High School. It is also possible that some students from the Academy of St. Joseph from Peru also attended the new co-ed school when the religious order that ran St. Joseph left the school in the same year. During the time that St. Patrick’s Academy for Boys was opened, a three-year commercial course and four-year academic school were offered. Students that graduated from there went on to college and became members of the clergy, doctors, lawyers, merchants, bankers, and other professions. Today, St. Patrick’s Grade School remains open as part of Trinity Catholic Academy as does the church, but St. Bede Academy in nearby Peru fills the void for Catholic education at the high school level, as does Marquette High School in Ottawa. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT LASALLE ST. PATRICK ACADEMY: Year opened: 1861 Year closed: 1909 Merged with: LaSalle St. Patrick Academy for Girls |
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LaRose High School “Warriors”
The History of LaRose High School The village of La Rose (population 98) is located on the busy Il. Route 89 at County Road 1 in south central Marshall County. The AT & ST Railroad runs just southeast of town. This places LaRose approximately 25 miles northeast of Peoria. The town name is based on the French words “la rose” meaning the rose or beautiful place. According to U.S. Census figures La Rose peaked in population in 1960 with 192 residents. In 2000 there 159 residents. In 1881 there were 3 churches and several businesses located in La Rose. La Rose residents began a school system for grades 1-8 in the late 1800s. A new, modern, brick school building was erected in 1911. In 1913 it was decided to add high school courses of study to the school. One room of the school was dedicated for this purpose. From 1913 through the next 24 years the grade school and high school at La Rose were housed in the same building. In 1937 it was decided to erect a brand new school building dedicated specifically for high school studies. The building was erected along Illinois Route 89 on a five acre plot of land on the towns north side. This building was a grades 9-12 facility. La Rose High School became one of the first in the area to offer an agricultural program. La Rose High School was well supported by the community. The school’s athletics program included baseball and basketball for the boys. The basketball team of 1958-59 advanced to the District title game beating Lostant and Hennepin before losing to Cornell by a score of 56-48. The students were also offered band, chorus, and student government. School activities included picnics, “weenie roasts” and other fun get togethers. For the next 24 years La Rose High School held its own and provided a great education for the kids of the area. In 1960 concerns came to a tipping point over the financial issues posed to the small school. At the conclusion of the 1960-61 school year, the graduating class of 9 seniors became the final graduates of La Rose High School. It was then decided to no longer hold high school classes in La Rose. Students began having their choice of attending Low Point-Washburn HS or Toluca High School for their education. The La Rose High School building was utilized as La Rose Grade School from 1961 – 1965 until it, too, was deactivated. The La Rose High School building served for various purposes over the past 4 decades, most recently as a part of a trucking company. Today (2025) it sits in a dilapidated state, though still hanging on to its once prominent status in the community. A nice history of LaRose High School, as noted by Roberta VanBriesen, can be viewed at the web address of https://genealogytrails.com/ill/marshall/LaRose_Schools.html . This page includes further photos and information about the La Rose school history. The school-aged children of LaRose now have their choice of attending school as part of the Lowpoint-Washburn School District, the Minonk Fieldcrest School District, or in nearby Midland School District in Varna. LaRose is technically included in the Fieldcrest School District however.
LaRose High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1913 Year closed: 1961 School nickname: the “Warriors” School colors: Blue & Gold School Fight Song: “Cheers, Cheers for Old LaRose High” Sung to Univ. of Notre Dame Fight Song tune – words needed
Cheer, Cheer for old LaRose 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 LaRose High will win over all. While her loyal sons are marching Onward to victory!! |
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La Prairie High School
The History of La Prairie High School La Prairie (population 60) is located in western Illinois in the northeastern portion of Adams County. La Prairie is aptly named as it appears to sit quietly in the middle fo the prairie along the Burlington Northern Railroad line. La Prairie is situated between the County Roads of E 2600th St. and E 2650th St. at the County Road of N 2700th Ave. La Prairie appears to be about 3 blocks from north to south and 5 blocks from east to west. La Prairie is about 20 miles northeast of Quincy and 24 miles southwest of Macomb. La Prairie was established in 1855 as a stop along a railroad line. It was initially named Gibbstown before the name was changed to La Prairie in 1863. The town probably grew quickly in its initial years. It is likely that a school was set in place by the late 1800s as well. High School curriculum was probably offered in the 1920s. LaPrairie High School had a 4-year curriculum through 1944. The high school was closed after the 1943-44 school year with students being bussed to nearby Golden High School to complete their education. The Golden High School closed in the early 1950s, possibly 1955, with students from Golden and LaPrairie joining the newly formed Camp Point Central School District.
If you have any further information, please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . La Prairie High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1920s? Year closed: 1944 Consolidated to: Golden High School HS Students Now Attend: Central High School (Camp Point) La Prairie HS team nickname: unavailable La Prairie HS team colors: unavailable School Fight Song; unavailable |
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La Place High School
The History of La Place High School La Place (population approx. 200) is located in southeastern Illinois in the southwest corner of Piatt County. The town is located on County Highway 32 just north of U.S. Route 36. The CSX Transportation Railroad passes through the center of town. A nice history of the town of La Place and its former high school can be viewed in the book titled “Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2” which was written by Paul Selby and Franices M. Shonkwiler. This book was published in 1917. A brief history of the town of La Place can be located on page 698. A summary of this excerpt states that the town was “laid off” (platted) in 1873 and was originally named Stoner. It was also known as Gatewood. The article does not state why the town eventually settled on the name of La Place. Page 798 of the book briefly describes the school system at La Place. The following has been copied directly from the book: “The first La Place school was erected in 1884, and another took its place in 1903. This school has a high school course, and an attendance of about 130 students. Some of the educators connected with this school have been; A.C. Duncan, Arthur Verner, L.F. Nichol, J.E. Underwood. C.E. Leathers, and Everett Garrett.” We currently have no further information regarding the former La Place High School. Our guess is that La Place High School offered a 3 year course of study, though it is very possible that a 4 year high school was in place. We believe that La Place High School existed on its own through the late 1940s. It was likely at that time that La Place was absorbed or consolidated to Cerro Gordo High School, its neighbor about 6 miles to the north. The La Place school building continued to host a grade school for several years after the high school, at the very least through the 1975-76 school year. La Place High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1884 Year closed: late 1940s? Consolidated to: Cerro Gordo High School LPHS team nickname: unknown LPHS uniform colors: unknown School fight song: unknown |
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Lane High School
The History of Lane High School Lane (population 125) is located in southern DeWitt County along Il. Route 10 approximately seven miles east of Clinton. This places Lane approximately 30 miles west of Champaign (as the crow flies). The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad runs through the center of Lane. Lane High School existed for about five decades. It is believed the high school was established in the late 1800s. It served the town of Lane and the surrounding country kids until the 1950s, probably around 1954. At this time many small schools were encouraged to merge with their larger-school neighbors. Lane was annexed into the Clinton School District. It is not known if the Lane School was completely closed at that time or remained open as part of the Clinton School District for a short while as a grade school. Eventually the Lane school building was closed for public education. The building was purchased by the local church in Lane. The Lane Christian Church has maintained the building in excellent condition and still uses it for various functions. It is believed the gym can still be used for recreational basketball. Lane High School Quick Facts Year opened: probably late 1800s Year closed: 1950s School nickname: unavailable School colors: unavailable School Fight Song: unavailable |
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Landes High School
The History of Landes High School Landes (population approximately 50) is located in southeastern Illinois in the far southwest corner of Crawford County. Landes is about 15 miles southwest of Robinson, and 45 miles southeast of Effingham. County Highway 18 is the main, and only, roadway to and from Landes. A view on Google maps reveals that Landes consists of about 10 homes and a church, as well as what appears to be a grain storage facility. The town was named after Silas Z. Landes, a Congressman from Mt. Carmel in the 1880s. A post office was established in Landes in 1887. This is currently the extent of information we have regarding Landes. We have very little information regarding the former Landes High School. We were made aware of the fact that Landes High School existed by reviewing a website that lists basketball scores from the IHSA Basketball Tournaments between 1920 and the 1970s. The web address is https://sites.google.com/site/xtmi2000/ . It lists Landes High School playing Calhoun High School in a first round game in the 1935 District Tournament at Olney. Through research of similar-sized towns we believe that Landes supported a two or three-year high school from at least the 1920s through the late 1940s. It is probable that Landes High School students were sent to Oblong High School just a few miles to the north upon the closure of Landes High. Landes High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1920s? Year closed: late 1940s? Consolidated to: Oblong High School (?) Landes HS Team Nickname: ?? Landes HS Team Colors: ?? School Fight Song: ?? |
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Lancaster High School “Bombers”
| The History of Lancaster High School
Lancaster (population approximately 100) is located in southeastern Illinois in northwestern Wabash County. Lancaster sits in a true country setting on County Road 11 at County Road E 640. The hamlet of Lancaster does not appear to be more than a few blocks long and wide. The estimate of 100 for the population is possibly overstated. Lancaster is not listed as an official Illinois town. Its history and the history of the Lancaster school system is in need of research. We can only, at this point, guess as to the history of the school. It was probably established in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Lancaster High School likely served the small town and surrounding farm kids for more than five decades. Our guess is that it was in the late 1940s that Lancaster High School may have closed her doors. We believe that the kids of Lancaster now attend school in Mt. Carmel as part of the Wabash School District. If you can help us fill in the missing information please contact us at eganann@sbcglobal.net. Lancaster High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s Year closed: late 1940s? Consolidated to: Mt. Carmel/Wabash School District Lancaster HS team nickname: the “Bombers” Lancaster HS team colors: unavailable School Fight Song: unavailable |
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