Illinois High School Glory Days

Lanark High School “Beavers”

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

“Old” Lanark High School

Lanark, IL

The History of Lanark High School

The city of Lanark (population 1,584) is located in northeastern Carroll County at the intersection of US Rt. 52 and IL Rt. 72. If you are unfamiliar with the area, Lanark is located about 25 miles north and a little west of Sterling, in northwestern Illinois. The CM St. P. Railroad runs through the middle of town.

The first school was built by the city of Lanark. Completed in August 1867, this building situated on the site of the present grade school was used both as a grammar and high school. On November 25, 1893, the school was destroyed by fire.

The Old North Side School House was built on the north side of the railroad tracks. Grades 1-6 were taught here, and upon completion of these grades the students moved on to the old high school. The building was not used after 1894 and was finally torn down.

“Lanark’s Pride,” the school building, was built in the summer of 1894 on the same site as the building which burned the year before. In 1912, an addition was added to this building, and in 1928, a gymnasium was built. Upon completion of the grade school building in 1958, this building was torn down.

The new Lanark Grade School was competed and ready for use in the fall of 1958. The building stands on the same lot as the former high/grade school, and the old gymnasium was remodeled to serve the dual purpose of a cafeteria and a gymnasium.

The new Lanark High School was completed in the winter of 1951. An addition of four rooms for the Junior High was ready for use in the fall of 1957. In 1955, a bus garage was built and in 1957, the Lions’ Club sponsored the building of the tennis courts located north of the school.

Lanark High School was consolidated with nearby Shannon High School in 1986 to form the Eastland School District. The high school for Eastland is located in Lanark. The high school building remained the same for the new Eastland High School.

Lanark High School Quick Facts

Year opened: First school – 1867

Year closed: 1986

School nickname: the “Beavers”

School colors: Blue & White

School Fight Song: unavailable

“New” Lanark High School Campus

Now Eastland High School

Lanark High School Math Club

Early 1910’s

Athletics

Lanark High School “Beaver” athletes enjoyed a great deal of success on many different levels. IHSA hardware was won in five different sports. The most successful seasons according to the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) are listed below. LHS enjoyed MANY other great seasons of success but did not win IHSA hardware. If you know of Conference Champions or teams with excellent records you would like to share, please drop us a line.

Boys Football

Before the days of playoffs, the 1967 football team won the Northwestern Conference Championship with a perfect 8-0 season. Only one touchdown was scored against this team. On the first play in the game against Stockton, an opponent ran 60 yards for a touchdown, but the Beavers went on to win the game, 14-6. One of the games played by this team was on a snowy Halloween. The students from study halls were recruited to clear the field of snow by rolling snowballs.

Members of the team included Dan Harms, Gregg Sisler, Larry Dietz, Mike Eckberg, John Mosher, John Weber, Bruce Christensen, Richard Gordon, Mike Mowen, Gary Dambman, Ed Grant, Justin Merchant, Jack Rowley, Perry Hartman, Randy Martz, Leslie Gordon, Steve Smith, Norm Varner, John Barnhart, Paul Crofton, Daryl Deets, Larry Weber, and Bob Manning. The coaches were Wally Isham and Ed Nelson.

In 1984, the Lanark Varsity Football Team won the Northwestern Illinois Conference title with a record of 9-0. A highlight of the season was defeating Stockton for the first time in 15 years, 7-6. The same two teams met in the play-offs where the Beavers won again, 6-0. The team made it to the semifinals where they were defeated by Carthage.

Players on the team were: Michael Misiewicz, John Huggins, Tim Nicodemus, Darrin Lott, Scott Sturtevant, Steve Blair, Rob Shipley, Kim Moyer, Mike Scott, Mike Morgan, Don Ferry, Stephen Nelson, Bret Rogers, Rob Shetter, Dave Janssen, Scott Brinkmeier, Phil Hasz, Dean Buckwalter, Eric Person, Kurt Bremmer, and Ryan Byington. The coaches were Tim Mc Gowan, C. Eickelschulte, Louie Lamoreux, and Greg Olson.

1967 8-0 Northwestern Conf. Champs Coach Wally Isham

1975 7-1 Coach Bill Sosnowski

1984 11-1 Class 1A Final 4 Coach Greg Olson

Lanark 19 Millegdeville 0

Lanark 6 Stockton 0

Lost to Carthage 13-0 in semi-finals

Carthage would finish 2nd

Boys Basketball

The 1970-71 Varsity Basketball Team was a surprise to everyone. The first half of the season was slow with a 3-9 start. At mid-season they were seeded 8th in the Stephenson Conference Tournament. They won the tournament title by defeating Lena-Winslow (“Le-Win”) by 13 points, playing in front of a full house in the Freeport High School Gym. Several team and individual records were set.

Team members included Don Fisher, Mike Carroll, Gregg Derrer, Burnell Wehmeyer, Jim Ludwig, Jim Zuck, Gary Dambman, Duane Diehl, Mike Martz, Jeff Snyder, David Woessner, Duane Ludwig, Doug Jenkins, Rod Hartman, Terry Blair, and David Hill. The coaches were Terry Stroffregen and Jerry Jenkins.

Going into the Class A Sectional tournament, the 1972-73 Varsity Basketball Team had the best winning record in the state of Illinois with 24 wins and no losses. They won the first game of the sectional against Stockton, but then were told by the Illinois High School Association that they could no longer continue in tournament play because of the illegal play of a sophomore on the team. The obscure rule that had been broken had never been published in the official IHSA Handbook. The Lanark School Board decided to seek an injunction staying the IHSA ruling. On the day of the game, the team spent the afternoon in court, waiting for a ruling from the judge. The ruling was in favor of the Lanark team. The team and fans rushed to Port Byron to meet up with the Fulton Steamers for the sectional final. Unfortunately the team was defeated, ending a very exciting and successful season.

Members of the team were: Cory Hoffman, Richard Delp, Rod Hartman, R. Ortiz, Russell Newendyke, Mike Feltmeyer, P. Brantner, Mike Martz, R. McInnis, Mark Carroll, David Woessner, Doug Jenkins, and Duane Ludwig. The coach was Jerry Jenkins.

1926-27 Coach George H. Garber

1927-28 Coach George H. Garber

1928-29 District Champions Coach George H. Garber

District Scores Needed

Moline Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Morrison 28-13

MORRISON (28): Fletcher 12, Filkins 8, Tracy 6, Edlund 2.

LANARK (13): Cole 6, Horner 3, Boyle 2, Zuck 1, Seiler 1.

Freeport beat Orion in title game

1929-30 Coach George H. Garber

1930-31 Coach George H. Garber

1931-32 Coach George H. Garber

1932-33 Savanna District Tourney Coach George H. Garber

1st Rd lost to Savanna 41-26

Savanna beat Hanover in title game

1933-34 Coach George H. Garber

1934-35 Morrison District Tournament Coach George H. Garber

1st Rd Beat Erie 23-22

2nd Rd lost to Fulton 34-22

Morrison beat Fulton in title game

1935-36 Savanna Regional Tourney Coach George H. Garber

1st Rd Beat Mt. Carroll 22-20

Semi-final lost to Hanover 46-31

Fulton beat Hanover in title game

1936-37 Coach George H. Garber

1937-38 Coach George H. Garber

1940-41 Mt. Carroll Regional Champs Coach’s name needed

1st Rd Beat Savanna 31-27

Semi-final Beat Mt. Carroll 26-22

Title Game Beat Shannon 30-24

Moline Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Orion 34-25

Sterling beat Kewanee in title game

1970-71 Stevenson Conf. Tny. Champs Coach Terry Stroffregen

Prophetstown Regional Tourney

1st Rd Beat Mt. Carroll 96-72

Semi-final lost to Fulton 86-73

Fulton beat Morrison in title game

1971-72 25-1 Freeport Class ‘A’ Reg. Champs Coach Jerry Jenkins

Semi-final Beat Dakota 67-62

Title game Beat Orangeville 75-58

Port Byron Sectional Tourney

1st Rd lost to Thomson 75-74

THOMSON (75): Hebeler 22, Hill 21, Robinson 21, Erich 8, Dykstra 3.

LANARK (74): Wehmeyer 24, Martz 19, Ludwig 14, Jenkins 13, Dambman 4.

Thomson beat Galena in title game

Thomson finished 4th in Class ‘A’ IHSA State Tourney

Lanark enjoyed an undefeated regular season!

1972-73 25-1 Lanark Regional Champions Coach Jerry Jenkins

Semi-final Beat Shannon 95-65

Title Game Beat Freeport Aquin 89-57

LANARK (89): Jenkins 21, Ludwig 18, Hartman 14, Martz 13, Woessner 12, Hoffman 10, Delp 1.

AQUIN (57): Bauch 21, Pearson 9, Bradley 7, Bushelle 7, Joyce 4, K. Luecke 2, Lytwyn 2, Steinman 2, Haight 2, R. Luecke 1.

Port Byron Sectional Tournament

Semi-final Bat Stockton 77-71

LANARK (77): Jenkins 19, Martz 17, Hartman 16, Hoffman 14, Ludwig 10, Woessner 1.

STOCKTON (71): Valaika 41, Schamberger 9, Boldt 9, Logemann 6, Brunner 4, Korth 2.

Title Game lost to Fulton 63-57

Fulton lost in Elite 8 Rd to Kaneland

1973-74 Freeport Regional Champs Coach Jerry Jenkins

Semi-final Beat Orangeville 55-41

Title Game Beat Dakota 43-45

LANARK (43): Jenkins 18, Hoffman 16, Kniss 5, Shearer 4.

DAKOTA (35): Niedermeier 12, Bauscher 7, Benning 6, Samuels 6, Pfile 2, Goeke 2.

Port Byron Sectional Tourney

Semi-final Beat Stockton 58-52

LANARK (58): Hoffman 19, Shearer 14, Holesinger 11, Jenkins 8, Kniss 6.

STOCKTON (52): Timpe 16, Upmann 14, Korth 10, Phelps 8, Baber 3, King 1.

Title Game lost to Prophetstown 73-61

PROPHETSTOWN (73): Wirth 26, Johnson 18, Maxfield 12, Finnicum 9, Mosher 8.

LANARK (61): Jenkins 25, Hoffman 14, Cheasney 8, Shearer 6, Holesinger 4, Delp 4.

1979-80 23-4 Dakota Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Tom Welch

1st Rd Beat Pearl City 62-57

Semi-final lost to Dakota 66-48

Dakota beat Orangeville in title game

Coach Tom Welch would go on to have a successful coaching career with a stint in Flora as well. He had a career record of 407-141.

Boys Track & Field

1944-45 Howard Cassens 1 Mile Run 5th Place

Boys Wrestling

We have limited information on wrestling at Lanark High School. We do know the first coach of this program was Kenneth Scott. If you ahve any further information to share please drop us a line.

Girls Athletics

In 1974, Title IX was passed, giving women the same opportunities to compete as the boys. In the fall of 1974, the first interscholastic teams for girls at Lanark High School began to compete. In the initial year, girls competed in volleyball and track & field. In 1976, basketball was added for girls’ participation interscholastically. Members of the first Lanark High School varsity team for girls were Leann Shaner, Renee Strohecker, Peggy Hartman, Deann Pollard, Laurie Young, Betty Grindey, Roxanne Smith, Lori Martz, Mary Heeren, Lynn Jones, Cindy Ludwig, Marcia Heeren, Kari Ewing, and Coach Linda Ludwig.

The Lanark HS Lady Beavers also faired quite well bringing home IHSA hardware in volleyball. One LHS athlete excelled in the State Track Meet. The lady athletic successes for Lanark High School are listed below.

Girls Volleyball

1974-75 N.R.A. District Champions Coach Linda Ludwig

1981-82 N.R.A. District Champions Coach Linda Ludwig

1982-83 N.R.A. Regional Champions Coach Linda Ludwig

1983-84 N.R.A. Regional Champions Coach Linda Ludwig

1984-85 N.R.A. Regional Champions Coach Linda Ludwig

Girls Track & Field

1985-86 Justina Appel 400 Meter Dash 4th Place

Distinguished Alumni

The Northwestern Illinois Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1987 to honor individuals who have made a contribution to athletics in their communities. The following individuals have been selected for Lanark.

1988 – Conrad Aschenbrenner–taught Industrial Arts at Lanark High School from 1954-1986. He coached fresh-soph football for two years and then was assigned to coach all junior high teams. He continued with these duties until 1981 when he took over the duties of head girls’ basketball coach, which he did until his time of retirement. Conrad probably coached and influenced more young individuals than any other coach at Lanark. Asch is unable to report any records for his teams, as he would tell you wins and losses weren’t important–it was the everyday one-on-one!

1989 – Linda Ludwig–A 1970 graduate of Lanark High School, she was very active in the Girls Athletic Association. After graduating from college, Linda was the first coach for girls athletics at Lanark High School. She started the Volleyball, Basketball, and Track & Field programs. She continued with the volleyball program until the consolidation with Shannon High School in 1986. She had the privilege of coaching many talented young athletes. Her record for coaching volleyball was 181 wins and 82 losses. Her volleyball teams won 5 Regional Titles in 12 years.

1990 – Keith Wall–is a 1958 graduate of Lanark High School. He earned 12 varsity letters in sports including basketball, football, baseball, and track. As a senior, he was selected as honorable mention all-state in basketball. While in college, he coached the Lanark town team during the summers. Keith coached for 33 years, 29 as a head coach and took 5 teams from Green Bay Preble High (Wisconsin) to the state tournament. He was selected to the Wisconsin High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997. One of his players made it to the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets and is now the associate head coach at Washington State University in the Pac-10 Conference, Tony Bennett. He was voted Mr. Basketball in the state of Wisconsin in 1988. The same year, Wall’s team was rated #1 in the state for virtually the entire year as they took a 24-0 record to state.

1991 – Mel Hawbecker–was a 1959 graduate of Lanark High School. During his high school career, he participated in four years of football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he played three years of varsity basketball and baseball. The 1960-61 basketball team placed 4th in the nation in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Mel was selected to the Nebraska Wesleyan Hall of Fame as a member of the 1961-62 team that went 24-3. During his teaching career of 32 years, he was head basketball coach for 25 years, assistant football for 8, and head golf coach for 5 years. The honor of “Coach of the Year” at both conference and statewide districts in baseball were awarded to him in 1971, 1976, 1980, and 1986.

1992 – Ed Nelson-began his teaching career at Lanark in 1962. He was the assistant football coach under Wally Isham from 1967 to 1974. He recalls that prior to 1965, football games were played in the afternoon until lights were installed on the field. He became athletic director in 1968, which he continued until his retirement in 1995. Ed has a great recollection of sporting events and details that happened during his career.

1995 – Marilyn Berge–was a 1958 graduate of Lanark High School. Marilyn’s teaching career was in the Flanagan School District. She was the advisor for a very active Girls’ Athletic Association. In 1974, she started that girls’ interscholastic sports program at Flanagan and had many successful teams. Upon retirement from teaching, Marilyn moved back to the Lanark community where she has taken an active interest in local sports.

1996 – Mike Mowen–was a 1968 graduate of Lanark High School, playing varsity football for 3 years. He continued to play football for 2 years at Rock Valley College and 2 years at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. In 1972, he was an Academic All-American. He has been a football coach at Winnebago High School for 25 years. Mike has been a paid or volunteer wrestling coach for 20 years and track for 10 years. He has been a volunteer softball coach for girls softball at Winnebago High School, summer leagues and traveling teams for 12 years.

1997 – Cindy Ludwig Tigges–a 1976 graduate of Lanark High School, she participated on the first volleyball, basketball, and track & field teams at Lanark. Cindy holds the record at Lanark High School for the most points scored in one basketball game (41) and the highest point average per game (26). After graduating from college, she returned to Lanark to coach the frosh-soph volleyball and basketball teams. Cindy had a remarkable athletic career at Northwestern College where she is also a member of the Hall of Fame.

1998 – Kraig Kniss–was a 1976 graduate of Lanark High School. He had a very successful high school athletic career. As an adult, he has volunteered to coach youth football and assisted with the high school football programs.

1999 – Bill Miller–was a 1951 graduate of Lanark High School.

2000 – Doug Johnson–was a 1973 graduate of Lanark High School, where he participated in high school athletics. After completing college, Doug returned to Lanark to teach and coach at Eastland High School (consolidated). He coached varsity football and girls softball. Doug coached several successful softball teams. In 2000 his Eastland team placed 2nd in the state.

Seeking More Information

We would like to thank Linda Ludwig and Chris Dertz for bringing to us most of this useful information that you see here. We hope you find the information as wonderful as us writers have. Thanks again!!!

We are always seeking more information regarding the city of Lanark and its high school. If you wish to share any information with us, please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form. As always, we are particularly interested in photos of the old high school building or of the successful sports teams or individuals at Lanark. You can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Lakewood High School

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Downtown Lakewood, Illinois in 2006

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http://www.shelbyvilledailyunion.com/apstorysection/local_story_142141114.html

The History of Lakewood High School

Lakewood (population approximately 50) is located in south-central Illinois in south-central Shelby County. Lakewood sits about 40 miles southeast of Springfield and 20 miles northwest of Effingham. In my favorite manner, Lakewood is situated in a true country setting. The main roadway to and from Lakewood is County Road 750N, which connects it to Illinois Route 128 just 2 miles to the east. County Road 1300E forms the north-south route through Lakewood. The MapQuest (www.mapquest.com) map of Lakewood shows the town to be about four blocks from north to south and three blocks from west to east.

A great fan of the Glory Days website, Jamie Driskill, sent us the following article from the Shelbyville Daily Union newspaper (http://www.shelbyvilledailyunion.com/apstorysection/local_story_142141114.html).

The article is copied in its entirety below:

“At One Time The Village Of Lakewood Was Rich In Game, Fish And Deep Forests And A Huge Lake

FRANK MULHOLLAND – Daily Union Managing Editor

If you have ever visited the Lakewood area of Shelby County, you may have wondered where the lake is? Well, it was there and it was quite the lake in it’s time.

The Lakewood area for a number of years was one of the greatest hunting resorts in the county. The lake was located about one-half mile north of the town, and was a huge lake that covered an area of over 100 acres. It was well stocked with fish and during migration season its waters were literally covered with wild duck, whose numbers were such that when they rose in a body their flight darkened the sun. The lake was drained in 1882 by Ephriam McCracken, who owned the land on which it was located.

Leon Cutler moved to Lakewood when he was in the second grade and lived there until after high school. He said the area where the lake was located continued to give the town problems when he was young.

“After a hard rain the area where the lake was located would fill with water, and the school bus could not get through and would have to go around,” said Cutler.

This is another story in the series of stories about the towns and villages that presently exist or at one time did exist in Shelby County.

These stories are inspired by the project of former Shelbyville mayor Lowell Goleman to place flags around the courthouse square representing those towns and villages. Goleman is planning a small ceremony on Memorial Day weekend to commemorate the occasion.

Lakewood, like virtually all the communities in Shelby County, was a by-product of the emerging railroad industry. When the railroad company decided to locate a station there, they christened it Lakewood.

By June 6, 1872, the station at Lakewood was completed and C. P. Roberts moved into the building and occupied it in the capacity of the first post master, and first merchant.

In 1935 there were three grocery stores, a restaurant, feed store, several gas stations. There was a grade school and high school all in a four room building.

The history of Lakewood by Beulah Gordon said that in the 1934-35 year there were 37 students in the high school with L.L. Holloway as principal and Miss Pauline Baker as the teacher. The grade school had 46 pupils with Frank Foor and Miss Gladys Peifer as teachers.

A hardware and limber yard owned by Lanum and Newkirk was located in Lakewood. It is said that lumber yard attracted business from near and far.

“That limber yard was well known throughout Central Illinois,” said Goleman. “They did a tremendous business.”

During the ‘50s when Cutler grew up in Lakewood, he said there was never a shortage of things for the kids of the town to do.

“Occasionally we might borrow a watermelon from someone’s patch,” continued Cutler. “On Saturday nights the local merchants would put up a bed sheet and show movies for the kids.”

He said later on the townhouse was used and they would show movies in there. Cutler said for entertainment, there were many box lunch and ice cream socials with cake walks.

During the ‘90s, the Methodist church at Williamsburg was moved to Lakewood. Also during the ‘90s, the Free Methodist Church was built and still graces Lakewood.

According to the history recorded by Gordon, the Lakewood area was rich in game, fish and dense timber. Cutler said as a kid, he and the other kids found many arrow heads and bits and pieces of pottery. The natural bounty of the area must have attracted many Indians to that area.

No doubt when the first settlers moved through the area that is now Shelby County that bountiful area with the huge lake must have been a beautiful sight to behold.”

http://www.shelbyvilledailyunion.com/apstorysection/local_story_142141114.html

Lakewood High School Quick Facts

Year opened: early 1900s?

Year closed: late 1930s / 1940s?

Consolidated to: Shelbyville High School

Lakewood HS team nickname: unavailable

Lakewood HS team colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

Lakewood High School definitely competed in boys basketball. Though no IHSA tourney hardware was earned, one game played by the Lakewood boys will go down forever in the infamy of IHSA history. We believe the boys may have competed in track and baseball as well. School team nickname, team colors, fight song, coach’s names, and team records are all items we are interested in sharing.

Boys Basketball

The only item we have regarding Lakewood High School basketball was found by Jamie Driskill on the IHSA website (http://www.ihsa.org/activity/bkb/records/ateam.htm). In a game played on December 18, 1926, the Lakewwod HS boys were matched against the Rosamond HS hardwood court boys. The game will be recorded forever as one of the lowest scoring games in IHSA history with the Rosamond boys pulling out a thrilling 3 – 2 victory. This ranks as being tied for the fifth lowest scoring basketball game in IHSA history.

Extra-Curricular Activities

We know that Lakewood High was the toast of the town and the center of the surrounding farm kids’ activities. We are sure that sports were only part of the educational experience at LHS. School plays, chorus, band, clubs, and dances all likely made many a Friday and Saturday night a happening one in Lakewood. If you have any of this information to share please write to us via the means listed below.

Always Wanting More

A photo of the original Lakewood High School building is also being sought. Sports is not the only subject we like to talk about. If you have any information about the many other acheivements attained at Lakewood High School please share them with us. You send items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Lakewood High School Class of 1929

Courtesy of Gerry Halpin & http://www.shelbycohistgen.net/Lakewood.htm

Lake Forest Ferry Hall

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Lake Forest Ferry Hall in 1869

courtesy of Lake Forest Academy Archives

The History of Lake Forest Ferry Hall

Lake Forest (population 20,000) is located in the northeastern-most portion of the Chicago Metropolitan area in southeast Lake County. Interstate 94, U.S. Route 41 and Illinois Route 60 all lead you directly to and from Lake Forest. The town was established in 1861, and a nice history of the town can be found at the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society’s website: http://www.lflbhistory.org/.

Opening in the fall of 1869, the Young Ladies Seminary at Ferry Hall (known as Ferry Hall) was started after a large bequest from the estate of the Rev. William Montague Ferry made it possible for female students to receive a quality education, just like its male counterparts at Lake Forest Academy (opened in 1857) and Lake Forest College (1860). The first catalogue stated the school would be “a Ladies’ Seminary in the highest order, in its facilities for a thorough and accomplished education.” A total of 66 students and 11 faculty members helped open the school, which was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

Ferry Hall was proud of the campus and location in Lake Forest, as the building was “spacious and elegant…made of Milwaukee brick and commanding an extensive view of Lake Michigan.” Some of the amenities that students and faculty alike enjoyed were gas lighting and steam heat.

In no way was Ferry Hall to be considered as a “finishing school” for society girls, but it offered a challenging course of study. There were three courses of study: preparatory, collegiate, and music. Prep classes included reading, writing, arithmetic, history, morals, and Latin. Collegiate classes offered included advanced math, sciences, modern languages, philosophy, and government. Girls were also allowed to study science as they had the laboratory tools and minerals to do their experiments. Please consider that during the latter part of the 19th century, daily learning involved plenty of memorization as well as reciting essays and other works in public.

The school grew into the 20th Century as an institutional fortress that looked for ways to better educate its students for the future. In 1939, Ferry Hall Principal Eloise Tremain stated “some say that the private school has had its day in our educational system, and must go. Some insist that survival can be secured only by new courses of study, or a very different character from those of the past…the future of Ferry Hall has not yet revealed itself except it must continue to build upon the foundation made firm through its past seventy years, and that it must sure to hold itself possibilities of meeting the revelations of every period.”

Ferry Hall held onto its standards and continued to educate girls until the mid-1970’s. After more than 100 years of single-gender classes, Ferry Hall and Lake Forest Academy were small in size and competing with larger schools for students as private and single-sex schools alike were struggling to stay open. Both schools started to offering courses that had co-ed classes on each campus with buses running back & forth between campuses in 1970. This proved to be a hit with students and faculty, despite the bussing.

By the end of 1973, trustees at each school had voted to merge the schools beginning in 1974-75, even though it would take several years to complete the transition. After the merger was formally legalized in January 1974, all students attended class at Lake Forest Academy with female boarders still being bussed in from Ferry Hall until the end of the 1975-76 school year. All boarding students were living at Lake Forest Academy by 1977 as the Ferry Hall property was rented out to the Chicago Bears for practice space. The campus was later sold for $800,000 by the end of the decade to retire debts and for operating expenses. Today, the property is the home of privately-owned condominiums.

Lake Forest Ferry Hall Quick Facts

Year opened: 1869

Year closed: 1974

School nickname: unavailable

School colors: yellow and white

School Fight Song: unavailable

1941 photo of Ferry Hall

courtesy of Lake Forest Academy Archives

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

In the early years of Ferry Hall, exercise was required and involved walking, skating, horseback riding, tennis, croquet, gymnastics, and calisthenics. A swimming pool was built on campus around 1900 to incorporate aquatics into the exercise routine.

The first Field Day took place in 1903 as classes competed against each other in athletic events. Basketball was also becoming popular at the time and the students at Ferry Hall were fierce competitors with their female contemporaries at Lake Forest College. Volleyball was also introduced at Ferry Hall during the first couple of decades.

By the mid-1940’s, the Girls Athletic Association (GAA) was formed at Ferry Hall as students became organized with the arrival of field hockey and basketball tournaments. Ferry Hall dominated the field hockey scene as it went undefeated in 1946 against other area schools. Softball and cheerleading soon followed as the girls began to cheer at Lake Forest Academy contests as the two schools’ relationship became strengthened.

Ferry Hall Chapel

courtesy of Lake Forest Academy Archives

Smith Hall in 1914 from the rear

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courtesy of Lake Forest Academy Archives

STUDENT LIFE

Away from the playing fields, students attended Sunday church services and bible study. Even in the early days of the school, Ferry Hall students were told to keep their clothing simple and in good taste as it was to be approved by their mothers. Social contact was limited outside of classes, as male students from Lake Forest Academy and other schools could only visit after receiving permission in writing from the student’s parents.

To give you an example of what student life was like in the 1870’s at Ferry Hall, here’s “A Voice from Our Distant Past: 136 Years Later” by Rita MacAyeal, LFA Archivist, originally published in the Lake Forest Academy Review, Fall 2007.

“…I arrived at Ferry Hall Wednesday, Jan. 4th. Was kindly so received, and the general warmth of cordiality soon dissipated the sense of utter loneliness I felt when first coming among total strangers.”

So reads the first page of an anonymous Ferry Hall diary generously donated to LFA by an alumnus who purchased it from an auction website. We received the diary with excitement, and immediately set out to identify its author.

The first part of the diary included daily entries dating from January through June, 1871. These were followed by a newspaper transcription entitled, “Sunnyside Weekly, Chillicothe, Ohio” dated 1887. At the end were several entries describing the gathering of the “The Bloomer Club” signed by “Leola Clark Somers, Secretary,” dated 1896. Tucked into the diary were two calling cards with the names “Miss Ross Casady” and “Miss Julia Chumasero.”

Deliving into our old Ferry Hall catalogues, I found that Rose Casady and Julia Chumasero were indeed students in 1871. However, there also was a junior that year from Chillicothe, Ohio, named Ella W. Clark. If the diary was hers, perhaps she was related to the Leola Clark Somers of later entries.

Turning to an online genealogy website, I learned that at the time of the 1880 Federal Census, Ella was living in Ohio, married to John Somers, and had among her four children a 5-year old daughter named Leola. Now the picture was complete: the diary had belonged to Ella Clark when she attended Ferry Hall in 1871, and then used years later by her daughter Leola.

Ferry Hall opened in the fall of 1869. So, when Ella arrived in January 1871, the school was less than two years old. Even though Ella lived at Ferry Hall for just one semester, her diary gives us a rate and fascinating into daily life at Ferry Hall in its earliest era.

“Owing to the entertainment at the Academy tonight, and consequent thoughts and attention given to it, the exercises are somewhat broken today.” Ella’s academic experience involved much recitation and memorization of lessons. There were daily exercises, and outdoor activities, such as walks, sleigh rides, boat rides, and beach visits. Occasional events at the Academy caused much excitement among the Ferry Hall girls.

“From the appearance of the morning, I thought we were to be deprived of the privilege of attending church; but well protected from the blast by ample waterproofs, we sallied forth and arrived at church without any serious inconvenience to anyone. Sermon was better then usual!” In keeping with the Presbyterian roots of the school, chapel services were a de facto part of life, and visiting clergymen were frequent speakers. In her diary, Ella often quotes scripture and reflects on church sermons.

“When a person is sick away from home, how they yearn for the comforts of there, and the kindness of friends which are never rightly appreciated until they are beyond our reach.” Even in language that may sound “stilted” to our modern ear, Ella’s homesickness rings familiar today. She writes several times about missing her family, and it is interesting to note that she did not return to Ferry Hall the next year.

Ella Clark’s diary documents many aspects of her life: academics, daily routines, special occasions and events, gatherings with friends, and even a few outings to visit relatives in Chicago. Her diary is peppered with names of Lake Foresters, visiting clergy, faculty, and schoolmates. Her written words paint for us a fuller picture of life in an era far removed from our own. This surprise artifact “unearthed” from obscurity provided us with a unique voice from the past.

Thank you to Rita MacAyeal for allowing us to use this article!

WE’D LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…

the history and student life at Ferry Hall in Lake Forest. If you have anything to share with us, whether it be memories of the school, attending classes, or whatever else you would like to share with us, then please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:

Illinois High School Glory Days
6439 North Neva
Chicago, IL 60631

Ferry Hall, Lake Forest, IL

circa 1912

Lake City High School

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Lake City High School Building

Photo Taken in 2011 by Bob Critchelow

The History of Lake City High School

Lake City (population approximately 100) is located in the far northwestern portion of Moultrie County in Dora Township about 10 miles southeast of Decatur. Illinois Route 32 passes by the northeast corner of town. County Highways 6 and 9 take you directly to Lake City. According to www.mapquest.com Lake City is 6 blocks from east to west and 2 blocks from north to south.

A very nice early history of the town of Lake City is available at the web address of http://www.edenmartin.com/counties/dora.htm#C . The article states that the town was established in 1873 along the Paris & Decatur Railroad line. The town was named after James C. Lake, who donated 20 acres of his land on which the town would be platted. Several small businesses soon were initiated, including the construction of a new school building in 1876.

The history of Lake City High School is in need of research. We only know of its existence due to the extensive research done by our good friend Roberta VanBriesen. The web address of http://www.old-yearbooks.com/2y/il/lakecity-1894grads.html provides an article from the Decatur Daily Republican and reports on the Lake City High School graduation ceremonies of May 23, 1894. The article lists six students receiving their diplomas in the “third annual” graduation ceremony.

A fan of the Glory Days website, Bob Critchelow, sent us the following information he summarized which was found in a book titled “History of Moultrie County Schools” written by Vera Slover.

“The building in the photos provided (above) was built in 1919 to replace the previous school building. Lake City schools became part of the Lovington School District in the late 1940s. This school continued to be used as a grade school through the early 1960s when it was closed. It is presently used as the parsonage by the church in Lake City.”

**Andrea Miller provides the following information regarding current schools attended by Lake City kids:

“I’m a current resident of Lake City and have lived there for the past 14 years. I graduated in 2010 from Lovington High school. Lake City kids currently go to grade school at Lovington Grade School. High school students from Lake City went to Lovington High School up until the annexation to Arthur in 2012. They currently go to Arthur-Lovington High School in Arthur as of the 2012-13 school year.”

**Terry Blankenship adds the following:

“I went to grade school in Lake City. I attended 1st and 2nd grades 1952 & 1953. 1st through 6th grades were held in one room and 7th and 8th in the other room. After you graduated from 8th grade you rode a bus to Lovington to attend high school.”

This is the extent of the current information we have regarding Lake City High School. If you have any further information on the former Lake City school system please contact us via the means listed below.

**From Suzanne Parrott:

“My 6th grade class was the last class to attend and finish 6th grade at the Lake City School in May 1962. Then it closed and sll students were sent to Lovington. At that time 1st to 3rd grade with teacher Miss Race, was in the south upstairs room and 4th to 6th grade with teacher Mrs Ruth Davis, was in the north upstairs room. The music/ play room plus girls bathroom was below the 1st to 3rd grade room and the kitchen and boys bathroom was below the 4th to 6th grade room. Both teachers are with us in the kitchen and also played outdoors during recess. Miss Race and Mrs Davis both played softball with students, jumped rope. And joined in on all activities at recess.”

Lake City High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1889?

First Graduating Class: 1892

Year HS closed: not available

Year GS closed: 1962

Consolidated to: Lovington High School

Kids Now Attend: Arthur-Lovington High School

Lake City HS nickname: ?

Lake City HS colors: ?

School Fight Song: ?

Lake City HS Inscription Above Front Door

A sign on the side of a building

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Provided by Bob Critchelow (2011 – Left click on photo for larger version)

Athletics

It is quite possible that the Lake City High School boys competed in sports against other schools from the area. If you have any information you can share regarding Lake City High School athletics, please write to us so we can add it to this page. School team nickname, uniform colors, coach’s names, seasonal records, and individual accomplishments are welcome.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Other activities such as school plays, FFA, FHA, GAA, band, and chorus may also have been a very important part of the Lake City High School student experience. Please contact us if you have information on these activities as well.

If You Have Any Information You Wish to Share:

Especially a photo of the high school building, please contact us by e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can also mail items to us at:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il. 60631

La Harpe High School “Eagles”

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

La Harpe High School Building Complex

http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/hancock/laharpe/sch_laharpe.html

La Harpe High School Entrance

A picture containing building, outdoor, sky, road

Description automatically generated

http://www.hancock.k12.il.us/laharpe/

The History of La Harpe High School

La Harpe (population 1,385) is located in upper-western Illinois in the northeastern corner of Hancock County. The Illinois Routes of 9 and 94 intersect on the western edge of the town. The Railroad lines of Keokuk Junction and Toledo, Peoria, & Western also meet in La Harpe. The Mississippi River flows about 10 miles to the west of town. Macomb is located about 15 miles to the southeast of La Harpe.

An excellent history of the town of La Harpe can be viewed at http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/hancock/laharpe/history_laharpe.html. In summary the article states the following:

The area of La Harpe was first explored in the early 1700s by a French Explorer named Bernard de LaHarpe. In the 1830s the town was established and was initially named Franklin. When the townspeople were advised that Franklin was a name already used by another town in Illinois, it was suggested to name the town La Harpe after the French explorer.

The town of La Harpe was chartered in 1859. It welcomed a railroad line in 1867, a new fire truck in 1888, and a new library in 1905.

La Harpe Grade School Building – First HS Bldg.?

A large building with a lawn in front of it

Description automatically generated with low confidence

A website regarding La Harpe School District is found at http://www.hancock.k12.il.us/laharpe/. The school was likely founded in the late 1800s. The high school has served the community and surrounding farm families for over 100 years. It was in the early 2000s that talks of consolidation arose.

La Harpe residents agreed to a consolidation effort with Carthage and Dallas City. The effort would create the Illini West School District. Illini West High School will be located in Carthage. This consolidation effort was realized at the end of the 2006-07 school year, causing the end of the era of La Harpe High School.

For more historical information on La Harpe and its former high school, check out the Wikipedia web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Harpe,_Illinois .

To view exerpts from “The Quill Newspaper” regarding La Harpe HS that were recorded during the school’s final month check out the web address of

http://www.quillnewspaper.com/2007/May/index.html .

La Harpe High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1898

Year closed: 2007

Number of graduates final year: 23

Consolidated to: Illini West School District (Carthage)

LaHarpe HS team nickname: the “Eagles”

LaHarpe HS team colors: Purple & Gold

School Fight Song: “We’re Loyal To You La Harpe High”

Provided by Jean Dougherty

We’re loyal to you La Harpe High
We’re purple and gold La Harpe High
We’ll back you to stand
We’re the best in the land
For we know you can stand, La Harpe High!

RAH! RAH!

So do all things right La Harpe High
Take all things in sight La Harpe High
Our team is our fame protector
On! boys, for we expect a
Victory from you La Harpe High!

Rah! Rah!

ATHLETICS

The La Harpe High School Eagles had some memorable seasons in several different sports. The boys competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track. The girls competed in softball, volleyball, basketball, and track. On the academic side the kids of La Harpe High School faired well in Speech Sweepstakes, Individual Events, and the Scholastic Bowl competitions.

We do need several season records and coach’s names from each sport. We would also like to share information regarding the school’s fight song.

BOYS BASEBALL

The boys of the baseball diamond had four seasons in which they earned some hardware in the IHSA State Tournament. Regional titles were won in 1997, 2002, 2004, and 2006. Former Coach Todd Porter tells us of the co-ops that La Harpe High School was a part of during the 1990s and 2000s:

“I was the varsity baseball coach for the LaHarpe-Northwestern Thunder from 1992-2003, which was the last year that co-op existed. I was also the varsity coach for what then became the LaHarpe-West Prairie Cyclones from 2004-2006.”

As you can tell by looking at the records below, Coach Porter’s teams had some incredible seasons. Coach Porter has carried on his winning tradition as the current head coach of Carthage Illini West High School.

1992-LH/NW 7 – 9 Coach Todd Porter

1993-LH/NW 8 – 4 Coach Todd Porter

1994-LH/NW 9 – 8 Coach Todd Porter

1995-LH/NW 16 – 8 Coach Todd Porter

1996-LH/NW 18 – 2 Coach Todd Porter

1997-LH/NW 20 – 6 Regional Champions Coach Todd Porter

1998-LH/NW 14 – 6 Coach Todd Porter

1999-LH/NW 22 – 7 Coach Todd Porter

2000-LH/NW 22 – 7 Coach Todd Porter

2001-LH/NW 27 – 6 Coach Todd Porter

2002-LH/NW 27 – 4 Regional Champions Coach Todd Porter

2003-LH/NW 8 – 17 Coach Todd Porter

2004-LH/WP 25 – 8 Regional Champions Coach Todd Porter

2005-LH/WP 19 – 6 Coach Todd Porter

2006-LH/WP 18 – 9 Regional Champions Coach Todd Porter

GIRLS SOFTBALL

The lady Eagles earned a trophy for their school as well. The girls of 1975-76 earned a Regional title trophy for the school. Team record and coach’s name of this and other softball teams at LCHS are needed.

1975-76 Regional Champions

BOYS BASKETBALL

The boys of the hardwood court earned three Regional titles in a very tough basketball area. One of the titles was won in the original one-class IHSA Tournament. Several scores involving La Harpe High School while participating in the annual IHSA Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores“. These scores are printed below. Again, coach’s names and team records are needed to help make this section complete.

1922-23 through 1932-33 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Augusta 48-34

Augusta won District Tournament

1934-35 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Burnside 44-22

Burnside won District Tournament

1936-37 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

1937-38 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

1938-39 Carthage District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Bowen 38-23

Bowen lost title game to Hamilton

1939-40 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

1940-41 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Plymouth 22-21

Plymouth lost in semi-final round

1942-43 Carthage Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Dallas City 35-17

Dallas City won Regional Tournament

1943-44 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

1944-45 Carthage Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Dallas City 48-29

Dallas City won Regional Tournament

1945-46 Carthage Regional Champions! Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Dallas City 42-33

Semi-final Beat Elvaston 34-24

Title Game Beat Warsaw 32-20

Macomb Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Canton 54-31

Canton lost title game to Galesburg

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

1st Rd lost to Hamilton 40-25

Hamilton lost title game to Dallas City

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

1st Rd lost to Dallas City 55-27

Dallas City lost title game to Carthage

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

1st Rd lost to Dallas City 56-29

Dallas City won Regional Tourney over Hamilton

1949-50 Carthage Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Carthage 59-38

Carthage won Regional Tournament over Bowen

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

1st Rd lost to Plymouth 74-40

Plymouth lost title game to Bowen

1951-52 8-15 Carthage Regional Tournament Coach Bob Jones

1st Rd lost to Carthage 66-26

Carthage lost in semi-final round

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

1st Rd lost to Bowen 71-39

Bowen won Regional over Carthage

1953-54 Carthage Regional Runner-up Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Hamilton 48-31

Semi-final Beat Augusta 44-40

Title Game lost to Bowen 48-36

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

1st Rd lost to Warsaw 53-44

Warsaw lost in semi-final round

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

1st Rd lost to Augusta 69-62

Augusta lost in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Carthage 61-45

Carthage lost title game to Plymouth

1957-58 Warsaw Regional Tournament Coach Evemeyer

1st Rd lost to Warsaw 82-35

Warsaw beat Carthage for title

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

1st Rd lost to Warsaw 70-40

Warsaw beat Carthage for title

1959-60 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Warsaw 67-63

Warsaw lost in semi-final round

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

1st Rd lost to Hamilton 62-47

Hamilton lost to Carthage in title game

1962-63 Dallas City Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Warsaw 56-45

Warsaw beat Dallas City for title

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

1st Rd lost to Warsaw 70-51

Warsaw beat Dallas City for title

1964-65 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1965-66 Dallas City Regional Runner-up Coach’s name & record needed

Title Game lost to Hamilton 72-56

1966-67 LaHarpe Regional Runner-up Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Carthage 52-42

Semi-final Beat Hamilton 62-53

Title Game lost to Dallas City 58-57 (2 O/Ts)

1967-68 Carthage Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Hamilton 68-37

Hamilton lost title game to Carthage

1968-69 18-7 Hamilton Regional Tournament Coach Logan

1st Rd lost to Augusta 63-53

Augusta lost in semi-final round

1969-70 Dallas City Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Carthage 57-40

Carthage lost title game to Warsaw

1970-71 LaHarpe Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Carthage 80-50

Carthage lost to Hamilton in title game

1971-72 Hamilton Class ‘A’ Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Augusta SE 47-40

Augusta won Regional Title over Hamilton

1972-73 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ name needed.

1973-74 23-3 Regional Champions Coach Steve Mitchell

Title Game Beat Nauvoo-Colusa 68-59
Quincy Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Quincy Catholic Boys 77-63

Quincy Catholic Boys won Sectional over Havana

Quincy Catholic Boys placed 4th at State Tourney

1974-75 through 1981-82 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ name needed.

1982-83 Regional Champions Coach’s name & record needed

Regional Scores Needed

Lewistown Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Beardstown 78-50

Beardstown lost title game to Havana

Havana placed 4th at State Tournament

1983-84 through 2000-01 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

2001-02 Coach David Billitor (partial season 2 – 7)

2001-02 through 2006-07 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

*LaHarpe High School closed after the 2006-07 school year to join the Carthage Illini West School District.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The girls did not win any IHSA tourney hardware, but we are confident there were some nice seasons in the school’s history. Coach Jim Cox led the charge in the late 1980s. More team records and coach’s names are needed to complete the history of this sport for La Harpe High School.

1987-88 6 – 16 Coach Jim Cox

1988-89 2 – 20 Coach Jim Cox

BOYS FOOTBALL

The football program at La Harpe High School ventured into the IHSA State football playoffs twice in the late 1980s. Coach Tim Lafferty led the grid iron heroes from at least 1986 through 1991. We know that the La Harpe boys played football through the close of the school as they were part of the West Prairie co-op between LHS and Sciota Northwestern. Any further information on this program is welcome.

1951-52 5 – 2 – 1 Coach Bob Jones

1957-58 Coach Don Corry

1968-69 3 – 4 – 1 Coach Ray Downs

1985-86 5 – 4 (Coach’s name needed)

1986-87 6 – 4 IHSA Class 1A Qualifier Coach Tim Lafferty

Lost to Warsaw 16 – 8

1987-88 6 – 4 IHSA Ciass 1A Qualifier Coach Tim Lafferty

Lost to Roseville 20 – 0

1988-89 0 – 9 Coach Tim Lafferty

1989-90 0 – 9 Coach Tim Lafferty

1990-91 2 – 7 Coach Tim Lafferty

1991-92 3 – 6 Coach Tim Lafferty

We are told that La Harpe High School co-oped with with Sciota Northwestern and were known as the “Thunder” in football through the consolidation of Northwestern and Colchester (who formed the West Prairie School District). The West Prairie – La Harpe co-op was then called the “Cyclones”.

As a part of this co-op arrangement, the La Harpe folks enjoyed some incredible football success, including SECOND place finishes in the IHSA State Finals in 1996 and 2000!

La Harpe football results as part of the co-op with Sciota Northwestern and West Prairie schools:

As Sciota Northwestern – La Harpe “Thunder”:

1992-95 Coach Tim Lafferty

1995-96 10 – 2 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Stronghurst Southern 34 – 8

Beat Flanagan 34 – 8

Lost to Carthage 14 – 0

Carthage State Champions

1996-97 13 – 1 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

TEAM FINISHED SECOND IN STATE!!

Beat ROWVA 26 – 0

Beat Biggsville Union 41 – 0

Beat Monmouth Warren 20 – 13

Beat Greenfield 14 – 10

Lost to Chenoa 35 – 28

1997-98 9 – 1 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

Undefeated Regular Season

Lost to Villa Grove 14 – 9

1998-99 7 – 3 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

Lost to Sterling Newman 35 – 8

Newman finished 2ND

1999-00 10 – 2 Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Forreston 30 – 8

Beat Walter Lutheran 36 – 35 (O/T)

Lost to Fulton 34 – 7

2000-01 13 – 1 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

Undefeated Regular Season

TEAM FINISHED SECOND IN STATE!!

Beat Yorkwood 39 – 8

Beat Forreston 32 – 14

Beat Lexington 35 – 7

Beat East Dubuque 23 – 16

Lost to Carthage 14 – 0

2001-02 11 – 1 Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

Undefeated Regular Season

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Iroquois West 42 – 0

Beat Tuscola 28 – 15

Lost to Moweaqua 26 – 18

Moweaqua Finished 2ND

2002-03 10 – 2 Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Virginia 50 – 6

Beat Beardstown 38 – 13

Lost to Carthage 30 – 8

Carthage Finished 2ND

As West Prairie-La Harpe Cyclones:

2003-04 9 – 2 Qualified for Class 3A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

Beat Petersburg PORTA 42 – 20

Lost to Tolono 21 – 14

2005-06 7 – 3 Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs Coach Tim Lafferty

Lost to Bushnell-Prairie City 38 – 27

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

One District title and two Regional Championships were the highlights of the lady netters program. This includes one great “last hurrah” as the Cyclones won the last Regional title in the school’s history in the school’s final year of existence. Team records and coach’s names of these and other great Eagle volleyball teams are needed.

1981-82            District Champions
1997-98            Regional Champions
2006-07            Regional Champions

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

The Eagle thin clads had four boys earn medals at the IHSA State Track meet. Two of those individuals, a gentleman named Claycomb and Gene Maynard, earned Gold Medals! In fact, Gene Maynard earned his under the old one-class system, earning him the unquestionable state championship in his event, the 880 Yard Run !!

1921B Individual Medalists

              Claycomb              440 Yard Dash      State Champion!!
Hancock                100 Yard Dash      4TH Place
Nelson                   Pole Vault            4TH Place

1949 Gene Maynard 880 Yard Run 3RD Place

1950 Gene Maynard 880 Yard Run State Champion!!

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

The Eagle lady tracksters had one individual medal at the IHSA State Meet. Jaimie Jones earned medals in FOUR consecutive trips to the State Finals in her specialty, the high jump!! In her junior and senior years Jamie captured the IHSA Class ‘A’ STATE CHAMPIONSHIP as part of the Northwestern-LaHarpe Girls Track Coop effort!!

1995A Jaime Jones High Jump 3RD Place

1996A Jaime Jones High Jump 2ND Place

1997A Jamie Jones High Jump STATE CHAMPION!!

1998A Jamie Jones High Jump STATE CHAMPION!!

OTHER EXTRA-CURRICULAR COMPETITIONS

The IHSA also offers competition in non-sporting events as well. La Harpe High School faired well, bringing home hardware in the “Speech Individual Events”, “Speech Sweepstakes”, and “Scholastic Bowl” competitions!!!!

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

1958 Individual Medalist – Delbert Dahl After Dinner 4TH Place

1959 Individual Medalist – Karen Moyes After Dinner 3RD Place

1960 Individual Medalist – Karen Moyes Orat. Declam. 5TH Place

1960-61 Team Won District and Sectional Championships!!

1961-62 Team Won District Championship

1961 Individual Medalist – David Louden Orig. Comedy 3RD Place

1968-69 Team Won Sectional Championship

1969 Individual Medalist – Jackie Howd Orat. Declam. 3RD Place

SCHOLASTIC BOWL

1999-00 24 – 4 Team Place FOURTH in IHSA Competition!! Coach Barbara Ramsey

Team Won Sectional Championship

SPEECH SWEEPSTAKES

1953-54 Team Won District Championship

1957-58 Team Won District Championship

1959-60 Team Won District and Sectional Championship

LA HARPE HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

*Charlie Apt – Principal 1984-85 to 2003-04

We Are Seeking Further Information…

…regarding La Harpe High School’s Cyclones. If you can help us out please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. We are especially looking for a photo of the school building. You may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

La Harpe High School Building Entrance Letters

LaFox Broadview Academy “Beavers”

Posted on March 3, 2022August 15, 2024 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Broadview Academy Grounds

The History of LaFox Broadview Academy

LaFox (population 50?) is a small village located in northeastern Illinois in the central portion of Kane County. LaFox is situated at the intersection of County Highway 41 (Keslinger Road) and County Highway 81 (LaFox Road). The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad travels by the north side of town. LaFox is about one mile west of Geneva and 1 mile northwest of the city limits of Batavia.

A very nice history of LaFox Broadview Academy is located at the web address of http://broadviewacademy.org/history . A summary of this article is as follows:

Swedish Academy, Precursor to Broadview Academy

The Seventh Day Adventist Church established the Broadview Swedish Academy in Broadview, Illinois in 1909. The facilities were completed on 48 acres of land in 1914. In 1922 the facility’s name was changed to the Broadview College and Theological Seminary. This lasted until 1934 when the name was again when the school merged with Fox River Academy in Sheridan, Illinois and the Hinsdale Sanitarium Academy. The name of the school was changed to Broadview Academy.

In 1958 the Academy purchased Savage-Marydale farm near LaFox, Illinois. The land in Broadview was sold. Construction on the new location began that year. The school was a boarding school with separate living quarters for boys and girls. At the time it was built, the Academy was surrounded by farms for miles. However today, the population growth has reached the area and surrounds the Acedemy grounds.

View of Broadview Academy campus circa 2007

Since its opening Broadview Academy graduated over 3,000 students. Financial strife and low enrollment led to the closing of Broadview Academy after the 2006-07 school year. Today the grounds are rented out to various groups.

LaFox Broadview Academy Quick Facts

Year established: 1909 (Broadview)

Year moved to LaFox: 1958

Year closed: 2007

School Slogan: “Character Above Intellect”

School team nickname: “Beavers”

School team colors: Blue & Gold

School fight song: “Dear Old Broadview”

Three cheers for dear old Broad-view:
The school we love the best.
Our prais-es to thee Broad-view;
Your ban-ners wave above the rest.
And to our Al-ma Ma-ter,
Our homage we will pay
And loy-al we will ev-er be to B. V. A.

We’ve come to dear old Broad-view,
From all through-out the land.
And when we leave her por-tals,
Forev-er true to her we’ll stand.
For in our hearts will ling-er,
A-long life’s cheer-y way,
The mem – o – ry of our
School days at B. V. A.

ATHLETICS

We located a few yearbooks for LaFox Broadview Academy on the internet. The yearbooks list sports competed in by the Broadview Academy “Beavers”. These sports include boys and girls basketball, volleyball, soccer, and football. It is possible that other sports such as track, cross country, baseball and softball were offered.

There are no listings for Broadview Academy in the history sections of the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). We are searching for season records, individual accomplishments, coaches names, and other interesting information regarding LBA.

Extra-Curricular Activities

We are confident many activities in addition to athletics were offered at LaFox Broadview Academy. If you have any information regarding the activities offered at Broadview Academy please contact us via the means listed below.

TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING LAFOX BROADVIEW ACADEMY:

If you any further information you wish to see added to the LaFox Broadview Academy page please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can also write to us via USPS at the following address:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, IL. 60631

LaFayette High School “Panthers”

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

LaFayette High School

LaFayette, Illinois

Lafayette High School

Panther Mascot

The History of LaFayette High School

The village of LaFayette is located on IL Rt. 17, approximately 12 miles south-southwest of Kewanee. The population of 227 sits quietly on the western boundry of Stark County. The first classes at LaFayette High School were held in 1891 in a building downtown. The high school moved to a location on the southern edge of the town in 1899, where that building still stands today.

LHS was deactivated in 1970 when LaFayette merged with Toulon, along with the grade school in West Jersey, to create Toulon-LaFayette High School. The LaFayette High School building was home to the grade school kids from the area until 1978.

Toulon LaFayette High School merged with Wyoming High School in 1992 to create Stark County High School located in Toulon.

The LaFayette High School building still stands tall and is owned by the LaFayette Park District, where it is rented out for family reunions and alumni dinners.

LaFayette High School Quick Facts

Year school opened: 1891

Year school closed: 1970

School colors: Purple & White

School nickname: “Panthers”

School Fight Song: see below

LaFayette High School Fight Song

Three cheers for old LaFayette High

We’re out to win this game by and by

For our team will do its part

We’ve got the spirit from the start

We’ll take the victory

We’ll take the fall

Old LaFayette High will win over all

And we’ll live up to our name

Of Good Ole LaFayette High!

Rah! Rah!

Athletics

LaFayette became a member of the Inter-County Activities Conference during the 1952-53 school year. Prior to that, the Panthers had been members of the Star League, which included schools from Oneida, Altona, Williamsfield, Wataga, and Victoria. LaFayette High School competed in basketball, football, baseball, cross-country, and track. More information is being sought regarding the records and coach’s names of the teams

Boys Basketball

According to the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org), LaFayette High School basketball was a great success in LaFayette. LHS brought home SEVEN District titles during its existence. Pretty incredible for probably one of the smaller schools in its area! LaFayette High School basketball successes are listed below. Under the guidance of Coach Ken Elliot, the Panthers went 128-52 from 1930-1939, winning 23 trophies over that period. More information is being sought regarding the records and coach’s names of the teams.

Several scores involving LaFayette High School in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below.

1921-22 Galesburg District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Williamsfield 26-12

Williamsfield lost in title game to Galesburg

1922-23 through 1933-34 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

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

1st Rd Beat Cambridge 44-35

2nd Rd lost to Wethersfield 38-19

Wethersfield lost to Kewanee in semi-final

Kewanee beat Alpha for the title

1935-36 Galva District Champions Coach Ken Elliot

1st Rd Beat New Windsor 35-21

Semi-final Beat Annawan 39-11

Title Game Beat Galva 25-24

IHSA Regional Tourney

Regional Scores / Info Needed

1936-37 Galva Regional Tournament Coach Ken Elliot

(record needed)

1st Rd Beat Viola 24-20

2nd Rd lost toAlpha 26-23

Alpha beat Kewanee in title game

1937-38 Postseason scores & record needed Coach Ken Elliot

1938-39 IHSA District Champions Coach Ken Elliot

District scores/Information needed

Kewanee Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Wethersfield 20-18

Semi-final lost to Galva 24-21

Galva lost to Kewanee in title game

Lafayette High School Basketball

1938-39 District Champs with Coach Ken Elliot

1939-40 IHSA District Champions Coach Ken Elliot

District scores/Information needed

IHSA Regional Tournament

Regional scores/Information needed

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

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

1042-43 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

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

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

1945-46 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

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

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

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

1st Rd lost to Sheffield 52-40

Sheffield lost to Atkinson in semi-final

Atkinson beat Cambridge for title

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

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

1st Rd lost to Neponset 44-43

Neponset lost to Sheffield in semi-final

Sheffield lost to Mineral in title game

1951-52 Atkinson District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Atkinson 36-29

Atkinson beat Neponset in semi-final

Atkinson lost to Mineral in title game

1952-53 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

1953-54 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

1954-55 12-7 IHSA District Champions Coach Dick Higgins

District scores/Information needed

Canton Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Lewistown 53-52

Semi-final lost to Farmington 62-51

Farmington lost to Canton in title game

1955-56 13-7 IHSA District Champions Coach Dick Higgins

District scores/Information needed

Farmington Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Cuba 73-37

Cuba lost to Peoria Spalding in semi-final

Spalding beat Lewistown for title

1956-57 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

1957-58 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

1958-59 Williamsfield District Champions Coach L.E. Davis

Semi-final Beat Williamsfield 52-51 (O/T)

Title Game Beat Brimfield 62-55

Canton Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Farmington 65-54

Farmington lost title game to Canton

1959-60 18-7 Williamsfield District Tournament Coach L.E. Davis

Semi-final lost to Williamsfield 47-43

Williamsfield lost to Brimfield in title game

1960-61 IHSA District Champions Coach L.E. Davis

District scores/Information needed

Canton Regiional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Cuba 61-44

Cuba lost semi-final to Farmington

Farmington beat Canton for title

1961-62 Annawan District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Neponset 65-45

Semi-final lost to Annawan 55-39

Annawan beat Buda Western for title

1962-63 Annawan District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Neponset 63-43

Semi-final lost to Buda Western

Buda Western lost to Annawan in title game

1063-64 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

1964-85 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

1965-66 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

1966-67 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

Lafayette High School Basketball

1966-67

1967-68 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s names needed.

1968-69 Kewanee District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Toulon 62-44

Toulon Beat Neponset for title

1969-70 Toulon District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

**1st Rd lost to Bradford 80-55

Bradford beat Toulon in title game

**Final basketball game for LaFayette High School “Panthers.” Consolidated with Toulon in the summer of 1970 to form Toulon-LaFayette High School.

Football

LaFayette offered football beginning in 1897. Not much is known about the Panthers’ gridiron stories or how long LaFayette hosted the sport.

It is known that the 1922-23 season (see photo below) was unbelievable for the Panthers. That season, led by their Coach, Professor Dunlap, little LHS finished 9-0 outscoring opponents 341-41!! Victories that year included a 73-0 win over Woodhull and a 76-0 defeat over Neponset. Only three schools scored on the Panthers that season: Abingdon, Chillicothe, and Toulon. The final game of the year was against Stark County rival Toulon, in which the 39-6 LHS win was witnessed by more than 1,200 people. No football was played between 1924 and 1927 at LaFayette. The sport was brought back in 1928, but for how long, is not known at this time.

LaFayette High School Football Team of 1923

Undefeated 9-0 Season

Cross-Country

LaFayette began offering the long distance sport in 1934 under the tutelage of Coach Ken Elliot, who also served as boys’ basketball and track coach. In a dual meet LHS defeated Pekin that first year, handing PHS their first dual meet loss in the sport in 4 years. During LaFayette’s “run” in the sport of Cross Country, the Panthers faced such competitors as big schools from Evanston, Oak Park, Bloomington, LaSalle-Peru, and Champaign. At this time it is not known how long the sport was offered at LHS.

Baseball

Not much is known at this time about the LaFayette High School baseball teams. The Panthers were Conference champs in the Inter-County Athletic Conference (ICAC) during the 1958-59 season. That year the Panthers went 5-0 in conference play behind the .563 average of Junior Bob Jones. More information is needed on the baseball program at LaFayette High.

1958-59 5-0 ICAC Champs Coach unknown

Track & Field

We know that the boys competed in the annual Stark County Track & Field Meet through the closing of the school in 1970. The LaFayette High School boys won a Stark County High School Track Meet championship in 1923. The following information regarding this meet was provided to us by John Ballentine:

“The Stark County track/field and declamatory meet was a major event for decades. It was fiercely fought in order to win that particular year and claim county bragging rights. Businesses and schools, even the grade schools, were closed early in order to attend the afternoon meet. Main streets resembled ghost towns because a majority of the county’s population was at the contest.

Records were kept and trophies, plaques, ribbons, etc. were awarded. Yet, in 1990 the county meet could no longer be held. Castleton High no longer existed, Toulon and LaFayette Highs were consolidated, and Bradford began co-opting with Tiskilwa to form a track team. Since Tiskilwa was not part of Stark County, this eliminated Bradford’s participation leaving only Toulon-LaFayette and Wyoming as the competitors from the original 5 schools. Therefore, the meet was permanently discontinued after 1989.”

Other Sports

It is also known that LaFayette offered Bowling. More information is needed on accomplishments in that sport along with any information on Track & Field teams from LaFayette.

Great Coach

Not only his success on the hardwood floors at LaFayette High School, Ken Elliot was the head man behind Cross-Country and the Track & Field teams at LaFayette High School from 1930 to 1939. In basketball, Coach Elliot garnered a record of 128-52 in those years, winning 23 trophies for LHS. Coach Elliot also started up the Cross Country program in 1934, a rarity for such a small school. Ken Elliot left the LaFayette school district for Maquon, where he took over coaching duties for their boy’ basketball and track & field teams.

LaFayette High School Enrollment (Grades 9 – 12)

1954-55 38

1955-56 42

1956-57 47

We Are Seeking More Information

We are looking for information regarding the better teams which competed at LaFayette. Also, any information regarding the nickname, school colors, ect. would be appreciated. You can supply this information by completing a School Submission Form or by writing us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

LaFayette High School

Side View

LaFayette High School

Ladd High School

Posted on March 3, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Ladd High School Building

Jim Piacenti at http://genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/Villages/ladd/village.html

Ladd School Students 1896 submitted byJim Piacenti

A group of people posing for a photo

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“Ladd High Room St. Patric’s (sic) Day – 1896 We Never Say Fail!”

The History of Ladd High School

Ladd (population 1,313) is located in north-central Illinois in the southeast portion of Bureau County. Ladd is located on Illinois Route 89 approximately 1 mile north Interstate Highway 80. Two railroad lines, the Burlington Northern & Sante Fe and the Illinois Railnet Inc., travel to and from Ladd. For a point of reference, Ladd is approximately 4 miles northwest of the LaSalle/Peru metropolitan area.

A nice history of the town of Ladd written by Jim Piacenti can be viewed at the web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/Villages/ladd/history.html . In summary the article states the following:

The town of Ladd was incorporated in 1890. It began as a mining community in the late 1880s. The town was named after George Ladd, an early businessman of the village. The Ladd’s population quickly grew and reached into the 2000s by the early 1920s. The mine closed, however, in 1924. This ended the time of growth for the village. Ladd has maintained its current population of approximately 1,300 residents for several years now.

We first became aware that the Ladd school system offered high school courses through a photo on the web page of http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/Villages/ladd/village.html . This was due to the excellent research conducted by Roberta VanBriesen. This page includes a photo of two school buildings, one of which is identified as “High School Ladd Illinois”.

An excellent history of the Ladd School system and Ladd High School was provided to us below by Jim Piacenti.

“On April 30, 1864, the District No. 8 School was organized and a one room schoolhouse was built about a half mile north of present day Ladd. It was known as the Borger School because it was on land owned by Irwin Borger. In the spring of 1888, a sinking crew came to the area to sink a coal mine shaft. It took the crew a year and a half and six attempts at sinking a shaft but they were finally successful on December 31, 1889. Citizens of the Village voted to incorporate on June 7, 1890, and it was around this time the Borger School was moved to the present day school grounds. A two-story four room school building was also built on the school grounds at this time and a west wing was added to it shortly after that. It is the building on the right in this photo. High school classes were taught in one room of this wooden building. I have a photo of one of the “High Room” classes taken in front of this building in 1896. The brick building on the left was built in 1909 for $11,000.00. It was a two-story four room school that housed the the seventh and eighth grades along with a two year high school. The high school I believe was short lived with students going to Hall Township High School in Spring Valley when it was built in 1914. Classes continued in both of the Ladd school buildings. In the late 1930s as a WPA project the Ladd High School building was added onto and the wooden building was razed.

I do believe that the High School was closed around 1914 even though I have yet to find a document that states the exact date that it closed. The reason I think that is because of the sources I used in writing the Ladd history book. I have those sources below. Also when I was researching for the Ladd history book I talked to some of the older residents of Ladd and no one remembered the Ladd High School. I think I would’ve been able to find someone that remembered it had it closed in the late 1930s or early 1940s.

In the History of Ladd that was written in 1935 by the grade school students under the direction of Dan Burne Jones, it states that in 1908: “The men (Board of Education) decided to bond the district for the sum of $11,000.00 and the money was used to construct the present brick building which housed the seventh and eighth grades and the High school.” The important thing here is that it states “housed” and not houses. The high school isn’t mentioned again in that book. Although the grade school is mentioned quite a bit.

The 1940 souvenir booklet from the 50th Anniversary doesn’t mention the High School at all only that the present brick building was built after 1908 for $11,000.00.

The 1965 souvenir booklet from the 75th Anniversary states that after the brick building was constructed in 1908: “The seventh and eighth grade pupils were transferred to the new structure, and a two year High School and Business Course was instituted and taught in the new brick building before Hall High School came into existence.”

If you have any further information regarding Ladd High School please contact us via the means listed at the bottom of this page.

Ladd High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1909

Year closed: 1914

Consolidated to: Hall Township High School (Spring Valley)

Ladd HS nickname: unavailable

Team uniform colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

We believe that Ladd High School offered boys basketball, competing with other schools in the area and in the IHSA State Tournament. We believe it is possible that track and baseball were also a part of the sports program at Ladd High School.

School team nicknmae, uniform colors, fight song, coach’s names, team records, and other items would be a welcome addition to the Ladd High School page.

Extra-Curricular Activities

We can imagine that the kids from Ladd had a very active time at Ladd High School. Dances, chorus, band, plays, and clubs were all likely a part of the LHS experience.

Seeking Further Information

If you have any information regarding the former Ladd High School system please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You may write to us via U.S. Postal Service at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Lacon High School “Lions”

Posted on March 3, 2022April 23, 2024 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Lacon High School

Lacon, Illinois

Lacon High School Cornerstone

A picture containing building, outdoor, sky, street

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The History of Lacon High School

The city of Lacon (population 1,979) is located along the banks of the Illinois River at the intersection of IL Routes 17 & 29. This places Lacon in the middle of Marshall County, about 25 miles north and a little east of Peoria. The Lacon/Marshall County Airport is located on the southeast side of town.

This history of the town itself was provided by Kev Varney:

Lacon was the first town to be laid out in what is now Marshall County (named after the former chief justice of the Supreme Court from 1801-1835, John Marshall) while it was still part of Putnam County in 1831. The town’s original name was Columbia, but changed to Lacon five years later when it was discovered that there was another Columbia in Illinois. The name “Lacon” came from a philosophical writing of the same name by Rec. C.C. Colton. Marshall County was created in 1839 and Lacon was chosen as the county seat on April 6th of that year. The county’s population grew quickly, going from 1,849 in 1840 to 5,180 in 1850, and caused Marshall County to be divided into townships.

Lacon’s educational history goes back to 1837 when a school was established. The first high school for Lacon came in 1857, and served the community until after World War Two when the district merged with the Varna school district (also listed on this website) to form Mid-County.

Here’s a link to a picture of the former Lacon Union High School: http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/marshall/LaconPhotos/Laconphoto2.html

Lacon has had many decades of solid education offered to its children. The high school was technically named the Lacon Union High School. An addition was made to the school building in the 1940’s and the school was renamed Lacon Community High School. In 1949, Lacon and nearby Varna began consolidation talks. There was a major statewide consolidation effort at the time which saw many schools merge at the time. The two towns came to an agreement and merged their schools to create the Mid-County School system. The high school was located in Varna and a grade school was located in Lacon, where it still operates today.

Lacon High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1902

Year closed: 1949

Consolidated to: Mid-County School District (Varna)

School nickname: “Lions”

School colors: Maroon & White

School Fight Song: LACON LOYALTY

Provided by Marcia Burroughs

From 1935 Lacon High School Yearbook.

LACON LOYALTY

She stands for her fair sons and daughters,

She stands for the rest of them all,

In our hearts there’s a place of reverence

For her, the school that we dearly love.

So onward and ever we’ll follow

Her motto of “Fair in play.”

Our loyalty to our high school

Is such that time cannot take it away.

(Chorus)

So here’s to Lacon High, our Alma mater,

So here’s to dear old Lacon High.

Through every conflict, faithful, we’ll stand by her.

While Maroon and White her colors fly,

Come on, stand by maroon and white,

For while her faithful sons and daughters,

We’ll lead her on to victory.

Music—- Putty Belle Riel ’38

Words—-Doroty Wonk ’33

Gymnasium – Lacon High School

A red truck parked in front of a brick building

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ATHLETICS

Boys Basketball and Track were offered to the Lacon High School boys. This is evidenced by the earning of IHSA hardware listed on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org). We are wondering if Lacon also offered baseball as many schools of its day did. We are in need of information from a Lacon fanatic.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Lacon boys won three District titles in basketball. The coaches’ names and overall records of these teams is not known. We are hopeful someone will share this information with us as well as information on other great Lacon teams. Several basketball scores involving Lacon participating in the IHSA State Tourney were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores. The scores are copied below.

1920-21 LaSalle District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Sheffield 44-6

2nd Rd lost to Marseilles 26-22

Streator beat LaSalle in title game.

—

1921-22 Peoria District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Metamora 25-10

Peoria beat Morton in title game

—

1922-23 through 1929-30 scores not available.

—

1930-31 Wenona District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Minonk 21-10

Wenona beat Minonk in title game.

—

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

1st Rd Beat Tonica 20-17

2nd Rd lost to Minonk 15-14

Wenona beat Minonk in title game

—

1932-33 Wenona District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Henry 21-17

Long Point beat Henry in title game.

—

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

1st Rd Beat Long Point 32-22

2nd Rd lost to Granville 15-4

Granville beat Minonk in title game.

—

1934-35 Wenona District Champions Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Magnolia 32-6

Semi-Final Beat Rutland 14-11 (O/T)

Title Game Beat Henr4y 15-13.

Ottawa Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to DePue 20-18

Peoria Central beat DePue in title game 36-24.

—

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

1st Rd lost to Minonk 29-13

Toluca beat Granville in title game.

—

1936-37 Wenona District Champions Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Henry 40-14

Semi-Final Beat Dana 32-28

Title Game Beat Tonica 24-20

Wenona Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Granville 26-8

Toluca beat Rutland in title game.

—

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

—

1938-39 Wenona District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Lostant 28-19

Semi-Final lost to Minonk 19-14.

Toluca beat Minonk in title game.

—

1939-40 Wenona Regional Tournament Coach Fred Wehling

1st Rd lost to Toluca 35-26

Granville beat Toluca in title game

(Team did not compete in District Tourney this season.)

—

1940-41 Wenona Regional Champions Coach’s name & record needed.

(Team did not compete in District this season.)

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat Granville 19-17

Semi-Final Beat Toluca 31-25

Title Game Beat Wenona 23-22

LaSalle Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to El Paso 30-29

El Paso lost to Spring Valley in semi-final

Streator beat Spring Valley in title game.

—

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

1st Rd lost to Minonk 49-19

Granville beat Wenona in title game.

—

1942-43 Wenona Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Minonk 60-22

Granville beat Cornell in title game.

—

1943-44 Lacon Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Toluca 33-23

Lostant beat Toluca in title game.

—

1944-45 Wenona Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Cornell 52-25

Toluca beat Henry in title game.

—

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

1st Rd lost to Granville 34-25

Granville beat Cornell in title game.

—

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

—

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

1st Rd lost to Henry 58-27

Henry beat Minonk in title game.

—

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

**1st Rd lost to Henry 51-45

Henry beat Granville in title game.

**Final varsity boys basketball game for Lacon High School. Became part of the Mid-County School District in the summer of 1949.

—

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

One individual brought home a medal from the IHSA State Track Meet. Robert Newell achieved this in 1927. Mr. Newell went on to coach and teach, including a stint at Sparland where he had a very successful run in baseball.

1926-27 Robert Newell Javelin 3rd Place

1947-48 Tri-County Conference Track Meet Champions

—–

BOYS BASEBALL

1947-48 Tri-County Conference Champions

—

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION

We are looking for more information regarding Lacon High School and its many great accomplishments. If you would like to offer information regarding LHS, please submit a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form. We are especially interested in photos of the old school building and great teams and coaches in Lacon High School history. You can e-mail us this information at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you may write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Lacon High School Football Goalpost

La Clede High School

Posted on March 3, 2022November 15, 2024 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

La Clede School Building 2015

Now a Private Residence

The History of La Clede High School

La Clede (population approximately 200) is located in southeastern Illinois in the southeastern portion of Fayette County. La Clede is situated about 21 miles southwest of Effingham. Illinois Route 37 is the main roadway that takes you to and from La Clede. County Roads 2900 E, 2850 E,, 950 N, and 970 N all lead to La Clede as well. The Illinois Central Railroad passes through La Clede, as it mirrors Route 37.

The history of the town of La Clede and its former high school have proven difficult to research via the internet. If you have any information regarding the village of La Clede and how it was so named, please contact us via the means listd at the bottom of this article.

We do know that La Clede supported a 2-year high school for quite some time. La Clede High School was established for the 1924-25 school year acording to a newspaper article posted below by Travis Wilson. We know that La Clede High School served the community and surrounding farm families through the early 1940s. It was in 1942 that the school districts of Farina, La Clede, and Lone Grove townships joined together to form the La Grove School District. The high school was located in the area’s largest town, Farina.

Farina La Grove High School lasted until 1990 when it merged with nearby Kinmundy-Alma High School. The newly formed South Central School District continues to be located in Farina. There is no longer a school in La Clede, all students attend school in Farina.

La Clede High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1924

Year closed: 1942

Consolidated to: Farina La Grove High School

Kids Now Attend: Farina South Central High School

La Clede HS team nickname: unavailable

La Clede HS team colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

ATHLETICS

We know the kids of La Clede High School participated in the sport of boys basketball. It is likely that baseball and track were offered as well. We are searching for the La Clede High School team nickname, uniform colors, and school fight song as well as the coaches names and season records in the school’s history.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The La Clede High School boys played basketball, participating in the annual IHSA state tournament for many years. A website with the address of http://sites.google.com/site/xtmi2000/il1935dist-1 provides scores for the IHSA tournament beginning at the District level. The following result was located for La Clede High School.

Effingham District Tournament – 1935

Beecher City 39, La Clede 16 (1st Round)

Please contact us if you have any further information regarding La Clede High School athletics.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We are confident school dances, plays, chorus, band, graduation ceremonies and a host of other activities were offered at La Clede High School.

IF YOU ANY FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net if you have any further information regarding

La Clede High School. You can also contact us via real mail at the following address:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il. 60631