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Warrensburg High School

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Warrensburg High School Building 1922 – 1950
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Submitted by Sally Hursh

The History of Warrensburg High School

Warrensburg (population 1,289) is located in central Illinois about six miles northwest of Decatur.  Illinois Route 121 is the main roadway taking you to and from this near-northwestern Macon County town.  The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad also makes its way through Warrensburg.

The town was first discussed being platted in 1841.  It was in 1861 that the Illinois Central Railroad was established through the area where Warrensburg was eventually inhabited.  The town was officially incorporated in 1882.  More on the history of Warrensburg can be read at the town’s official  website address of  http://www.warrensburgillinois.info/.

The following history of the educational system in Warrensburg was provided by Sally Hursh as reprinted from a book titled “Warrensburg 1882-1982 – Warrensburg, Illinois.”

**From pp. 33-34:

“By 1879 a two-room school was built and later became the grade school.

In 1890 enrollment had increased to fifty-six students which included thirty-seven males and nineteen females. The enrollment was larger than what the building could accommodate so part of the advanced students were taught in the Church of God chapel.”

“Warrensburg was just a plain district school until sometime in the 1890s when it became a grade school and the first Commencement exercises were held on May 12, 1899 in the Methodist Church (first built in 1875) .  .  .

Warrensburg School Building 1877 – 1917
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Submitted by Sally Hursh
Warrensburg School Grade School 1893-1917
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Submitted by Sally Hursh

In 1917 the old wooden building was replaced with a fine new building. It opened with J. E. Hursh, Miss Goodwin, Julie Faith and Millie Vaught as teachers.

Since that day, however, the fine brick building has become the village grade school  when the Community High School was erected on the northeast corner of the town of Warrensburg in 1925.”

Warrensburg Grade School – Built 1917
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Photo by Sally Hursh

**p. 35:

“Prior to 1920 high school age students who wanted to go to high school were required to pay tuition to attend schools outside the area. Most attended Stephen Decatur.”

“Residents of Illini Township passed a referendum in 1920, establishing the right to tax for funds to operate and build a new high school in Warrensburg. Following the passing of the referendum, little time was lost in establishing a high school. The ninth and tenth grades began their class room studies that fall in the old grade school building. The new building was completed in 1922 in time for the 1922-1923 school year to open. Dedication of the new building followed in the spring of 1923.”

**On p. 37 is a picture identified as:

“Student body of Warrensburg High School in its first year of operation, 1920-1921.”

In the 1950 the towns of Warrensburg and Latham  agreed to pool their educational resources.  it was after the 1949-50 school year that the Warrensburg-Latham School District was established. The high school for the newly established district was, and remains today, located in Warrensburg.

Ralph Whitsitt provided the following information on Warrensburg High School and the fate of the original high school building:

“My father graduated from Warrensburg-Latham High School in 1951. This was the first year for the consolidated schools in Warrensburg and Latham. The old Warrensburg H.S. building was used as Warrensburg-Latham High for several years until a newer facility was built on the other side of Warrensburg in (I’m guessing here…) the late 1950’s. The old building survived until the 1980’s when it was finally torn down. I’m not sure what the building was used for (if anything)between the time the newer high school was built and when it was razed, but the old ag shop building which was next to the old high school was still standing as of a few years ago and appeared to be used for storage.”

Warrensburg High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                late 1800s (1877?)

Year closed:                                 1950

Consolidated to:                            Warrensburg-Latham School District

Warrensburg HS team nickname: the “Cardinals”

WHS team colors:                        Red & Gold

School Fight Song:                       unavailable
Athletics

The Warrensburg boys competed in basketball and track for sure, according to the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org).  It is is quite probable that baseball and possibly football were offered as well.  School team nickname, team colors, fight song, and other items of interst are being sought regarding the WHS athletic program.

Boys Basketball 

A total of FIVE District titles were earned by the Warrensburg High School boys basketball teams.  The best records and coach’s names of the Warrensburg HS basketball teams as found on the IHSA website are listed below. Several scores involving Warrensburg High School in the IHSA State Tourney were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores” and are listed below as well.

1921-22     3 – 13   Postseason scores needed                 Coach H.S. Nichols

1922-23     2 – 6     Postseason scores needed                  Coach George Orr

1923-24     5 – 3     Postseason scores needed                  Coach George Orr

1924-25   12 – 8     Postseason scores needed                  Coach George Orr

1925-26   11 – 8     Postseason scores needed                  Coach L.M. Handlin

1926-27   12 – 10   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Glen Asbury

1927-28   11 – 9     Postseason scores needed                  Coach Glen Asbury

1929-30   12 – 14   Postseason scores needed                  Coach George Harper

1930-31   29 – 14   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Carl Mitchell

    

1931-32   17 – 11   IHSA District Champions                   Coach Carl Mitchell

                              District Scores Needed

                              Matoon Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Hillsboro 30-21

Hillsboro beat Monticello in title game

Hillsboro lost to Berwyn in Elite 8 Rd.

Berwyn won state title

     

1932-33   16 – 10   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Carl Mitchell

     

1933-34   12 – 14   Decatur District Tournament                 Coach Carl Mitchell

                              Season Record Needed

                              1st Rd Beat Mt. Auburn 28-10

                              Lost in 2nd Rd (score unavailable)

1934-35     3 – 17  Decatur District Tournament                  Coach Frank Henry

                             1st Rd lost to Mt. Zion 43-12

Mt. Zion lost to Clinton in semi-final

Clinton beat Decatur in title game

             

1935-36     5 – 15  Maroa District Tournament                    Coach Frank Henry

                             1st Rd lost to Naintic 24-16

1936-37     5 – 16  Postseason Scores Needed                  Coach Scrkes



1937-38   15 – 9    Postseason Scores Needed                  Coach  J.J. Evers

1938-39     9 – 15  Postseason Scores Needed                  Coach J.J. Evers

   

1939-40      4 – 14 IHSA District Champions                    Coach Irl Schuyler

                             District Scores Needed

                             IHSA Regional Qualifier

                             Regional Scores Needed


1940-41      8 – 12 IHSA District Champions                    Coach Irl Schuyler

                             District Scores Needed

                             IHSA Regional Qualifier

                             Regional Scores Needed

   

1941-42    12 – 14 Decatur Regional Tournament              Coach Irl Schuyler

1st Rd lost to Moweaqua 27-24

Moweaqua lost to Tri-City in semi-final

Tri-City lost to Decatur in title game

1942-43    16 – 10  Postseason Scores Needed                  Coach Newton Drummond

1943-44    15 – 9    Postseason Scores Needed                  Coach Newton Drummond

1944-45    12 – 14  Postseason Scores Needed                  Coach Newton Drummond

   

1945-46    16 – 11  Decatur Regional Tournament              Coach Newton Drummond

1st Rd Beat Moweaqua 55-23

                              Semi-final lost to Decatur 77-34

Decatur beat Cerro Gordo in title game

Decatur lost in Elite 8 Rd.

1946-47    19 – 9    Decatur Regional Tournament              Coach Newton Drummond

1st Rd Beat Moweaqua 41-40 (O/T)

                              Semi-final lost to Decatur 81-37

Decatur beat Cerro Gordo in title game

Decatur lost in Sectional.

1947-48    19 – 7    IHSA District Champions                    Coach Newton Drummond

                              District Scores Needed

                              Decatur Regional Runner-Up

                              1st Rd Beat Mt. Zion 51-47

                              Semi-final Beat Decatur St. Theresa 45-44

                              Title Game lost to Decatur 60-33

Decatur lost in Sectional

1948-49    20 – 8    Niantic District Champions                Coach Newton Drummond

1st Rd Beat Stonington 60-29

                              Semi-final Beat Macon 79-52

                              Title Game Beat Niantic 46-35

                              Decatur Regional Runner-Up

                              1st Rd Beat Mt. Zion 48-39

                              Semi-final Beat Moweaqua 50-34

Title Game lost to Decatur 28-26

Decatur lost in Elite 8 Round

1949-50    17 – 7    Buffalo District Runner-Up                 Coach Newton Drummond

                              1st Rd Beat Latham 46-36

                              Semi-final Beat Macon 38-34

                              **Title Game lost to Riverton 45-42

**Final game for Warrensburg High School, consolidated with Latham in the summer of 1950.

Boys Track & Field

One male athlete made the town and school proud when he won a medal at the IHSA State Track Meet.

1937-38             John Major             Shot Put            2ND Place

Memories

   

**From Sally Hursh:

  

“The Warrensburg High School building was used as apartments for many years and has been torn down a long time ago. I remember one time many years ago when it just sat idle, I walked in and all around. On the walls of the narrow locker room upstairs were still the framed pictures of all the graduating classes in the 1930s as I recall.

In 1959, my senior year, we moved into the new high school which is still being used.

I do have another photo I will send you of this same school of which I took the 1970 picture

only it is dated dated about 1924. It was in some old things of my grandfather.”

Need Your Assistance

If you have any more information you can provide regarding Warrensburg High School please submit a Guest Commentary Form.  We like to share photos of the old school buildings and great teams and coaches if possible.  You can also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.     60631

Warrensburg Grade School Track Event
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Submitted by Sally Hursh (Photo Property of Joseph Elmo Hursh)
Warrensburg Grade School Building & Students
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Submitted by Sally Hursh (Photo Property of Joseph Elmo Hursh)
Warrensburg GS Track Meet in Front of School
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Submitted by Sally Hursh (Photo Property of Joseph Elmo Hursh)
Warrensburg-Latham High School Class of 1959
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Submitted by Sally Hursh


Walpole High School

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Walpole High School
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The History of Walpole High School

Walpole (population 25) is located in the far southern portion of Illinois in south-central Hamilton County.  According to www.MapQuest.com the town sits at the intersection of County Highway 11 and County Road 825E.  The map shows that these two roads are the only two streets in town.  County Highway 11 connects Walpole to Illinois Route 142 just four miles to the east.  Walpole is about 30 miles northeast of Carbondale.

Our good friend Gerry Halpin completed the research for this once thriving community which included a high school for the children of the area.

“Most of the following information is summarized from James Gholson’s website http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jgholson/walpoleIL.htm .  Mr. Gholson also put me in touch with former Walpole residents Joel Lasswell and Wanda Cross, who e-mailed more information.  Mrs. Cross is one of the last surviving students from Walpole High.

Walpole is a tiny village in southern Hamilton County, about 12 miles south of McLeansboro.  Gilbert Griswold came to the area in 1832 and started a store and post office.  In 1857 he platted a village of 60 lots.  At its peak, Walpole had two grist mills, several other businesses and a population of around 100 people.  One of the most prominent citizens of the 20th century was Palmer J. Lasswell, who was Postmaster and also operated the Walpole State Bank in the same building.  The bank closed in 1950, with Mr. Lasswell continuing as Postmaster until the Post Office closed in 1953.  Walpole today has less than 25 residents.

Walpole had a 3-year high school from 1927 to 1937, with students finishing their 4th year at McLeansboro or Eldorado.  The first high school building was a converted church with an addition.  This building suffered fire damage in 1934.  From 1934 to 1937, classes were held in the IOOF Hall.  Enrollment started at 50 students in 1927.  Some of the teachers were Lewis Massey, Linna Hamilton, Miss Moore, Arthur Coffey (principal and basketball coach) and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Powell.  There was great interest in the school’s basketball teams, particularly in games against archrival Broughton High School .  The teams apparently had no mascot or nickname.  Walpole had a small gymnasium, which was later used for grain storage before being razed just a few years ago.  In 1977 former WHS students held a first-ever school reunion on the schools’ 50th anniversary.  These reunions were continued for a few years.

Walpole area students today attend McLeansboro schools.
Walpole High School Quick FactsYear opened:                           1927

Year closed:                            1937

Consolidated to:                       McLeansboro High School

Walpole HS team nickname:     none

Walpole HS team colors:          unavailable

School Fight Song:                   none

Athletics

We are certain that the Walpole boys competed in basketball.  Baseball and track may also have been offered.  Walpole High School team uniform colors, coach’s names, and team records are all items we are interested in sharing.

Walpole High School Basketball Team of 1932
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Boys Basketball

Though only open 10 years, and only a three-year high school, the Walpole folks were quite supportive and proud of their basketball team.  Games against their archrival and neighboring town Broughton High School were said to “raise the roof” of the small Walpole gymnasium.

f You Have ANY Information You Wish To Share….

…regarding the history of Walpole and its former high school please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also mail items to us at the following address:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631

Walnut Grove Township High School

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
The History of Walnut Grove Township High School

Walnut Grove (population approximately 25) is located in upper-western Illinois in the northeastern portion of McDonough County.  Walnut Grove is an unincorporated hamlet that sits about 10 miles northeast of Macomb and 20 miles southwest of Galesburg.  The village is located at the intersection of County Highway 9 and County Road 2300th N.  In fact, these are the only two streets in town.

A nice view of the history of Walnut Grove Township can be found at http://www.macomb.com/~ilmcdono/townships/WalnutGrovetpindex.html .  Both the history of the town of Walnut Grove and the history of Walnut Grove Township are available on this site.  A summary of both is as follows:

Walnut Grove Township was first settled in 1830.  The town of Walnut Grove was “laid out” in 1870.  It was originally created on a railroad line that passed through the area, however this railroad line no longer exists according to www.mapquest.org.  In 1885 there were “two grain elevators, one feed mill, one general store, two blacksmith shops, postoffice, station, a town hall and five dwelling houses” in the town limits. Today a grain elevator, a church, and a few houses remain in the village..

In 1885 there were nine school districts in the Walnut Grove Township.  Unfortunately this is the extent of the information we have available regarding Walnut Grove Township High School.  The only other information is from a document viewed on “e-bay”.  The document was a program for the graduation ceremonies of Walnut Grove Township High School that were set for the spring of 1938.

Our only guess would come from researching similar-sized towns previously placed on the Glory Days website.  We would guess that high school curriculum was offered in a school located in or near Walnut Grove by the early to late 1920s.  It was probably a two or three-year high school. Our guess is that the high school portion of Walnut Grove Township school was closed in the 1940s.  We only know that children of the Walnut Grove area attend Bushnell-Prairie City High School today.

It is possible that Walnut Grove Township High School was located in the country near the village of Walnut Grove or in the village itself, we simply do not know.  If you have ANY information to assist with the research of this page please contact us at eganann@sbcglobal.net.

Walnut Grove Township High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                 1920s?

Year closed:                                  1940s?

Consolidated to:                             Bushnell-Prairie City High School

(possibly Prairie City HS first)

Walnut Grove HS team nickname:    unknown if athletics were offered
Athletics and Extra-Curricular Activities

It is quite possible that the students of Walnut Grove Township High School competed in athletics and other extra-curricular activities.  Basketball, baseball, and track were possibly offered to the boys. Unfortunately there is no mention of the Walnut Grove HS athletic exploits on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org).   We are in need of several “quick facts” bits of information as well. Please write to us if you can add to the history of the Walnut Grove High School activities.

Need Your Assistance

If you have any information regarding the history and achievements of Walnut Grove Township High School please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.   60631

Walnut High School “Blue Raiders”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Walnut High School

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Photo Courtesy of Gerry Halpin

 

Walnut High School

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Home of the Blue Raiders 1923 – 1996

THE HISTORY OF WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL

Walnut is located in the northwestern portion of Illinois in Bureau County on Illinois Route 92 approximately 27 miles west of Interstate 39.   Walnut’s current population is 1,500.

The Walnut school system traces its roots back to 1890 when the high school was officially established. The first graduating class of two students recieved their diplomnas in 1894.  The brick high school building pictured above was built for $90,000 and was first occupied by students in 1923. The high school served the community proudly until 1995 when, for various reasons, the high school was deactiviated.  The high school districts of Walnut, Manlius, Wyanet, and Buda-Western all consolidated to form what is now known as Bureau Valley High School.

BVHS is located near Manlius, however Bureau Valley North Grade School is in operation in Walnut in the old grade school building.  The Walnut High School building was demolished and the land it sat upon was sold for residential lots.  The old football field, filled with the cheers of some GREAT games of the past, is now known as Raider Park and is used for the city’s youth soccer program.

Walnut HS Pressbox 2013 – At Raider Park

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Photo by Owen Pulver

Walnut HS Athletic Field 2013

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Photo by Owen Pulver

To view a GREAT web site on the history of Walnut and its school system please check out   http://www.crunchygods.com/walnut/ .  Excellent information and old photos to enjoy.  Congratulations to Mr. Joel Bass for his efforts to honor Walnut.

Walnut High School “Quick Facts”

Year high school opened:    1890

Year high school closed:     1995

School nickname:               “Blue Raiders” , “Lady Raiders”

School colors:                    Royal Blue and White

High school building status: Demolished – late 1990’s

High school football field:     Utilized for youth soccer program

School Fight Song:             Sung to the Ferris State University fight song tune.

                                         “Cheer on those Raiders, watch them fight.

                                         Boost those Raiders, they’re alright.

                                         We’ll stand by the Blue and White.

                                         FIGHT!  FIGHT!  FIGHT!

                                         Raiders of Walnut High.

                                         Steer that Raider varsity.

                                         Cheer that team to Victory.

                                         Fight you mighty Raiders and

                                         Gain another victory!!

                                         R, R, R-A-I.     D, D, D-E-R-S

                                         R – A – I     D – E – R – S

                                         RAIDERS!!!”

                                         (Special thanks to Clay Haurberg)

To hear the Raider’s fight song tune please click on the following Ferris State University web page:    http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/sports/fight.au

Athletics

The Walnut Blue Raiders competed in the Blackhawk Conference from 1942 to 1977. For more information on the Blackhawk Conference check out John Ballentine’s article on the GREAT CONFERENCES page of this site. They then competed in the Indian Valley Conference from 1977 to 1995.  What defined Walnut more than other schools of its size was the number of sports it offered for its student athletes. Though known for their great success in football over the years, the Walnut High School athletes were consistently competitive in any sport they participated in.

Walnut HS Football Press Box

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Football

The Walnut Blue Raiders were known for their excellent football teams, especially in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. The WHS football teams qualified for the IHSA state playoffs an incredible 10 straight seasons (1979-88), a streak in which they went 98 – 17!. The highlight of Walnut High School sports occurred during the 1982 football season when the Blue Raiders finished second in the IHSA State Football Playoffs for Class 1A.

As pointed out by Clay Haurberg, the Blue Raiders won 14 Blackhawk Conference Championships and 9 Indian Valley Conference Championships!! Below are listed some of the greatest of the Walnut Blue Raider football seasons.

1922       6 – 2                                                                        Coach Julius Steffen

1928       6 – 1 – 2                                                                   Coach J.R. Ingels

1938       6 – 1 – 1                                                                   Coach Noel Mosher

1943                       Blackhawk Conference Champs

1945                       Blackhawk Conference Champs

1946                       Blackhawk Conference Co-Champs

1948                       Blackhawk Conference Champs

1949       6 – 0         Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Steven LaRussa     

1950       7 – 0 – 1    Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Steven LaRussa

1951       7 – 1         Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Steven LaRussa

1952       8 – 0         Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Steven LaRussa

1953       6 – 1 – 1    Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Steven LaRussa

1954       4 – 3         Blackhawk Conf. 3rd Place                     Coach Steven LaRussa

1959       8 – 0         Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Charles Vail

1962       8 – 1         Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Bob Johns

1965       9 – 0         Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Charles Lane

1968       8 – 1         Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Charles Lane

1979       8 – 2         Indian Valley Conference East Champs  Coach Charles Lane

                              IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier

                              Lost to Alexis 28 – 6

1980       8 – 2         Indian Valley Conference East Champs  Coach Kim Courtwright

                              IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier

                              Lost to Freeport Aquin 19 – 6

                              Aquin lost in Final 4 Rd.

1981       9 – 2         Indian Valley Conference East Champs   Coach Kim Courtwright

                              IHSA Class 1A Quarterfinalist

                              Beat Annawan 21 – 13

                              Lost to Freeport Aquin 38 – 0

                              Aquin won State Championship

1982       12 – 1       Indian Valley Conference East Champs    Coach Kim Courtwright 

                              IHSA CLASS 1A RUNNER-UP!!

                              Beat Stockton 24 – 6

                              Beat Durand 16 – 13

                              Beat Kewanee Wethersfield 19 – 14

                                        Lost Championship game

                              7 – 6 to Zeigler-Royalton

                       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOpuX6sq0Xo

1983       11 – 1       Indian Valley Conference East Champs    Coach Kim Courtwright

                              IHSA Class 1A Semi-Finalist

                              Beat Alexis 27 – 3

                              Beat Mt. Carroll 25 – 0

                              Lost to Maroa Forsyth 9 – 6

                              Maroa-Forsyth fiinished 2nd

1984        9 – 2        Indian Valley Conference East Champs    Coach Mick Peterson

                              IHSA Class 1A Quarterfinalist

                              Beat Bradford 21 – 0

                              Lost to Carthage 52 – 19

                              Carthage finished 2nd

1985       11 – 1       Indian Valley Conference East Champs    Coach Mick Peterson 

                              IHSA Class 1A Quarterfinalist

                              Beat Annawan 20 – 6

                              Beat Milledgeville 24-21

                              Lost to Durand 30 – 6

                              Durand Finished 2nd

1986       10 – 2        IHSA Class 1A Quarterfinalist                    Coach Mick Peterson

                              Beat Mooseheart 24 – 17

                              Beat LaMoille 14 – 7

                              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iti6H0NPLB8

                              Lost to Freeport Aquin 24 – 13

                              Aquin Won State Championship

1987       10 – 2       Indian Valley Conference East Champs     Coach Mick Peterson 

                              IHSA Class 1A Quarterfinalist

                              Beat Manlius 7 – 0

                              Beat LaMoille 26 – 0

                              Lost to Freeport Aquin 27 – 8

                              Aquin lost in Final 4 Rd.

1988       10 – 2       Indian Valley Conference East Champs     Coach Mick Peterson

                              IHSA Class 1A Quarterfinalist

                              Beat Rockford Lutheran 34 – 6

                              Beat Marseilles 20 – 8

                              Lost to Orangeville 22 – 14

                              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wxq0-a91gY

                              Orangeville lost in Final 4 Rd.

As part of the Walnut/LaMoille Co-op Team:

1993        6 – 4        IHSA Class 1A Qualifier                               Coach John McKenzie

                              Lost to Cambridge 20 – 14 (O/T)

Blue Raider Football Stats By The Numbers:

-34 – Yardage accumulated by the DePue offense against the strong Blue Raider defense in 1987.

4 – Touchdowns scored on reception by Jay Payne against Manlius in 1985.

20 – Total interceptions by Walnut-LaMoille’s Brett Thompson in his career from 1989-1991, which is good for tenth in Illinois H.S. Football history.

99 – Yards ran by Chuck Woolley after recoving a fumble going all the way for a touchdown against Tampico in 1981, fifth longest in Illinois H.S. Football history.

2,137 – Total passing yardage thrown by the Walnut offense in 1985.

Boys Basketball

1936-37                  IHSA District Champs                               Coach’s name & record needed

                               District Scores Needed

                               Dixon Regional Qualifier

                               1st Rd lost to Amboy 30-16

                               Sterling beat Prophetstown in title game

1937-38                  Princeton Regional Runner-Up                Coach’s name & record needed

                               Early Rd Scores Needed

                               Title Game lost to Princeton 35-30

                               Top 2 Teams of Regional Advance to Sectional

                               Moline Sectional Qualifier

                               1st Rd Lost to Fulton 46-36

                               Fulton lost to Rock Island in title game

1940-41                  Bureau County Tournament third place finishers

                               Defeated Bureau Township H.S. for third place

    

1950-51                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1952-53   17 – 10    Blackhawk Conference Co-Champs

1954-55   14 – 12    Blackhawk Conference Co-Champs        Coach Charles Vail

1958-59   18 – 6      Blackhawk Conference Champs              Coach Charles Vail

1959-60   26 – 3       Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Charles Vail

                                (Best Record in School History)

1961-62   18 – 10     Peru Regional Runner-Up                        Coach Charles Vail

                                1st Rd Beat St. Bede 76-66

                                Semi-final Beat Princeton 56-51

                                Title Game lost to Mendota 94-74

 

1977-78   17 – 8                                                                           Coach Dave McFadden

1981-82   18 – 8                                                                           Coach Dave McFadden

1982-83   18 – 8       Indian Valley Conf. Tourney Champs      Coach Dave McFadden

 

1984-85   14 – 11     Prophetstown Regional Runner-up         Coach Dave McFadden

                                1st Rd Beat Atkinson 51-50 (O/T)

                                Semi-final Beat Erie 65-59

                                Title Game lost to Annawan 55-51

                               

  

1990-91   19 – 7       Indian Valley Conference Runner-Up          Coach Dave McFadden

1991-92   20 – 6       Indian Valley Conf. Tourney Champs      Coach Dave McFadden 

In a March 7, 1957 Regional Tournament game against Mendota, the Blue Raiders scored on 33 straight free-throw attempts and finished 45-for-53 overall in the game. That is a state record! Ronnie Gloden scored 22 of the 45 made.

Girls Track and Field

The Blue Raider girls faired well in track and field during the early 1980s bringing home 6 medals from the IHSA State Track Meet.  Their accomplishments are listed below.

1980  Michele Perino    400 Meter Run                 7th Place

1981  Mitzi Perino         400 Meter Run                 7th Place  

1981  Team Relay         800 Meter Med. Relay      8th Place

1882  Mitzi Perino         400 Meter Run                 8th Place

1982  Team Relay         800 Meter Med. Relay      8th Place

1984  Teri Atwell           200 Meter Run                 4th Place

Girls Basketball

1991-92      N.R.A.       Regional Champs          Coach John DeMay

Girl’s Bowling

1976-77     N.R.A.        District Champs             Coach Marcia (Swanson) Glaser

                                  State Meet Qualifier

1978-79     N.R.A.        District Champs             Coach Marcia (Swanson) Glaser

                                  State Meet Qualifier

Boy’s Golf

1979-80     N.R.A.        District Champs             Coach Roger Schule

Boy’s XC

Although there are no team results available at this time, we know that one athlete made his mark with the team by medaling at the State Meet:

1992-93                       Joel Eckberg                State 25th Place

1993-94                                                             State 17th Place

Boys Baseball

Walnut’s Blackhawk Conference baseball championship teams are listed below from research conducted by John Ballentine.

1958-59    9 – 1       Blackhawk Conference Champs             Coach Lyle Bruss

1966-67                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1967-68                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1968-69                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1969-70                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1970-71                  Blackhawk Conference Co-Champs

1971-72                  Blackhawk Conference Co-Champs

1974-75                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1975-76                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

Boys Track and Field

Conference championship teams of the Walnut HS thinclads are listed below as provided by John Ballentiine:

1950-51                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1951-52                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1952-53                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1955-56                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1958-59                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

1961-62                  Blackhawk Conference Champs

Great Players

Dan Kolb      Major League Baseball Pitcher   MLB American League All-Star – 1994  Milwaukee Brewers

                            Currently pitching for the Atlanta Braves (2004)    

Ron Bohm    National Football League  St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals – 1987

Great Coaches

Steven LaRussa      Football 1949 – 56             41 – 11 – 2

Charles Vail            Football 1958 – 61             28 – 6

Charles Lane          Football 1965 – 79             75 – 45 – 1

Kim Courtwright     Football  1980 – 83            40 – 6

Mick Peterson         Football 1984 – 88             50 – 9

Dave McFadden     Basketball 1970 – 94          292 wins

Extra-curricular Acivities

Walnut had an excellent music program within the school, as it’s program won the Class D championship in the IHSA Music Sweestakes in 1995, their final year of existance.

Distinguished Alumni

*Don Marquis (Class of 1894) – Popular author and columnist. Read more about Marquis at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Marquis

Seeking Further Information

If you have any more information you would like to share regarding the Walnut High School Blue Raiders, please complete a message at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net ..  You may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

Walnut HS Backstop

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On Former Football Field

Walnut HS Football Field – School Sat on Hill

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Pressbox on the Right – Picture Taken Facing West

Walnut High School

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Different Angle

Walnut Grade School

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Currently Bureau Valley North Grade School

 

 

 

 


Waggoner High School “Blue Jays”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
WAGGONER SCHOOL BUILDINGS THROUGH THE YEARS – SUBMITTED BY GAIL KRAUS
Waggoner High School
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1921 – 1948

The History of Waggoner High School

Waggoner (population 245) is located in southwestern Illinois in the upper-western Panhandle of Montgomery County.  Interstate Highway 55 runs just to the east of Waggoner however there are no exit ramps that lead you directly to the town.  Waggoner Avenue is the County Road that is the main drag through Waggoner.  The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad runs north and south through Waggoner and a branch of the Horse Creek flows to the west of town.  Waggoner was also a “Route 66” town in the “Glory Days” before Interstate Highways were constructed.  Springfield is about 35 miles due north of Waggoner.

The history of the town and its school are in need of research.  We did find a photo (above) of the school on the Raymond Lincolnwood High School web site (http://www.panhandle.k12.il.us/CentralOffice/History.htm) .  The web site shows that the Waggoner High School building was in use from 1921 to 1949. The high school was probably established a few (10 – 20) years earlier. It was in 1949 that Waggoner High School was deactivated. Upon their closure the Waggoner kids continued their education at nearby Farmersville High School.

Gail (Leach) Kraus provided the following additional historical information regarding Waggoner High School.

“The Waggoner High School building, now referred to as the Waggoner Centennial Building, is used for many functions including weddings, wedding receptions, family reunions holiday gatherings, funeral dinners, and, of course, the annual theater play. The Pitman township Park District Board is in charge of maintaining this building. The building has been utilized as a high school, grade school, and at one time, hosted the Panhandle School District preschool classes. Preschool classes were moved to the Farmersville School several years ago. The Waggoner school building currently does not host any classes. 

At first, Waggoner and Farmersville consolidated into their own school district. Later Farmersville/Waggoner consolidated with Raymond/Harvel School District to form the Panhandle School District #2. Over the years different classes have been moved around into various buildings within the district.

The playground equipment at the Waggoner Centennial Building was placed in memory of Myron “Penny” Nail who was a resident of Waggoner for many years before passing away in 2004 at the age of 102. His granddaughter, Kate Capshaw, and her husband, Steven Spielberg, donated the playground equipment. 

The Waggoner High School uniform team colors were blue and white to coincide with the sports’ teams mascot, the Blue Jays.”

It is definite that the Wagoner kids now attend school in Raymond.  The students are part of the Panhandle School District which includes Lincolnwood High School in Raymond.  We are assured by Waggoner’s former mayor, Karen Robinett, that the original school building and gymnasium  are still standing.  Today they are used as a community center and for everything from a pre-school to wedding receptions.  A newer gym was built recently for the town’s use and a bike trail was built through Waggoner by the Department of Transportation.  The town has done a great job of preserving their history and is looking forward to continued growth.  Great job Waggoner! .

Waggoner High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                  Late 1800s / early 1900s

Year HS building built:   1921

Year closed:                   1949

Consolidated to:            Farmersville High School

School nickname:         “Blue Jays”

School colors:               Blue & White

School Fight Song:        (Submitted by Gail Kraus)

“SCHOOL SONG”

Waggoner, oh Waggoner,

We love your blue and white.

We will fight for you tonight,

For we know you’re in the right.

Rah! Rah! Rah!

 

Waggoner, oh Waggoner,

All honor to your name,

Fairness and sportsmanship add to your fame.

Ta-Hee, Ta-Haa, Ta-Haa-Haa-Haa.

Waggoner High School,

Rah! Rah! Rah!

Athletics

Waggoner high School definitely offered boys basketball. It is believed that baseball and track & field were also offered at the school.  We are looking for the school team nickname, colors, fight song, coaches, conference affiliation, ect., that will help enlighten us on the athletic history of Waggoner High School. Please e-mail us if you have any of this information.

Boys Basketball

The Waggoner High School boys basketball team brought home one District Title during their short existence.  We are confident there were other very successful teams in Waggoner High School history.  Good records and conference champions are always interesting.  The coach’s name and team record of the District Champions is not available. District Tournament scores involving Waggoner were located on a website titled “Illinois High School Postseason Basketball Scores.” The tournaments in which Waggoner won at least one game are listed below.

—–

1931-32      Gillespie District Tournament                Coach’s name needed.

1st Rd Beat Shipman 21-6

2nd Rd Beat Chesterfield 14-4

Semi-Final lost to Carlinville 33-19.

Carlinville beat Gillespie in title game.

—–

1932-33      Gillespie District Tournament                Coach’s name needed.

1st Rd Beat Medora 28-21

2nd Rd lost to Gillespie 38-20

Gillespie beat Benld in title game.

—–

1935-36      Morrisonville District Tournament        Coach’s name needed.

1st Rd Beat Palmer 39-22

Semi-Final lost to Morrisonville 27-24

Title game Farmersville beat Morrisonville.

—–

1936-37      Farmersville District Tournament          Coach’s name needed.

1st Rd Beat Palmer 45-10

Semi-Final lost to Farmersville 34-24

Title game Farmersville beat Raymond.

—–

1937-38      Farmersville District Champions          Coach’s name needed.

1st Rd Beat Morrisonville 41-22

Semi-Final Beat Farmersville 38-29.

Title Game Beat Harvel 52-17

Gillespie Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Benld 34-24

—–

1941-42     Rosamond District Runner-Up             Coach’s name needed

Montgomery County Tournament (2nd Place)

Championship- Hillsboro 50 Waggoner 36

Rosamond District Title Game

Lost to Witt 40-31

(Early Rd District Scores Needed)

—–

1942-43    Chatham District Tournament                Coach’s name needed.

1st Rd Beat Palmyra 33-24.

Semi-Final lost to Divernon 42-22

Divernon beat Rochester in title game.

—–

1946-47     Divernon District Tournament                Coach’s name needed.

1st Rd Beat Farmersville 53-27

**Semi-Final lost to Riverton 41-30

Riverton beat Divernon in title game.

**Final varsity boys basketball game for Waggoner High School.

_____

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Waggoner High School had its’ own school band for certain, as is shown in the photo of the first band in school history (1940-41) below. Chorus, plays, student government, FFA, GAA, dances, and many other activities were enjoyed by the students of Waggoner High School.

—–

Seeking Your In-Put

Help us document the great facts of the short life of Waggoner High School.  Kids attended there, adults were on the school board, teachers taught there, this was a real school.  We wish to remember and document the accomplishments attained there before there are no longer those around to tell the stories.  You can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631
back row – Norma Long, Estelle Waggoner, Carol Gerlach, Mary Ellen Fite, Ruth Barbee, Bob Waggoner, Porter Sowarsh, Ike Norvell
middle row – Band Instructor Mansel, Bob “Butch” Woodall, Ruby Robinson, Mary Pitchford, Virginia Long, Willie Kendall, Mary Alice Stewart, Carol Arnold, Jerry Wood
front row – Howard Miller, Bob Baker, Bob Barbee, Wilma Jackson, Eloise Ebe, Marjorie Arnold, Mary Baker, Betty Taylor, Betty Lewis, Horace Waggoner (PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GAIL KRAUS)

back row – Roy Sigley, Lemuel Wiegreffe, Coach John K. Price, Neil Browning, Dayton Bowman, Wayne Taylor
front row – Harvey White, Alfred Seelbach, Aubrey Voden, Donald Taylor (SUBMITTED BY GAIL KRAUS)
back row – Howard Weitekamp, Gene Allen, Charlie Mullen, Dick Brachear, Coach Jesse Harkness, Jim Molohon, Don Dickey, Cec Millburg, Larry McCarthy, Joe Roy Waggoner
front row – Joe Vignos, Bernie Miller, Bob Webb, Julius Smith, Glenn Pitchford, Jerry Wood, Russell McGown (SUBMITTED BY GAIL KRAUS)
back row – Hugh Jackson, Charles Hampton, Arch Campbell, Coach Jesse Harkness
kneeling – Dale Woodall, Charles Long, Tom Nimmo (SUBMITTED BY GAIL KRAUS)

Zeigler Christian Academy

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
The History of Zeigler Christian Academy

Zeigler (population 1,669) is located in southern Illinois in southwestern Franklin County.  Illinois State Routes 148 and 149 intersect in the city.  Two railroad lines, the Missouri Pacific and the Illinois Central Gulf, also intersect in town.  The Big Muddy River runs just to the south of Zeigler.  The town was incorporated by Illinois in 1914 making it one of the “newer” towns on this site.

The basis for the town’s establishment was the formation of underground mining in the area.  For location sake DuQuoin is located about 12 miles northwest of Zeigler and West Frankfort is located 6 miles to the east.  A great web site to learn more about Zeigler is found at http://www.zeigleril.com .

We were notified of the existence of Zeigler Christian Academy by our long time contributor to the Glory Days website, Adam Rosoho:  The Academy was sponsored by the Zeigler Apostolic Church.  It was established in the mid-1970s and closed at some point between 1988 and 1990.  Grades K – 12 were offered.  A grade school was re-opened from about 2003 through 2008 when it closed again.

Zeigler Christian Academy Quick Facts

Year opened:       Mid-1970s

Year closed:        Between 1988-90

Athletics not offered
Extra-Curricular Activities Offered

We are certain that Zeigler Christian Academy offered many activities for its students to participate in. School plays, clubs, dances, and many other activities were likely a part of the well-rounded experience. If you can provide some information or insight as to what school life was like at Christian Academy please write to us via the means offered below.

Need Your Assistance

If you have any further information regarding the many successes attained at Zeigler Christian Academy, please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.   You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il.  60631

Zeigler High School “Purple Tornadoes”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Zeigler High School Building
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Zeigler “Block” School House
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Zeigler’s First School Building

The History of Zeigler High School

Zeigler (population 1,669) is located in southern Illinois in southwestern Franklin County.  Illinois State Routes 148 and 149 intersect in the city.  Two railroad lines, the Missouri Pacific and the Illinois Central Gulf, also intersect in town.  The Big Muddy River runs just to the south of Zeigler.  The town was incorporated by Illinois in 1914 making it one of the “newer” towns on this site.  The basis for the town’s establishment was the formation of underground mining in the area.  For location sake DuQuoin is located about 12 miles northwest of Zeigler and West Frankfort is located 6 miles to the east.  A great web site to learn more about Zeigler is found at http://www.zeigleril.com .

The School system in Zeigler is documented at http://www.zeigleril.com/pages/schools.htm.  Zeigler began a school system soon after its first houses were built.  As Zeigler grew and prospered so did the educational facilities.  The first school house was the “Block School” pictured below.  In the 1920s the school pictured above to the right was built.  This served the children until the 1960s when the building was demolished and a new building was erected.  The grade school pictured below was used for the high school for a bout three years until the new building was finished.

The year was 1962 when the towns of Zeigler and Royalton agreed to consolidate

their efforts.  The Zeigler-Royalton School District was established ending the solo efforts of the two towns.  If you would like to add any information regarding Zeigler High School please e-mail us at eganann@sbcglobal.net.

Adam Rosoho provided the following link to an excellent photo video of Zeigler High School which includes a rendition of the school fight song from 1950. Phenomenal!  http://www.photoshow.com/watch/jY9fF9cr

Zeigler High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                      early 1900s

Year closed:                                       1962

Consolidated to:                                  Ziegler-Royalton High School

Year original school demolished:          1963

School nickname:                                the  “Purple Tornadoes”

School colors:                                     Purple & White

School Fight Song:                              Zeigler High Loyalty

(University of Illinois Fight Song Tune)

                                                We’re loyal to you Zeigler High.

                                                We’re purple and white, Zeigler High.

                                                We’ll back you to stand

                                                ‘Gainst the best in the land

                                                For we know you have sand, Zeigler High.

                                                Rah! Rah!

                                                So crack out the ball, Zeigler High.

                                                We’re backing you all, Zeigler High.

                                                Our team is our fame protector:

                                                On! Boys for we expect a

                                                Victory from you Zeigler High!

                                                        

                                                Che-he, cha-ha, cha-ha-ha-ha,

                                                Zeigler High School,

                                                Rah, Rah, RAH!

       

                                                Fling out that dear old flag of

                                                Purple and White,

                                                Lead on your sons and daughters

                                                Fighting for you

                                                Like men of old, on giants.

                                                Placing reliance, shouting defiance

                                                Oskee-wow-wow!!

                                                Amid the broad green plains that nourish our land,

                                                For honest Labor and for Learning we stand.

                                                And unto thee we pledge our heart and our hand,

                                                Dear Alma Mater, Zeigler High!
ATHLETICS

Zeigler High School definately offered basketball, football, and track. If you have information regarding the Zeigler High School athletic program please e-mail it to us.

Zeigler HS Basketball Star Sam Ranich
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Submitted by Adam Rosoho

BOYS BASKETBALL

Only the three seasons of IHSA success are listed on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) regarding Zeigler High School boys basketball.  Those three years however ended in Sweet 16 appearances with one even extending to the Elite 8! This accomplishment is unique also because all three appearances were under three different coaches and within a four year period.  The teams and their great seasons are listed below.

The photo to the right is of Zeigler High School basketball player Sam Ranich of the 1926-27 squad. The caption on the photo states the following:

“Sam Ranich center of Zeigler Community High School – Team 1927. Only known high school player to perform this feat. By Clarks Studio”

1933-34                 (beat Collinsville in 1st Rd. of

Sectional 35 – 17)

1935-36    14 – 7    Sectional Champions              Coach Geoffrey “Red” Moore

                            Sweet 16 Qualifier

                            Lost 40 – 36 to Vandalia

1936-37    15 – 7    Sectional Champions               Coach Claude Neville

                            Sweet 16 Qualifier

                            Lost 28 – 26 to Vandalia

1938-39    18 – 12  Regional / Sectional Champs   Coach Byrl Longman

                            Elite 8 Qualifier

                            Beat Roodhouse 21 – 11

                            Lost to Rockford 47 – 34

Rockford HS Eventual State Champs

Zeigler High School Track Team 1926
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Submitted by Adam Rosoho

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Two Zeigler High School boys brought home medals from the IHSA State Track Meet under the one-class system.

1936-37     Paul Milosevich   120 Yard High Hurdles   5th Place

1951-52     William Buyaki    Long Jump                    4th Place

FOOTBALL

There are four seasons listed under boys football for the Zeigler High School boys. The best two of these seasons are listed below. (Zeigler-Royalton High School won the Class 1A Football Championship in 1982!!)

Ziegler HS Football Field / Cinder Track
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Courtesy of James Horaz

1945  4-4-1  Coal Belt Conference Champs                  Coach Hewdy Tweedy

1947  4-2-2  Coal Belt Conference Champs

1951  6-2     2nd place Coal Belt

1952  6-3     2nd place Coal Belt                                     Coach Frank Bleyer

1953  5-3                                                                       Coach Glen Whittenberg

1955  4-4-1  Coal Belt Conference Co-Champs             Coach Glen Whittenberg

1956  5-3-1                                                                    Coach Glen Whittenberg

1958  7-2     Coal Belt Conference Champions             Coach Fred Imhoff

1959  6-3     2nd place Coal Belt                                     Coach Gordon Butler

**Our good friend Adam Rosoho added this information on some early Purple Tornadoe grid iron teams:

“The following was written by Dr. Allan Patton, a 1957 graduate of Zeigler High School and long time educator:

“Local teams standing head and shoulders above all other area teams include the famous Purple Tornadoe football teams of 1932-1934.  Not only were these teams undefeated for all or part of three season, but they were unscored upon.  Not until late in the 1934 season did an opponent, DuQuoin, cross the Tornadoe goal line.  This dismal event occurred during the most important game of that season.  In a game played at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, the DuQuoin Indians were pitted against the Purple and White crew for the championship of the Central Egyptian Conference.  When the smoke had cleared, the Indians had won the confernce title, handed defeat to a Zeigler team for the first time in nearly three years, and had scored a touchdown against the toughest defense in southern Illinois.  Final score DuQuoin 6, Zeigler 0.”

I am not sure if it was the season before or not, but the closest a team came to scoring against Zeigler was a 35 yard field goal attempt by Pinckneyville.”

BOXING

The Zeigler boys competed in boxing for a short while in the 1950s. The photo below was scanned from a 1954 Ziegler High School yearbook. It was sent to us by Adam Rosoho.  The only information supplied in the year book that accompanied the photo included that decisions that year were won by Jerry Capps and Jim Welch  Further results and information are being sought.

Purple Tornado Boxing Team of 1954
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Submitted by Adam Rosoho

Members of the 1954 boxing team pictured above include:

Row One: Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Holland, Bob Hiller, Harvey Medley

Row Two: Grant Downen, Noel Morgan, Dexter Reiger, Jim Welch, Buddy Johnson, Jerr Capps, Mr. Glen Wittenberg, Coach

               

                

BASEBALL

The Zeigler High School Tornadoes competed in baseball too. Any information including records and coach’s names are welcome. We do know this for sure, that the school produced some great athletes during its existence.

The photo below shows the Zeigler High School baseball team of 1927. It was submitted by Adam Rosoho and has the following caption written on the lower left-hand corner:

Ever-Victorious Baseball Team of Ziegler

Community High School. Winners of Central

Egyptian Conference 1927

 (Clark Photo) 

Zeigler High School Baseball Team of 1927
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Conference Champs – Submitted by Adam Rosoho

The following information was sent to us by Dan O’Brien of the Society of American Baseball Research. It is a fact that Zeigler High School alum Mike Milosevich played professional baseball. Mike spent parts of two seasons in the big leagues playing for the New York Yankees! Read the article below regarding Mike’s passing away which was written in the national sports magazine, The Sporting News:

The Sporting News

February 19, 1966

Michael Milosevich, infielder with the Yankees in 1944 and ’45, died at East Chicago, Ind., February 3.  He was 50 years old.

A high school star at Zeigler, Ill., Milosevich was working in a steel mill and playing semi-pro ball at Steubenville, O., when he decided to take a crack at O.B. in 1935.

“Certainly, it was an easier way to make a living than being a steel puddler,” he once said. “So I went over to Washington, Pa., where the Yankess had a farm in the Pennsylvania State League, and asked Bennie Bengough to give me a chance.  He did an I became his shortstop.”

Milosevich followed Bengough to Joplin (Western Association), where he played the next two seasons. After four years at Binghamton (Eastern) and two at Kansas City (American Association), he finally was brought up to the Yankees. He appeared in 94 games in 1944 and 30 games in ’45, batting .247 and .217.

Sent back to the minors, he ended his career in 1951 after serving as player-manager of Baxley (Georgia State) and Americus (Georgia-Florida).”

More information on Mike Milosevich was found in the Southern Illinoisan Newspaper on February 9, 1966:

The Southern Illinoisan

February 9, 1966

Southern Illinoisan Sports Talk

…By Merle Jones

How Many Big Leaguers Has This Area Produced?

The recent death of Mike Milosevich of Zeigler has stirred up memories of former major league baseball players from Southern Illinois? How many can you name?

Milosevich was the Yankee shortstop in 1944 and 1945.  He was a good enough player to be voted the most valuable player in the American Associated with the Yankee farm at Kansas City several times. He played in the minors about 10 years because the Yankees used to have a farm system comparable to the Cardinals and kept a lot of good men “down on the farm.”

**Mike Milosevich did not forget his roots. He is buried in the Zeigler Cemetery north of town. Special gratitude goes out to Peg Carpenter, Library Director of the Zeigler Public Library for her research in locating these articles.

MEMORIES

This bit of information came from a local fan of high school sports and of this site, Hank Maze. Hank relayed this information to us regarding Zeigler High School:

“This town (Zeigler) had some great athletics in the late 30’s and early 40’s.  Many of them played at SIU, two or three on the NAIA National Champion SINU basketball team. Two Milosevich brothers and Shaeffer played on this team and Bill O’Brien, same time frame in Ziegler, who played football at SINU before and after the war later coached at SINU and became a long time referee in the National Football League. Coach Glen Whittenberg (a Carbondale native) and coach of the 53-57 football teams at Ziegler, later coached basketball at Proviso East High School, winning a state championship in the early 1960’s.”

*Gordon Butler – another great Zeigler athlete. After playing high school sports (football, basketball, and track (no Zeigler high school baseball, at least at that time), he signed a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and played three years, 1954, 1955, and 1956 in their farm club: two years at Dothan, Alabama, and one year at Winnipeg, Canada, before dropping out to finish his college education as he had received his draft notice for the fall of 1957.

IF YOU HAVE FURTHER INFORMATION TO SHARE

If you have ANY information you can share about Zeigler High School please send us an e-mail. There were probably many other great teams and other accomplishments made at the school. We are especially interested in photos.  You can e-mail these items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.   60631

Zeigler Grade School
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Zeigler, Illinois
 


Youngstown High School

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Youngstown School Building
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  Courtesy of Carol Parrish, Warren County Historical Society / Submitted by John Bybee
                                                        Youngstown School Grounds 2012
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 Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

The History of Youngstown High School

Youngstown (population 50?) is located in western Illinois in the south-central portion of Warren County. Youngstown is situated on County Road 20th Avenue about 3 miles east of U.S. Route 67. County Road 90th Street also leads you to and from Youngstown. Youngstown is about two blocks from north to south and one block from east to west. The town sits about 11 miles north and a little east of Macomb. (www.mapquest.com).

According to the book titled “The Past and Present of Warren County“, as found on-line by John Bybee (http://www.archive.org/stream/pastpresentofwar00chic#page/176/mode/2up) the village of Youngstown was platted in 1872 on a farm owned by the Kidder family. In 1877 there were “one or two stores” in town and “one or two other stores” erected prior to 1877. A railroad was built that traveled through town however, because of Youngtown’s close proximity to Swan Creek (2 miles to the west), the railroad company did not want to make a stop in Youngstown. The town’s people protested and eventually received a depot for the railroad.

The school at Youngstown was said to be established for several years prior to 1877. At that time plans were being made to have the school building expanded due to the large number of students attending. Today all that remains of the school is the grounds that the bulidng once occupied along with the cinder block shed and old pump water well you see in the photo above to the right.

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For several years the school district in Youngstown offered a two-year course of high school study. This information was uncovered by our good friend Roberta Van Briesen.  Roberta wrote the following to us:

“I have located information regarding a closed high school, it was in the Tales From Two Rivers book, which was a project from Western Il Univ.  They did several books and book V has an article in it by my dad, it was a senior citizen project.  There is story in there about Possum Hollow.  The man who is referred to in the article attended school in Youngstown, Il.  It was a 2 year high school, in the second floor of the school, and he mentions they had a “compact gym.”  This is a coal mining area in western Illinois,”

This is currently the extent of the information we have regarding Youngwtown High School.  The photo above was obtained by another Glory Days fan, John Bybee. John was able to retrieve the photo of the Youngwtown School building from Carol Parrish of the Warren County Historical Society.

Youngstown High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                         1920s?

Year closed:                           late 1940s?

Consolidated to:                     Monmouth-Roseville School District

Y-town HS Team Nickname:  unknown if sports offered  
Athletics and Extra-Curricular Activities

Like many of the smaller schools on this site, we are strapped for information regarding the school and the many activities that were probably offered.  We believe that the Youngstown boys competed in basketball.  We are curious as to whether other sports were offered as well.  If so, school team nickname, colors, fight song, coach’s names, and team records are all items we would like to post on this page.

We are also confident that many other extra-curricular activities were offered to the students of Youngstown High.  Band, chorus, cheerleading, GAA, FFA, dances, plays, and many other activities may have been a part of the YHS experience.  If you wish to share your memories or knowledge of these activities, please contact us via the means below.

Seeking Your Assistance

Youngstown High School should be remembered, and its accomplishments recorded, for all to see and read.  We are hopeful for some in-put from a Youngstown High School alum or resident of the area.  Items can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.    60631

Former Principal at Youngstown High School
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Submitted by John Bybee
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Submitted by John Bybee

  
 


Yates City High School “Eagles”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Yates City High School Complex
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The “Original” Yates City High School
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1928 – 1987 Home of the Eagles

The History of the Yates City High School “Eagles”

Yates City, (population 725), is located in eastern Knox County on Il. Rt. 8, one mile west of Il. Rt. 78.  The Burlington Northern – Santa Fe Railroad runs through this town which, if you are unfamiliar with the area, is located about 25 miles southeast of Galesburg and 25 miles west of Peoria.

In 1859 District 9 was established by the trustees of Salem Township. The first school was in an old hall,one block south of town, and later, in a house which still stands in Yates City. By 1865 it was voted to levy a new tax to build a school house. The present site of the school was chosen, and a one-room frame building valued at $600 was built. The original portion of the current school building and gym was built in 1928.  Additions were made to the building in 1938.  A new gym and a new grade school were built in the town in late 1950s. (Thank you to Daniel Kelly for much of this information)

The residents of Yates City were proud of their school and, in spite of their small numbers, insured the school would serve its children for nearly 60 years.  The school survived several consolidation efforts over the years with its neighbor located 2 miles to the east, Elmwood.  However these efforts were never realized.  Consolidation talks eventually turned to the Farmington school system located 6 miles south of Yates CIty.  This effort for the high school students became a reality in 1987 when Yates City High School was deactivated.

The school building continued to serve the community offering education to the children in grades K – 8. This situation also came to end in 2004 when a new school building was built in Farmington and the school in Yates City was closed, sadly, but probably, forever.  The building still stands in Yates City however its current use is not known.

Yates City High School Quick Facts

Year 1st school established:          1856

Year HS opened:                           unavailable

Year current school building built:   1928

Year High School deactivated:        1987

Year all school functions ceased:    2004

School nickname:                          the “Eagles”

School colors:                               Purple and White

School Fight Song:                        “We Will Sing for Dear Yates City”

                                                                       Thank you to Kay Maxey Clark for providing the

                                                                       words to this song

                                                                    

                                                     We will sing for dear Yates City,

                                                     Raise our voices up on high.

                                                     We will shout Her praises ever,

                                                     Fling her banners to the sky,

 

                                                     Rah, Rah!!

 

                                                     True and loyal ever standing,

                                                     We will back Her to the end.

                                                     We will sing for dear Yates City,

                                                     To Her loyal tribute’s end.

 

                                                     Yeah Purple!

                                                     Yeah White!

                                                     Yeah Yates!

                                                     Fight! Fight! Fight!!!!

Yates City High School – January, 2006
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Yates City HS Gymnasium
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Athletics

Yates CIty High School competed in the Inter-County Athletic Conference (ICAC) from approximately 1952 until its closing in 1987.  Original members of the conference included Brimfield, Williamsfield, LaFayette (who closed in 1970 and is on this site), and Glasford (Illini Bluffs).  Yates City’s arch-rival Elmwood competed in the ICAC beginning in 1968.  Toulon (a school also on this site) was an ICAC member from 1968 – 1976.  Yates City HS offered boy’s basketball, girl’s basketball, girl’s volleyball, as well as track and cross-country for both boys and girls.  It is possible Yates City at one time offered baseball and football however that information is not available at the writing of this page.

Boys Basketball

The earliest Yates City Basketball team has been dated back to 1914, defeating Kewanee in a game by the score of 33-25. The Yates City Eagles did win one District title during their existence.  IHSA hardware is only one way to measure a school’s successes.  It is believed YCHS had many great seasons competing in all sports.  If you have further information regarding some of the more successful Yates City High School Eagle teams please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form.

Some new information that has come to us says that Yates City High School actually won the Knox County Tournament in the 1960s.  Some of their great players of that era included Kenny Burgess and Everett Bantz.  Members of one of Yates City HS’s early teams (1912-13) included Floyd Mathews, Kenton Ware, Grant Kerr, Fred Maxwell, Clifton Adams and Ray Bowman.   

We did locate some scors involving the Yates City High School boys in the IHSA State Tourney early rounds. The scores were found on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are listed below.

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

1st & 2nd Rd Scores Needed

Semi-final lost to Peoria Central 38-18

Peoria Central beat Farmington in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Peoria Central 78-11

Peoria Central beat Glasford in title game

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

  1st Rd Beat Brimfield 25-11

                                    Semi-final lost to Toulon 42-25

Toulon beat Bradford in title game

1936-37                       Elmwood Regional Tournament                  Coach’s name & record needed

(District Tourney not played this year)

1st Rd lost to Peoria Manual 35-26

Manual beat Dunlap in title game

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

1938-39                       Elmwood Regional Tournament                  Coach’s name & record needed

(District Tourney Scores Not Available –

Top two from District advance to Regional)

1st Rd of Regional lost to Brimfield 44-27

Brimfield lost to Galesburg in semi-final

Galesburg beat Abingdon in title game

1939-40 through 1948-49  Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

1949-50                       Brimfield District Tournament                     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd score needed

Semi-final lost to Brimfield 87-29

Brimfield beat Prairie City in title game

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

(Yates City did not compete in District)

1st Rd of Regional lost to Elmwood 47-33

Elmwood lost to Lewistown in semi-final

Lewistown lost to Canton in final.

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

1st Rd lost to 51-35

Elmwood beat Williamsfield in title game

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

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

1954-55  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed

1955-56  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed

1956-57                       IHSA District Champions                          Coach’s name & record needed

District Scores Needed

                                    Canton Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Lewistown 64-48

Lewistown lost to Farmington in title game

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

1958-59                       Wiliamsfield District Tournament                 Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd score needed

Semi-final lost to Brimfield 58-53

Brimfield lost to Lafayette in title game

1959-60                       Wiliamsfield District Tournament                 Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd score needed

Semi-final lost to Brimfield 59-55

Brimfield beat Williamsfield in title game

1960-61  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1st Rd score needed

Semi-final lost to Williamsfield 57-30

Williamsfield beat Spoon River Valley for title

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

1st Rd score needed

Semi-final lost to Soon River Valley 64-48

Valley lost to Brimfield in title game

1963-64  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

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

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

1967-68                       Brimfield District Tournament                      Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Brimfield 62-56

Semi-final lost to Valley or Williamsfield

Valley beat Williamsfield for title

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

1st Rd score needed

Semi-final lost to Williamsfield 71-63

Williamsfield lost to Brimfield in title game

1969-70                       Williamsfield District Runner-Up!             Coach’s name & record needed

  1st Rd score needed

                                    Semi-final Beat Williamsfield 41-40

                                    Title game lost to Valley 80-61

1970-71                       Brimfield District Tournament                      Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd score needed

Semi-final lost to Valley 63-59

Valley beat Williamsfield in title game

1971-72                       Farmington Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney      Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Brimfield 70-69

Brimfield lost to Farmington in semi-final

Farmington beat Elmwood in title game

1972-73 through 1986-87  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

*High School closed in the summer of 1987.

Girls Volleyball

The Lady Eagles enjoyed limited success in volleyball according to the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org).  Coach Sue Phillips guided the team from 1976 – 1980 (5 – 32) and Coach Rhonda Rock lead the team from 1980 – 1987 (20 – 77).  The great thing about the seasonal records was that the only year listed in which the team had a winning record was the 1986-87 season, their last, when they recorded a 7 – 6 finish.  This shows the school spirit of Yates City High School was going strong, especially at the end.

Boys Football

We have been assured there was football at one time at Yates City High School.  At least in the 1940s for sure.  When football began and when it ended are in need of research.  Also the recoreds of some of the more successful teams are being sought.

Theatre

The Illinois Theatre Festival is the largest, non-competetive high school theatre festival in the world. It was organized in 1976 by teachers from the Chicago suburbs. This festival is still going strong as they perform at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and Illinois State University every other January. Yates City High School participated in this festival in 1977.

Yates City HS Inscription
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Yates City High School Pride Lives On!

According to alumnus Claudia Staggs Emden (Class of 1969) the Yates City Eagle pride is going strong even today.  In Claudia’s words:

“Annual alumni banquets have been held for years and continue to be held

for the ever diminishing number of YCHS graduates. The last banquet

held at the school was held in 2004, my 35th class reunion. In 2005, the

banquet was held at the Yates City Community Center on Main Street. The

banquet is always held on Memorial Day weekend.”

C’mon Eagle fans, help us fill in the gaps. Fight Song words and fight song tune, as well as names of the coaches and great teams are still in demand.

Memories

From Joyce Turlip:

“I am a proud alumna of YCHS, I graduated in 1950.  We had a great boys basketball team but I never recall a football team. I loved our old school and really hated to see them close it.  Thanks for the memories and the pictures of the school are great.  We didn’t have a yearbook when I attended YCHS but as I understand it they did have in the following years.”

From Joan Blaser:

“YC High School was a great school. The teachers were terrific – I went from a class of 25 to the University of Illinois and did well there with classes of more than 100. That speaks well of the school. It was a small school – you knew everyone in the entire High School. We did have a good basketball team – I think almost every year. Everyone who wanted to play got to play. We had a good band, terrific chorus, class plays, Speech, band and music contest, and more. I was active in everything they offered. We had 4 years of English, Home Ec, and Ag. I liked Math and had 4 years of that also: Algebra, Geometry, Solid Geometry, and another math class. I was not good in sports so did little of that. Our classes made money so we could take senior trips. Ours was to Washington DC – we went by school bus and had many good adventures on the trip: Mammoth Cave, sites in Washington, Jefferson’s home, Washington’s home, Gettysburg (I think – or else Darrel and I did that one). It was a good time for our class to learn cooperation and how to get along together for a longer period of time. When there are class reunions in the spring, our class has a good attendance every five years when that class is being honored – the next one will be 60 years – doesn’t that sound old? Well we are, I was 74 this year. I can remember taking my mother to her 50th class reunion and my 25th class reunion. I thought the other man (that was there from her class) looked so very old – I thought my mother never looked old. Now I am there and I don’t feel that old (most of the time, lol).  I love to reminisce about those days.”

Seeking More Information

We are seeking more information from a Yates City enthusiast.  If you can provide us with ANY information regarding Yates City and its High School “Eagles” please complete one of the forms listed above.  We are especially interested in a photo of the school building or of the more successful teams.  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
 


Yale High School

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Yale High School Students – 1940-41 School Year
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Submitted by Peggy Fear Michaels
Yale HS 1940-41 Yearbook Cover
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Submitted by Peggy Fear Michaels

The History of Yale High School

Yale (population 97) is located in southeastern Illinois in northeastern Jasper County.  The village is located about 25 miles east of Effingham and 50 miles south of Urbana.  Illinois Route 49 is the main roadway to and from Yale.  County Highway 6 intersects with Route 49 in Yale.  Yale is about three blocks from north to south and five blocks from east to west.

We currently have a very limited amount of information on Yale High School.  Our understanding is that Yale was like its neighbor from the east, Annapolis, in that it was probably a two-year high school. We are guessing that Yale stopped offering high school curriculum in the late 1940s.  It was likely that the grade school closed sometime after that.

Richard Phillips tells us the kids of Yale today attend high school in Newton, as do all kids of Jasper County.

Yale High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                        late 1800s

Year closed:                         1940s?

Consolidated to:                    unavailable

Athletics

It is remembered by Claude Piersall that the kids from Annapolis played the kids from Yale each year in a softball game or two.  It is also possible that Yale kids competed in basketball, however we are unable to confirm this.

Below are pages from the 1940 and 1941 school yearbooks of Yale. They show that indeed, softball was a sport at the school.

Yale HS Softball 1939-40
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Submitted by Peggy Fear Michaels (left click on photo for larger view)
Yale HS Softball 1941
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Submitted by Peggy Fear Michaels (left click on photo for larger view)

Extra-Curricular Activities

We are sure there were several other activities offered to the Yale High School and Grade School children.  Below is a page taken from the Yale High School yearbook of 1940 listing the plays the students performed that year.  Thank you to Peggy Michaels for this submission!

Yale HS Activities 1940
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Submitted by Peggy Michaels
If You Have ANY Information To Add

Please send any further information regarding Yale High School to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  Items, such as a photo of the Yale HS building, can be e-mailed to us as well.  You can also use the USPS and mail items to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631 

Yale HS Superintendent 1940
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Submitted by Peggy Fear Michaels (left click on photo for larger view)
Yale HS Class of 1940
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Submitted by Peggy Fear Michaels (left click on photo for larger view)
Yale HS Radio CLub 1940
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Submitted by Peggy Fear Michaels