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Carbondale Crispus Attucks High School Building

                         The History of Carbondale Crispus Attucks High School

Carbondale (population 30,069) was founded in 1852 by Daniel Harmon Brush, John Asgill Conner, and Dr. William Richert after the trio had bought 360 acres of land along the Illinois Central RR, with the purpose of founding a new town between Marion and Murphysboro, and to be a midpoint on the railroad between Makanda and DeSoto. That move turned out to be a stroke of genius as it linked the southern part of Illinois to the rest of the country, acting as a mercantile and transport center, and for shipping the fruit and coal that was produced in Southern Illinois. The town incorporated itself by the time that the Civil War broke out and became the home of Carbondale College, which later became Southern Illinois College, Southern Illinois Normal University, which today is known as Southern Illinois University.

The University’s growth brought more people to town, and with it, educational institutions such as Attucks High School, which is named after Crispus Attucks, the runaway slave who died in 1750 while protesting against the British in colonial America. African-American schools in Carbondale have been part of the community since 1857 when the first schools was built, one of which was later added on to in 1874. In compliance with the Illinois Common School Law of 1855, that building was used for the growing number of African-American children.

Attucks opened in 1920 with five students, housed at Attucks Elementary School. By 1933, the enrollment grew to 100 students that elementary students were moved to portable classrooms and nearby churches. Attucks High School would move into a new building by 1948, and stay there until the school’s enrollment was integrated into Carbondale Community High School in the fall of 1964. The status of the 1948 building is unknown after being used for vocational training classes over several years, while the Attucks Grade School building was torn down in 1975.

FACTS ABOUT CARBONDALE CRISPUS ATTUCKS HIGH SCHOOL

Year opened:                            1920 (5 students)

Year new building opened:    1948

Year closed:                              1964

School nickname:                    “Bluebirds”

School colors:                            Blue & White

Yearbook name:                       “The Attuckian” or “The Nest”

School song:                             “Attucks!” (see words below, provded by Carlotta Algee-Stancil)

Attucks! We love old Attucks.

We love her grounds and her building, too;

All here are fine and steady

And her teachers all are ever brave and true.

Rah! Rah! Rah!

Her sun is always shining,

Her skies are always blue.

Attucks! We love old Attucks.

And pledge our Loyalty to you.

Attucks! Of thee dear Attucks.

We raise out voices in lofty praise,

Long may you live and prosper,

And your students will you flag of honor raise.

Rah! Rah! Rah!

Attucks, Beloved Attucks,

Arrayed in honor you’re brave and true

Attucks! We love old Attucks.

And we hope to ever love you too.

ATHLETICS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

According to the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), the Bluebirds competed in boys’ basketball and track, although it is possible they could have competed in baseball as well. There is no record of trophies or plaques won by Attucks in baseball or any other extracurricular activity at the state tournament level, so we are in need of more information about other sports and activities offered at Attucks High School.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

In the 15 years that the Bluebirds were involved in the IHSA state tournament (since the 1948-49 school year), Attucks won 12 district titles (seven of them consecutively) and two regionals before closing its doors. Prior to that, the school finished in the top five of the Negro National Basketball Tournament on five occasions.

The school was a member of the Southern Illinois Conference of Colored High Schools (SICCHS), playing with Murphysboro Douglass, Herrin Colp, DuQuoin Lincoln, Dewmaine, and Dubois in one division. The Bluebirds won nine titles between 1928 and 1944! For more information about the conference, see “THE GREAT CONFERENCES” page on this site. Information about the win-loss records and names of head coaches from those district and regional winners are needed.

1926-27      SICCHS Tourney Runners-Up

1927-28      SICCHS Tourney Champs             Coach Coach J. Q. Clark

Attucks’ 1927-28 Champions

Photo from the Chicago Defender Newspaper (Submitted by Robert Pruter)

1930-31      SICCHS Tourney Runners-Up       Coach Coach J. Q. Clark

1932-33      SICCHS Tourney Champs

1933-34      SICCHS Tourney Champs

1934-35      SICCHS Tourney Champs

1935-36      3rd Place at Negro National Tournament in Roanoke, VA

1936-37      5th Place at Negro National Tournament in Gary, IN

                       SICCHS Tourney Champs

1938-39      5th Place at Negro National Tournament in Tuskegee, AL

                       SICCHS Tourney Champs

1940-41     SICCHS Tourney Champs

1941-42     SICCHS Tourney Champs

1942-43     SICCHS Tourney Champs

1948-49     District Champions

1949-50     District Champions

1951-52     District Champions

                      Regional Champions

                       (top 64 in the state)

1952-53     District Champions

1953-54     District Champions

1954-55     District Champions

1955-56     District Champions

1956-57     District Champions

1957-58     District Champions

1959-60     District Champions

                       Regional Champions

1962-63     District Champions

1963-64     District Champions

BOYS’ TRACK

The Bluebird tracksters had their share of successes on the cinder surfaces, winning five district titles during the 1930’s and 1940’s as well as taking team titles in the SICCHS on five occasions. Again, we are in need of names of coaches and top performers.

1927     SICCHS Champions

1928     SICCHS Champions          Coach Coach J. Q. Clark

1929     SICCHS Champions          Coach Coach J. Q. Clark

1933     SICCHS Champions

1934     District Champions

1935     District Champions

               SICCHS Champions

1937     SICCHS Co-Champions

1939     District Champions

1944     District Champions

1945     District Champions

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ATTUCK GRADUATES

Of the 633 graduates of Attucks High School, 42 percent of them went on to college with 40 percent of that number graduating with degrees. Nine of them became administrators, and 44 more were teachers.

SPECIAL ATHLETES AND ALUMNI

*John Arthur Algee, Sr. (Class of 1938)

(February 10, 1922 – October 27, 2002)

Mr. Algee was a three-sport standout at Carbondale Crispus Attucks High School, lettering in football, basketball, and track. After graduating from Crispus Attucks High School in 1938, Mr. Algee attended the following schools of higher learning and attained this extensive education:

College:

Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio – 1938-1939

Bachelor of Science Degree – S.I.U. Carbondale, Illinois – 1947

Master of Science Degree – University of Illinois – Champaign, Illinois – 1957

Additional graduate studies:

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois

McAllister College, Kansas

University of Missouri – Columbia, Columbia, Missouri;

University of Missouri – St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri

Mr. Algee would go on to coach at the high school level, leading the charge as head basketball coach at Madison Dunbar High School from 1947-1952. Coach Algee’s team won the ILL.-MO Conference title in 1952!

SPECIAL THANKS…

To Brad Pace, whose article about the “Spirit of Attucks Schools” in December 1998 helped shape this page about Attucks. You can read more about Attucks by clicking on the following link: http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/1998/ihy981209/html

THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM YOU…

If you know something that we don’t already have about Attucks HS, such as win-loss records, coaches’ names, pictures of the school and its teams, or even the words to the fight song, then we want to hear from you.

Capron Boone-McHenry Township High School

Courtesy of http://www.eteamz.com

The History of Capron High School

Capron, Illinois (population 961) is located in northeastern Boone County in far northeastern Illinois. The town is located about 15 miles northeast of Rockford.   Illinois Route 173 is the main roadway leading to and from Capron. County Highway 2 also passes through town.

Pictured above and below is the former Capron Boone-McHenry Township High School building. The history of the town and its former high school are in need of research. Capron Boone-McHenry Township High School was established in 1917. It served the children of Capron and the surrounding rural areas for 32 years. The high school teams were nicknamed the Vikings in honor of the area’s close Scandinavian ties. In the late 1940’s, consolidation talks began between Capron and its neighbor to the northeast, Poplar Grove. In 1949, the North Boone School District was established, ending the run for the solo high schools of each town.

North Boone High School now has a Poplar Grove address. The former Capron High School building has since been razed.

Capron High School “Quick Facts”:

Year opened:                                1917

Year of consolidation:                   1949

Building Status:                             Has been razed

School Colors:                               Green & White

School Mascot:                              the “Vikings”

School Song:                                 Unknown

Credit: Lake County Discovery Museum/Curt Teich Postcard Archives.

Campbell Hill Community High School Building

Submitted by Stephanie (Ehlers) Thornton

CHCHS Gym & Home Ec Buildings

Submitted by Stephanie Ehlers Thornton

The History of Campbell Hill High School

Campbell Hill (population 333) is located in far southwestern illinois in the northwestern portion of Jackson County.  Illinois Route 4 is the main roadway traveling to and from Campbell Hill.  The town currently sits about 15 miles northwest of Murphysboro.  The Brushy Fork of the Pipestone Creek flows through the southeast side of town.

The history of the town of Cambell Hill and the high school that served its children was provided to us by Stephanie Ehlers Thornton, as transcribed from the book “Do You Remember Campbell Hill” written by Genevieve Dudenbostel Ruebke.

“Public School

As is to be expected, schools of some sort were here from the very beginning.  It is most probably that the “country schools” were established before the one in town.  Some of those in the nearby countryside were Barrow, Buckskull (Mount Ridge), Tangen, Union, Loy, Webb, Zion and Jones.  These were in existence for many years, even after the establishment of the public school in town.  The first in Campbell Hill was held in a small frame building on the present site of St. Luke’s Church.  The brick building erected in 1888 on Dean Street at the east edge of the village at a cost of $1,000.00 was destroyed by fire of undetermined origin on the night of February 16, 1894.  The joyful prospect of  “Goody – no more school” for the youngsters was short lived however, as about 40 children were sent to Barrow just west of town, where John Tatum was teaching, and others no doubt going to some of the other neighboring schools.

This fire was quite a blow to the new town, but no time was wasted in building a two story brick which served the community for many years.  (In fact it was still in use in 1951 when the tornado damaged it to the extent that it was torn down and replaced with the present structure).*   The building was probably completed within the year for in July 1896 the school board agreed to have the upper floor partitioned off into two rooms in order to accommodate the increase in students.  The contract for this job was let to Elyle E. Luthy for $60.00.  The High School used this entire floor, with the lower grades meeting downstairs.

The following I have copied from the ten page Catalogue of the Campbell Hill Public Schools 1898-1899 which contains Rules, Regulations and Course of Study, etc.:

“Members of the Board of Directors: Dr. Albert R. Carter, President; William Mohlenbrock, Clerk and Henry C. Tangen.  Teachers for 1897-1898: E. J. Klemme, Principal; Nora Smith, Grammar Department; Nelly G. Striger, Intermediate Department; Ella Crews, Primary Department.

Tuition – Non-resident pupils shall pay in advance the following Rates of Tuition:  Intermediate Department per month $1.00; Primary Department $1.00; Grammar Department $1.50; High School Department $2.00.

To The Public

To those pupils of other districts who are desirous of entering a school where better educational advantages are offered, we call special attention to the High School Department of our school.  The principal, Prof. E. J. Klemme, is one of the foremost teachers in the country, and with an efficient corps of teachers, we bespeak for the coming session a splendid term of school work.

Board can be had at reasonable rates in the best families in town. For further particluars address the Clerk of Board, Wm. Mlohlenbrock, or the Principal, Prof. E. J. Klemme.  School opens September 13, 1897, and continues seven months.

Text Books Used:                   Board of Directors:

American Classics                   Selected

Arithmetic                               White

Algebra                                   Brown

Botany                                    Hall

Bookkeeping                           Bryant and Stratton

Business Customs                  Goodyear

Civil Government                      Trowbridge

Composition                            Practical Works

English Classics                      Selected

Geography                              Butler

Grammar                                Harvey

General History                       Barnes

History(United States)              Eggelston

Natural Philosophy                  Steele

Physiology                              Kellog

Physical Geography                 Eclectic

Readers                                  Harper

Rhetoric                                  Lochwood

Speller                                    Harrington

Vocal Music                            Practice

Writing                                    Practice

Zoology                                   Steele

In many of these subjects the pupil can follow any textbook desired as the work is done by outlines and topics.

Outline of Course of Study

A desire for closer organization and more systematic work in our system of schools seems quite common.  This Course of Study has been arranged to meet this demand, to allow the teachers to follow the same plan of work, and to give the pupils permanent advancement.  In the presentation of these subjects the teacher can use any method which furnishes good results.  The course states only what should be taught, to the individuality of the teacher is left the how to teach the subject.  The only requirement is that he do the work well.  It is not the purpose of this outline to either retard the progress of the industrious pupil or hurry with undue advancement the pupil of moderate ability, the that each shall make material progress toward the end of better and higher education.

A drill in drawing and vocal music should be given when possible, but writing should never be omitted.  If it is possible to do so the teacher may give the lesson in drawing, writing, spelling, vocal music, and primary science to all the pupils of his department at the same time.  Subjects for composition work can be assigned as often as the grade demands.  The school year is divided into two terms, the fall, and the winter.  The fall term closing before, and the winter term beginning after, the Christmas vacation.

I do not know when competitive sports were first introduced in our school, but basketball was played through most of the twenties.  Ralph Turner, who taught and coached here at least from 1925 through 1927, was responsible for creating a number one team.  In 1928 a team consisting of Raymond Heine, Leslie White, Larry White, Harold Roberts, Junior (Leslie) Koonce, Woodrow Koonce, Paul Buescher, Arthur Schatte and Wilbur Brandhorst and coached by Jim White won nineteen and lost none of their conference games.  They played in the District Tournament held in Carbondale, Illinois on March 8, 9, and 10 beating Gorham 33-14 then Alto Pass 31-9 and Murphysboro 19-11 but lost to Carbondale 32-11.  Leslie White, who was just one of the star players, was unable to play in the last game because of the flu, which was also affecting some of the other boys, who were all of the opinion that had they had their health, they could have beaten Carbondale and gone on to the State Finals.  The team, under the coaching of Jim White, played just as they had been taught by Mr. Turner, who after leaving us made quite a name for himself as a coach in other schools.

Some of the towns that Campbell Hill “Red Birds” played at that time were:  Elkville, Cambria, Dongola, Ava, Willisville, Percy, Steeleville, Chester, Baldwin and Coulterville.  At Percy the home games were scheduled to be played in October or when the weather was warmer because they had to play out of doors.  At Steeleville the games were played in a tent that had been put over a couple of dance floors, and those played in Campbell Hill were upstairs in the Knauer building on Main Street.  Many times the team had to walk to nearby towns.  The trains were used as transportation and when cars became a little more available they were utilized.  When attending the District Tournaments the team stayed in a hotel.  (Remember there were  no school buses in those days.)

The school was the center of entertainment for the community with, in addition to athletics, plays, box suppers there were all sorts of interesting activities which were attended by capacity crowds.  Even the graduation exercises were well attended, in spite of the fact that the graduates sometimes numbered from two to six or eight.  In 1934 one half of the class was unable to attend the exercises because of the mumps, but the usual speakers etc. were there for the other half which consisted of just my sister, Kathleen.  Charles Bierman was the half unable to be there.  Before the gymnasium was built all of the school activities were held in the town hall, which before the tornado was well equipped with a large stage, etc.”

From “Do You Remember Campbell Hill” by Genevieve Dudenbostel Ruebke 1978 pages 95-97, 106-107.

*That building has since been torn down and replaced with a new community center since all classes were moved to the Trico School Buildings in the late 1970s.  Even though the building is gone, the curtain, which is covered with advertisements, from the stage of the original school building still hangs in the new community center.”

We are certain that Campbell Hill had a high school in place by the late 1800s.  We know that Campbell Hill High School served the community through the late 1940s.  At that time Cambell Hill residents joined in a consolidation effort with Ava, Percy, WIlisville, Cutler, and Jacob school districts. This effort led to the creation of the Trico School District in 1948.

A new school complex was built near Campbell Hill.  The fate of the original Campbell Hill High School building was one decided by “Mother Nature”.  As Stephanie Thornton tells us:

“The original Campbell Hill High School building was damaged in the tornado of 1951 and had to be torn down.  It was replaced by a grade school building after that, which was used until the grade schools consolidated in the mid-1970s.”

Campbell Hill High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                        late 1800s

Year closed:                                         1948

Consolidated to:                                    Trico School District (Campbell Hill)

Campbell Hill HS team nickname:           the “Hilltoppers” (“Red Devils” in the 1920s)

CHHS team colors:                                unavailable

School Fight Song:                                unavailable

Campbell Hill GS Class of 1947

Courtesy of Stephanie Ehlers Thornton

Campbell Hill GS Class Photo

Courtesy of Stephanie Ehlers Thornton

Campbell Hill Comm. HS Student Body 1926-27

Photo Courtesy of Joel Russell (left click on photo for larger view)

Camp Point Maplewood High School 1910-20 Era

Submitted by Keith Burns

The History of Camp Point Maplewood High School

Camp Point (population 1,244) is located in west-central Illinois in the north-central portion of Adams County.  Camp Point is about 25 miles northeast of Quincy. U.S. Highway 24 is the main roadway to and from Camp Point. County Road E 2300th Street also passes through Camp Point. The Burlington Northern & Sante Fe Railroad line passes through town as well.

The name of the town of Camp Point was established as follows according to the book titled “Place Names of Illinois” by Edward Callary. The town was originally called Garrett’s Mill after a grist mill owner named Peter Garrett. The town name was eventually changed to Camp Point as there was a nearby grove of trees that stretched from the town’s edge far into the plains. This grove of trees was thought to be a Native American campground.

The web address of http://history.rays-place.com/il/adams-camp-point.htm provides a great deal of historical information regarding the town of Camp Point. The information is taken from a book titled “Quincy and Adams County, History and Representative Men” written by David F. Wilcox and published in 1919. In summary, this article states the following:

The area in whcih Camp Point is located was first settled in the late 1820s. Camp Point was platted in 1855 along the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad line. The town was so named as it was originally a Native American settlement known as “Indian Camp Point” by the new settlers. The area had a small river and an abundance of trees making it an excellent camp ground.

Many businesses soon sprung up. The first school in the town was established in 1855. Camp Point was known through out the area as having an excellent eductonal system early on. In 1866 property was purchased with the intention of building a “graded school building.” The three story building was completed in 1867. The grounds on which the building was erected was full of maplewood trees. The school was aptly named “Maplewood High School.”

The school was well-known in all parts of the area. The school continued to excel well into the 1900s. As of the writing of the previously mentioned article, Maplewood High School had 350 students in 1919.

Camp Point Maplewood High School Entrance

Submitted by Keith Bruns

Maplewood High School became the name of the Camp Point high school building which continued to serve the community through the late 1940s. It is probable that the school became known simply as Camp Point High School at some point in the 1920s – 1940s. We believe that in the late 1940s (possibly the early 1950s) the three-year schools in the area of Camp Point were forced to close due to a new state law abolishing all two and three-year high schools. The high schools in Clayton, Coatsburg, Golden and La Prarie joined in a consolidation effort with Camp Point to create the Camp Point Central School District which became a reality in the summer of 1951. It is believed all of these schools continued to hold their own graduation ceremonies until the new school was completed in Camp Point prior to the start of the 1955-56 school year. Though all of the schools held their own graduation ceremoies the diplomas they were issued read “Central School District.”

The kids of Camp Point continue to attend the high school as part of the Central School District today.

To read more about the history of the town of Camp Point and Maplewood High School please visit the following website address:

http://history.rays-place.com/il/adams-camp-point.htm

Camp Point High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                   1867

Year became Central School Dist.  1951

Consolidated to:                               Camp Point Central School District

Camp Point HS team nickname:     “Pointers”

Camp Point HS team colors:           Black & Orange

School Fight Song:                          (needed)

Camden (population 97) is located in western Illinois in the southwestern portion of Schuyler County.  Illinois Route 99 is the main roadway to and from Camden.  Laprairie/Camden Road runs just south of Camden.  MapQuest website shows the town of Camden to be 7 blocks long and 3 blocks wide. Camden is about 15 miles south and a little west of Macomb.

According to Rootsweb webpage of http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilschuyl/Camden1908.html :

“The village of Camden, which is situated on the southwest quarter of Section 17, was laid out by Robert Brown and Joseph N. Ward, January 28, 1831, and was surveyed and platted by Samuel McHatton, Deputy County Surveyor.”

The history of the Camden school district is in need of research.  We only have found out about the former high school when we were provided research material on Frederick High School by our good fan Patrick Kinn. On the basketball schedule of the 1941 Frederick High School team were the boys of Camden High School.  Not once, but twice (they split with each winning one game that year) did the two teams meet.

We sense that Camden and Frederick were likely three-year high schools through the 1940s, likely closing in the late 1940s.  This is currently the extent of information we have.  We acknowledge there may be errors in this report, but we hope if you have the correct information you will contact us to help us tell the real story of Camden High School.

From John Weatherby regarding the Camden school.

‘The Camden school was still in operation in 1980 I believe that they closed 80 or 81. The elementary school still shared classrooms. And their sports team was the “Wildcats.” The made it to regional or state in the early 60s for basketball. The old gymnasium is still standing and currently a farmers storage shed, the basketball hoops are still hanging.”

Camden High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                            late 1800s/early 1900s

Year closed:                              late 1940s?

Consolidated to:                       Rushville School District

Camden HS team nickname:    “Wildcats”

Camden HS team colors:          unavailable

School Fight Song:                    unavailable

Cambria High School Building 1940

Submitted by Pamela Dietrich

Cambria HS Bldg 2013 – Now Community Center

Submitted by James Horaz

The History of Cambria High School

Cambria (population 1,330) is located in far south central Illinois.  The town sits in Blairsville Township on Illinois Route 184 about 2 miles north of Illinois Route 13.  Cambria is located about 5 miles northeast of Carbondale.  According to the web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/williamson/mainblairsville.htm:

“Cambria was established as a mining town in Blairsville Township. In 1895 a railroad station was opened as “Lauder”. The post office was established in 1905 under the name of “Reeves”.   In 1911 the town changed its name to Cambria which is the Latin name for Wales.”

Cambria High School Front Entrance 2013

Courtesy of James Horaz

We were told of a high school being supported in Cambria by R.D. (Sam) Vancil.  Sam provided the following comments regarding the former Cambria High School:

“This was a two-year High School. When it closed the students had a choice of going to; Carterville, Hurst (now closed), or Herrin. The former school building now houses the town’s city offices including the water department.

The people I remember included the Superintendent, Elmer Finley and teacher, Mrs. Smith.”

The following memories and information were provided by John Vaughn:

“My dad was Noble Vaughn of Cambria, Il.  He was on the school board and was responsable along with some others for building the school after it was set on fire. They put on variety shows and held ham and bean dinners. They also staged a play called “On the Trail of the Lonesome Pine.” This raised the money to rebuild the school, the building that is there now as a community center. The team was the Cambria “Blackhawks” until about 1972 and then they were known for a bit as the “Cubs.” I was a scorekeeper for many years. I have pics of the ball team 1928 (see below). My dad was on the team.”

Cambria High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                           1920s?

Year closed:                             1947

Consolidated to:                       Carterville High School

Cambria HS team nickname:   “Blackhawks”

Cambria HS team colors:          unavailable

School Fight Song:                   unavailable

Former Camargo School

Rear View

Athletics and Extra-Curriculars

It is quite possible that the students of Camargo Grade School competed in athletics and other extra-curricular activities.  Basketball, baseball, and track were probably offered to the boys.  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 Camargo High School activities.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Camargo High School boys definitely competed in boys basketball. several newspaper articles from the 1920s in the area confirmed this. However scores of Camargo HS games on the website titled “Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores” were not located. 

FOOTBALL

One article located in the Tuscola Journal from October 16, 1924 has the boys losing a game to the Tuscola High School boys 32-0. So football was also a part of the athletic curriculum. 

Need Your Assistance

If you have any information regarding the history and achievements of of Camargo Grade 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

Year opened:                               1917

Year closed:                                 1926

Students now attend:                   Thornton Fractional North HS

School Building:                           Razed

Wentworth HS team nickname:    unavailable

Wentworth HS team colors:          unavailable

School Fight Song:                       unavailable

Athletics and Extra-Curriculars

We are fairly certain that the boys of Wentworth High participated in interscholastic athletics. It is probable that the boys played basketball, baseball, and track. Coaches names and team records are sought as well. Also needed are the team colors, fight song, and team nickname.

Other activities such as proms, dances, class plays, and various clubs may have been a part of the experience as well.  We are hopeful an area fan or alumni can help us with this information.

Do YOU Have Any Further Information?

If you have any information you would like to add to the Wentworth High School page please send it to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .  A photo of the high school building would be greatly appreciated.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

Calhoun High School Building 1946

Submitted by Lisa Leslie

The History of Calhoun High School

Calhoun (population 222) is located in lower-eastern (some might say southeastern) Illinois in the southeastern quarter of Richland County.  The county road of E. Calhoun Lane (County Highway 7) is the main roadway to Calhoun.  It connects Calhoun with Illinois Route 130 dtwo miles to the west. The Indiana Hi-Rail Railroad runs by the west side of town as well.

Calhoun Store Building 1946

Submitted by Lisa Leslie

Calhoun Town Main Street 1946

Submitted by Lisa Leslie

The history of the town of Calhoun and its former school system are in need of research. Jerry Michels advises us that a high school curriculum for the kids of Calhoun and the surrounding farm lands was set in place in 1912.  The high school served the community for 35 years.  The late 1940s brought an end to several small school districts in Illinois due to legislative actions.  It was in 1947 that the services of the Calhoun High School district were discontinued.  The kids of Calhoun then continued their education at nearby Olney.  We are not certain if the Calhoun district provided classes for the grade school kids for a time after the high school closed or not.

The fate of the Calhoun High School building is a good one. The building now serves as the Calhoun Civic Center.

Calhoun High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                        1912

Year closed:                         1947

Consolidated to:                    Olney High School

Calhoun HS team nickname:  the “Wildcats”

Calhoun HS team colors:       Orange & Black

Calhoun HS Fight Song:         unavailable

Caledonia (population 199) is located in far north-central Illinois in the west-central portion of Boone County.  Illinois Route 173 is the main roadway leading to and from Caledonia.  Interstate Highway 39/90 passes by Caledonia just three miles to the west. A point of reference for location sake might be Rockford, which is a 10 mile southwesterly hike from Caledonia (as the crow flies).

We know that Caledonia once was the site of a three-year high school.  A graduation program sent to us by Roberta Van Briesen shows us that in 1945 the school honored one graduate from the junior class, proving this school was a three-year high school.

Caledonia Grade/High School Graduates – 1945

Provided by Roberta Van Briesen

Caledonia Graduation Program of 1945

Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen

The kids of Caledonia attend high school as part of the Belvidere School District at this time.  If you have any further information you can share on the former Caledonia High School please contact us.

Caledonia High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                         1920s?

Year closed:                          late 1940s?

Consolidated to:                     Belvidere School District

Caledonia HS nickname:         unavailable

Caledonia HS uniform colors:   unavailable

School Fight Song:                 unavailable