Bureau Junction High School

Bureau Junction High School Building 2020

Erected in 1898

Bureau Junction HS Building From West Side 2020

Bureau Junction Water Tower 2020

The History of Bureau Junction High School

Bureau Junction (population 368) is located in the north-central portion of Illinois in the southeast corner of Bureau County. The town sits about 4 miles southeast of the county seat of Princeton. The Illinois Routes of 26 and 29 come together in Bureau Junction. Interstate Highway 180 sits just one mile to the west and one mile to the south of town. The Illinois River and Spring Lake are located to the east of town while the Hennepin Canal passes by the town's south side. The Iowa Interstate Railroad also passes through Bureau Junction. The town is more commonly known simply as Bureau.

Bureau was named after a French explorer named Pierre de Beuro (http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilbureau/towns.htm). Information regarding the early start of Bureau have been difficult to find. We do know that the town benefitted from its creation as a railroad crossroad in the mid 1800s. One article stated that Bureau was known as the "city of side tracks".

We know there was a school in place by the early 1870s. We believe that at one point high school courses were offered as well. The only proof we have at this time is a photo of the high school basketball team taken in 1924 (http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/History/Photos/Bureau/photos2.html). We also located IHSA District Tournament basketball scores involving Bureau Junction High School from 1932 - 1942.

Bureau Junction School Inscription Above Entrance

"Bureau School 1898"

Bureau Jumction School Cornerstone 2 Near Entrance

Bureau Junction School Cornerstone Near Entrance

We do know that the Bureau Junction supported a K-8 grade school in town known as Leepertown Grade School. Leepertown Grade School was held in the former Bureau Junction High School building. Leepertwon Grade School was closed in 2013 due to student enrollment losses and financial strife. The kids of Leepertown school continue their education at nearby Ladd Grade School. Any further information would be greatly appreciated.

Bureau Junction High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed: 1942?

Consolidated to: Hall Township High School (Spring Valley)

Bureau Junction HS team colors: unavailable

Bureau Junction HS team nickname: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Bureau Junction School Gym & Building 2020

ATHLETICS

The boys of Bureau High School competed in basketball. It is probable that baseball and track were also offered. We are searching for information on the school team's nickname, uniform colors, fight song, season records, and coach's names.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Bureau Junction High School boys definitely competed in basketball. They participated in the IHSA State Tournament from the 1920s through at least 1942. A check in newspapers.com did not reveal any high school basketball games played by Bureau Junction after the 1942 District Tournament. This is the entirety of information we have regarding BJHS basketball. Scores from the IHSA State Tournament as found on the website "Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores" are reprinted below.

1931-32 Princeton District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Lamoille 24-20

Sheffield beat DePue in title game.

1932-33 Princeton District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Manlius 18-16

DePue beat Malden title game.

1933-34 Princeton District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Spring Valley Hall 33-18

DePue beat Princeton in title game.

1934-35 Season record, district scores, and coach's name needed.

1935-36 Sheffield District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Mineral 53-8

Lamoille beat Ohio in title game.

1936-37 Wyanet District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Wyanet 27-20

Wyanet beat Sheffield in title game.

1937-38 Season record, district scores, and coach's name needed.

1938-39 Season record, district scores, and coach's name needed.

1939-40 Season record, district scores, and coach's name needed.

1940-41 LaMoille District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Compton 35-15

2nd Rd lost to Wyanet 26-22

LaMoille beat Malden in title game.

1941-42 LaMoille District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Compton 26-21

*2nd Rd lost to LaMoille 50-10

Tiskilwa beat Lamoille in title game.

*Possibly the last game played by Bureau Junction High School boys' basketball team.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Band, chorus, school plays, clubs, and banquets were also probably offered at Bureau High School. Information on these events is welcome too.

MEMORIES

**From Lisa Thompson-Bittel:

"My grandmother, Mabel Brady Morris graduated from this school around 1916-18. Our family owned the land that the trailer house sits on by the school for over a century. I attended this school in the early to late 70's. In fact we were the first classes to move into the new addition with the particians. My name is Lisa Thompson-Bittel. Is there any way of contacting other adults who attended? My cousin is the current Principal."

Seeking Your Assistance

If you have ANY further information about Bureau Junction High School please share it with us. Photos and information can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

Bureau Junction School Fire Escape Chute 2020

Bureau Junction School Welcome Mat 2020

Bureau Junction School Sign 2020

Bureau Junction School Entrance 2020

Bureau Junction Fire Department Emblem 2020

Former Gas Station Building, Bureau Junction

Photo Taken in 2013 by Roberta Van Briesen