The History of Lake City High School
Lake City (population approximately 100) is
located in the far northwestern portion of Moultrie County in Dora Township about 10 miles southeast of Decatur. Illinois
Route 32 passes by the northeast corner of town. County Highways 6 and 9 take you directly to Lake City. According to
www.mapquest.com Lake City is 6 blocks from east to west and 2 blocks from north to south.
A very nice early history of the town of Lake City is available at the web
address of http://www.edenmartin.com/counties/dora.htm#C . The article states that the town was established in 1873 along the
Paris & Decatur Railroad line. The town was named after James C. Lake, who donated
20 acres of his land on which the town would be platted. Several small businesses soon were initiated, including the
construction of a new school building in 1876.
The history of Lake City High School is in need of research.
We only know of its existence due to the extensive research done by our good friend Roberta VanBriesen.
The web address of http://www.old-yearbooks.com/2y/il/lakecity-1894grads.html provides an article from the Decatur Daily Republican and reports on the
Lake City High School graduation ceremonies of May 23, 1894. The article lists six students receiving their diplomas
in the "third annual" graduation ceremony.
A fan of the Glory Days website, Bob Critchelow, sent
us the following information he summarized which was found in a book titled "History of Moultrie County Schools"
written by Vera Slover.
"The building in the photos provided (above) was built in 1919 to replace
the previous school building. Lake City schools became part of the Lovington School District in the late 1940s. This
school continued to be used as a grade school through the early 1960s when it was closed. It is presently used as the parsonage
by the church in Lake City."
**Andrea Miller provides the following information
regarding current schools attended by Lake City kids:
"I'm a current resident of Lake City and have lived there for the
past 14 years. I graduated in 2010 from Lovington High school. Lake City kids currently go to grade school
at Lovington Grade School. High school students from Lake City went to Lovington High School up until the annexation to Arthur in 2012. They currently go to Arthur-Lovington High School in Arthur as of the 2012-13
school year."
**Terry Blankenship adds the following:
"I went to grade school in Lake City. I attended 1st and 2nd grades 1952
& 1953. 1st through 6th grades were held in one room and 7th and 8th in the other room. After you graduated
from 8th grade you rode a bus to Lovington to attend high school."
This is the extent of the current information we have regarding Lake City
High School. If you have any further information on the former Lake City school system please contact us via the means listed
below.
**From Suzanne Parrott:
"My 6th grade class was the last class to attend and finish 6th grade at the Lake City School in May 1962.
Then it closed and sll students were sent to Lovington. At that time 1st to 3rd grade with teacher Miss
Race, was in the south upstairs room and 4th to 6th grade with teacher Mrs Ruth Davis, was
in the north upstairs room. The music/ play room plus girls bathroom was below the 1st to 3rd grade room and the kitchen
and boys bathroom was below the 4th to 6th grade room. Both teachers are with us in the kitchen and also played outdoors
during recess. Miss Race and Mrs Davis both played softball with students, jumped
rope. And joined in on all activities at recess."
Lake City High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
1889?
First Graduating Class: 1892
Year HS closed: not
available
Year GS closed: 1962
Consolidated to:
Lovington High School
Kids Now Attend:
Arthur-Lovington High School
Lake City HS nickname: ?
Lake City HS colors: ?
School Fight Song: ?
