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Oquawka High School "Indians"
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Oquawka High School
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Oquawka, Illinois

The "Original" Oquawka High School
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The History of Oquawka High School
 
Oquawka (population 1,539) is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River in far western Henderson County.  Il. Route 164 is the main highway in town.  A larger town of note in the area is Monmouth which sits 16 miles east of Oquawka. Oquawka was established in 1833 as "Yellow Banks" referring to the sandy bluffs near the area. The name of the town was changed to Oquawka in 1836. This is a Native American word with more than one potential meaning. .
 
The residents have a long history of good education in regards to their children.  Oquawka High School provided many years of solid learning and the production of good solid citizens. It was in 1914 that the first students attended classes of Oquawka Township High School.  According to Marilyn Thompson Stailey, these first classes were held in the German Lutheran Church in Oquawka. It was in 1948 that the towns of Oquawka and Gladstone initiated consolidation talks. This initiative was completed and became a reality.  The Gladstone /  Oquawka School District was started, effectively ending the the solo educational system of Oquawka.   
 
You can learn more about Gladstone / Oquawka High School by reading their page on this site.  The Gladstone / Oquawka School District eventually joined a consolidation effort of all the schools in western Henderson County. The students of Oquawka now attended school as part of the Biggsville Union School District for that school consolidated to the West Central School District also in Biggsville. 
 
Oquawka High School Quick Facts
 
Year opened:             1914
Year closed:              1948
Consolidated to:        Gladstone-Oquawka High School 
School nickname:      the "Indians"
School colors:           Black & Gold
School Fight Song:    "On Oquawka"
                                           Sung to the tune of ON WISCONSIN. 
                                            Thank you to Marilyn Thompson Stailey 

Oquawka High School
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Different Angle

Athletics
 
Oquawka High School definately offered boy's basketball as part of their extra-curricular activities.  We are also confident they may have offered track, baseball, and possibly football.  Assistance is being asked for regarding the OHS athletic program.
 
Boys Basketball
 
The Oquawka boys brought home two District titles coming in 1938 and 1947.  There is no other mention of their successes on the IHSA web site. Several basketball scores involving Oquawka in the IHSA State Tourney were locatgewd on a website titled "Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores." These scores are reprinted below.
1932-33                  Roseville District Tournament               Coach's name & record needed 
                               1st Rd lost to Seaton 31-28
                               Monmouth beat Kirkwood in title game
      
1933-34                  Roseville District Tournament               Coach's name & record needed 
                               1st Rd lost to Kirkwood 36-8
                               Media Wever beat Keithsburg in title game
     
1934-35                  Roseville District Tournament               Coach's name & record needed 
                               1st Rd lost to Keithsburg 55-7
                               Roseville beat Stronghurst in title game
     
1935-36                  Blandinsville District Tournament         Coach's name & record needed 
                               1st Rd Beat Terre Haute 30-22
                                Semi-final lost to Alexis 27-14
                               Alexis beat Blandinsville in title game
    
1936-37                  Colchester District Tournament            Coach's name & record needed 
                               Semi-Final lost to Stronghurst 37-24
                               Good Hope beat Stronghurst in title game
     
1937-38                  Keithsburg District Champions         Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd Beat New Windsor 25-19
                               Semi-Final Beat Matherville
                               Title Game Beat Keithsburg 31-25
                               IHSA Regional Tournament
                               Scores Needed
                   
1938-39                  New Boston District Runner-Up        Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd Beat New Windsor 44-34
                               Semi-Final Beat Matherville 35-25
                               Title Game lost to Viola 32-28
                               Aledo Regional Tournament
                               1st Rd lost to Alexis 32-23
                               Alpha beat Sherrard in title game
      
1939-40  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
  
1940-41                  New Boston District Tournament          Coach's name & record needed 
                               1st Rd lost to New Boston 31-12
                               New Boston beat Seaton in title game
  
1941-42  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
  
1942-43                  New Boston District Tournament          Coach's name & record needed 
                               1st Rd lost to Seaton 35-25
                               Seaton beat New Boston in title game
  
1943-44  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1944-45  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
  
1945-46                   New Windsor District Tournament       Coach's name & record needed
                                1st Rd Beat Little York 33-20
                                Remaining District Scores Needed
  
1946-47                  New Boston District Champions       Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd Beat Seaton 31-22
                               Semi-Final Beat Little York 54-28
                               Title Game Beat Alpha 55-30
                               Aledo Regional Tournament
                               1st Rd lost to Roosevelt Military 39-31
                               Roosevelt Military beat Sherrard in title game
    
1947-48                   New Windsor District Tournament       Coach's name & record needed
                                **1st Rd lost to Seaton 42-37
                                New Boston Beat Seaton in title game.  
**Final boys basketball game for the Oquawka "Indians" varsity boys basketball team
     
 
Memories
 
From Marilyn Thompson Stailey: 
 
"The basketball and baseball teams were very good for such a small town.  We won many games and tournaments. The school newspaper was called Wigwam Whispers.  The last issue of the paper was printed for the year 1947-1948.  Basketball team members of the 1946-47 District Champions included Don Meloan, Charles Ruberg, Bud Berlin, James Gillette, Charley Parsons, Hal Olson.  Cheerleaders: Eileen Nolan, Ann Swann, Patty Peters, & Pauline McGraw.
 
Info from year book of 1943-44:
B. Clark Campbell was the Principal and Coach 1943-44.  This was his third year as Superintendent.  (He had been teacher and Principal of the Oquawka Grade School for sometime.  The Grade School was in the building of the original High School). There were 119 individuals listed as members of the military having served or servinng.  The name of year book is Riverside Echos
 
Info from year book 1946-47:
B Clark Campbell was Coach and, also, Principal
 
Info from year book 1947-48:
Coach was Carl L. Wheelock" 
 
Need Your Help
 
We always are looking for a staunch supporter of the school and town to help us in gathering information.  If you can help please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form.  We are especially interested in photos of the school building and great teams or individuals from Oquawka.  You may also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. or write us at:
 
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il.   60631   

The High School Building
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Oquawka, Illinois

From the Side
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Oquawka High School