The History of Kansas Eton Academy High School
Kansas (population 787) is located in far east-central Illinois in the southwest portion
of Edgar County. Kansas sits on Illinois Route 16 at the intersection of Illinois Route 49 and County Highway 12. Kansas
is located about 14 miles northeast of Charleston. The success of Kansas' early growth stems from the construction of
the Terre Haut & Alton Railroad through the area. Kansas enjoyed trhe benefits of a railway system in their town
until 1983 when railway service was discontinued.
The area in which Kansas was established was first settled in the early 1820s. In 1853 the village
was created and initially named Midway. It was later found that there was a village named Midway in Fulton County. The town
was eventually incorporated in 1858 and named Kansas after the township it was located in.
The first school in Kansas was started in 1853. In 1889 the Kansas school district was formed which
included both a grade and high school. This school system continues to be in service today. The sports teams were known
as the Kansas High School Bulldogs until 2004 when an all-sports cooperative agreement was made with nearby Oakland.
In 1894 a private school known as the Eaton Academy was created. It was the dream of Mr. and
Mrs. Edward Willasey. The school accepted students from age eight
through high school. This school closed in 1904. Another website for limited information
regarding Eaton Academy is found at the web adddress of
Kansas Eton Academy Quick Facts
Year opened: 1894
Year closed: 1904
Consolidated to: Kansas High School
Unknown if sports were offered
IF YOU HAVE
ANY INFORMATION ABOUT KANSAS ETON ACADEMY...
then please contact us. We
are always looking for information about the school, memories and information of former students, and so on. A picture
of the school building would also be greatly appreciated. Please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or thru the USPS at:
Illinois High School
Glory Days
6439 N. Neva Ave.
Chicago, IL
60631
