The History of Kaskaskia High School
Kakaskia (population 14) is located in southwestern Illinois in the southwestern
portion of Randolph County. Illinois Route 150/51 is the only route that will take you west across the Mississippi River toward
Kaskaskia. Once crossing the Mississippi River Missouri County Roadway 946 will lead to the town of St. Mary. County Road
15 will then lead to Kaskaskia. The Mississippi River flows to the east of town.
Kaskaskia has the distinction of being the ONLY town in Illinois which is located west of the Mississippi
River. It is also the second smallest town currently in Illinois with 14 residents, having one more resident than the Pike
County village of Valley City, according to the 2010 census.
Kaskaskia has an incredible history however. For one year this town was the state capital of Illinois (1818-1819).
Kaskaskia enjoyed great early prosperity as one of the important riverside ports of the midwest, reaching a population of
about 7,000. In 1881 the Mississippi River had an immense flood, literally destroying nearly everything in the town. The flood
was so great that it changes the course of the river which would now flow to the east of Kaskaskia. The town would never recover
from the flood. Population continued to decline to the point of having just 33 residents in 1980. Another great flood
submerged the town under nine feet of water in 1993. Though a few landmark buildings were saved, most of the remaining
residents relocated. Today the population sits at 14, up five residents from the year 2000. For a more extensive history
of Kaskaskia please visit the Wikipedia web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaskaskia,_Illinois .
Kaskaskia was home to Kaskaskia Academy from 1833 - 1844. We know that Kaskaskia residents supported a high school for a period of time as well. Our guess is that
Kaskaskia High School was established in the late 1800s. We believe it existed through the late 1940s. We know that the children
of Kaskaskia today attend school in nearby Chester.
An interesting article written in the New York Times on November 10, 2012 can be read at the following web
address:
Kaskaskia High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
late 1800s(?)
Year closed:
late 1940s(?)
Consolidated to:
Chester High School
Kaskaskia HS team nickname: ??
Kaskaskia HS team colors: ??
Kaskaskia HS fight song: ??
