The History of Noble West Richland High School

Noble (population 746) is located in southeastern Illinois about 35 miles southeast of Effingham and 5 miles east of Olney.  Noble sits on U.S. Route 50 and Illinois Route 250 in east-central Richland County. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad travels through town.  The Hog Run Creek flows through town as does a branch of the Big Muddy Creek.  Noble was incorporated in 1862 (http://www.iltrails.org/richland/townbio's.htm). Noble was named after an employee of the Ohio & Midland Railroad that was constructed through the area in the 1850s.

 

Noble High School served the community through the late 1940s. A consolidation effort of the local school districts in the western portion of Richland County occurred and the school's name was officially changed to Noble West Richland High School. This transformation likely took place in 1948 or 1949. West Richland High School served the town of Noble and several surrounding communities for approximately 65 years. Dwindling enrollment and financial setbacks led to the decision to annex the West Richland School District with its neighbor to the east, the East Richland School District located in Olney. This action occurred at the end of the 2013-14 school year.

  

The West Richland High School buildings, states one source, were purchased by the Olney Central College. However some of the buildings may continue to serve the East Richland school district as a school in some capacity beginning in the Fall of 2014.

Year opened:                     1948?

Year closed:                       2014

Consolidated to:                 Olney East Richland High School

WRHS team nickname:     "Wildcats"

WRHS team colors:           Black & Gold

WRHS Fight Song:             ?