Evansville High School "Eagles"

Evansville High School Building

Evansville High School Building Front View

The History of Evansville High School

Evansville (population 701) is located in far southwestern Illinois in the west central portion of Randolph County. Illinois State Route 3 is the main roadway that leads you to Evansville and passes by the western edge of town. Schuline Road and Nathan Road also lead to Evansville. The town is located along the banks of the Kaskaskia River and is located about 45 miles south and a little east of East St. Louis.

Evansville was officially established in 1834 by a businessman named Caldwell Evans. A post office was established there in 1849.

Evansville at one time supported a 2-year high school. We found basketball scores involving Evanston High School as far back as 1932. We have also observed a high school class photo from Evansville High School taken in the early 1920s. It is likely the school offered high school courses beginning in the early 1900s. It is probable that the high school was discontinued in the late 1940s as most 2-year high schools were forced to close at that time.

Evansville continues to support a Lutheran high school and a public grade school. The original school building that once housed 1st grade through 10th grade has been razed. High school-aged students of Evansville now attend Sparta High School 12 miles to the east. Any further information regarding the history of Evansville High School is welcome (ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net).

Evansville High School Quick Facts

Year opened: Early 1920s, possibly earlier.

Year closed: Mid to late 1940s

Students Now Attend: Sparta High School

School Team Nickname: Eagles

School Team Colors:

School Fight Song:

ATHLETICS & EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We are certain the boys competed in basketball. It is quite likely that baseball and track were a part of the sports program as well. Evansville High School may have offered many activities such as student government, FFA, FHA, GAA, and many other clubs or activities to choose from.

BOYS BASKETBALL

We found several basketball scores involving Evansville High School on a website titled "Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores." These scores are copied and reprinted below.

1931-32 Pinckneyville District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Lost to Willisville 30 - 11

Marissa beat DuQuoin in title game

1932-33 Sparta District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Percy 30 - 18

Semi-final lost to Willisville 27 - 16

Willisville beat Marissa in title game

1934-35 Belleville District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Lost to Waterloo 33 - 17

Lebanon beat Belleville in title game

1935-36 Belleville District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Prairie du Rocher 35 - 18

2nd Round lost to Waterloo 40 - 22

Mascoutah beat New Athens in title game

1936-37 Red Bud District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Lost to Lebanon 30 - 20

Freeburg beat O'Fallon in title game

1940-41 Campbell Hill District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Lost to Percy 67 - 32

Campbell Hill beat Percy in title game

1944-45 Steeleville District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

*1st Rd Lost to Steeleville 67 - 11

Steeleville beat Percy in title game

*Last score located for Evansville High School boys basketball team in the IHSA State Tournament.

Seeking More Information

If you have any further information, including photos, to add regarding the history of Evansville and its former high school please contact us at the following addresses:

Email: ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net

USPS: IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Avenue

Chicago, Il. 60631