The History of Stanford High School
Stanford (population 670) is located in western McLean County approximately 10 miles west
and a little south of Bloomington. Illinois Route 122 is the main road that runs just north of town. The Illinois
Central Gulf Railroad makes its way through the center of McLean.
Stanford took great care in educating its children throughout the years, beginning with the establishment
of a school system in Stanford around 1890. The high school became part of the system shortly thereafter and opened up
its own building by 1896, before building again in 1920.
The school first became involved in a consolidation effort with its neighbor Minier in 1968, forming the Stanford-Minier School District for a brief time. It is a fact that Stanford-Minier
was then involved in a consolidation effort with its neighbors Armington, Atlanta, Danvers, Hopedale, Minier, and Waynesville. In 1972, this effort resulted in the creation of the Olympia School District. Stanford was fortunate enough
to land the high school just a couple miles southwest of town.
We are aware that the second high school building was torn down in 1980 although the gymnasium was saved
and is still standing (see picture below) as a part of the now-closed Stanford Grade School.
Stanford High School graduate (Class of 1968) Diana DeWeese provided the following
information regarding the photo of the Standford High School building provided above and the gymnasium used by the high school
teams:
"I recently commissioned a local artist - William Crook, Jr. - Springfield,
IL - to create a "pen and ink" drawing of the Stanford High School for the program booklet for our annual All-School Reunion
which is held in June of each year.
The picture labeled "Stanford High School gym" (below) was actually the gym attached
to the grade school. It was used by both the high school and grade school students. The high school did have a
gym, but it did not have any public seating and therefore was not used for IHSA games. It was used primarily for gym
classes, band and choir classes, and banquets."
Stanford High School Quick Facts
Year opened: 1890s
First building opened:
1896
Second building opened:
1920
Year closed/merged with Minier:
1968
Year merged into Olympia School District: 1972
Building razed: 1980
School nickname:
Indians
School colors: Scarlet
& Black
School Fight Song: "We're
Loyal To You, Stanford High"
University of Illinois Fight Song Tune
Submitted by an anonymous fan
Stanford
High School Fight Song
We’re
loyal to you Stanford High
We’ll
always b true Stanford High
We know you’ll
not fail, As your name we will hail,
AS the BEST
in the land Stanford High
(RAH RAH)
So fight red
and black Stanford High!
And never
turn back Stanford High!
Our team is
our fame protector,
Our boys are
sure to win,
A victory,
for you Stanford High!
CHA HEE! CHA-HA!
STANFORD INDIANS
RAH! RAH!
RAH!
In Memory
Of
Magnus Richard
Mehl
Class of 1963
 vs. Chenoa)
