Provided by John Bybee - from "The History of McDonough County, Illinois--Volume I"
Original Tennessee School Building Sketch
Courtesy of John Bybee - "History of McDonough County, Illinois". S.J. Clark., 1878
The History of Tennessee High School
Tennessee (Illinois - population 144) is located in western McDonough County on U.S. Route
136 approximately 10 miles southwest of Macomb. The At & St Railroad runs through town.
It is believed Tennessee High School was established in the late 1800s. The year of its deactivation is
not known. A guess would be in the late 1940s, but this could be incorrect. The year 1948 pops up again bet is
not verified. Tennessee continued to offer a grade school (grades 1 - 5) for the town and surrounding country
kids. The grade school closed in 1956 after Colchester built a new grade school in their town.
The students of Tennessee attended school as part of the Colchester school system after the Tennessee deactivation. The students of Tennessee now attend West Prairie High School in Sciota. The grammar school students attend
school in Colchester. The fate of the original Tennessee High School building is also needed.
Tennessee School History
Supplied by John Bybee
Tennessee High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
late 1800s
Year closed:
possibly 1948?
Year Grade School closed: 1956
School nickname: the
"Tigers"
School colors: unavailable
School Fight Song: unavailable
Athletics
The Tennessee High School Tigers offered boys basketball and probably track and baseball. This information is needed
to be shared with others. Though not mentioned on the IHSA web site as winning "state" hardware, we are told the Tennessee
Tigers had some excellent teams over the years. If you have this knowledge please take the time to write us and
share this information with others. The efforts and accomplishments of the former alumni and townspeople who made this
high school succeed should never be forgotten.
Can You Help Us Out?
Please share your knowledge of the Tennessee School System with us. You can see there are many gaps to be
filled. Let's fill in the blanks before the many great memories are lost forever. Please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or via real mail at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631
Tennesse Vintage Photos
Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)
Tennessee Train Depot
Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)
Tennessee Vintage Photos
Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)
Tennessee Vintage Photos
Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)
