Plymouth High School "Blackhawks"

*HOME PAGE
Closed High Schools Alumni Apparel
*RECENT UPDATES
*CLOSED HIGH SCHOOLS LISTED BY COUNTY
IN THE BEGINNING - Where Closed High Schools Consolidated To
*YOUR COMMENTS
*SUBMIT A COMMENT or SUGGESTION
*THE "TO-DO" LIST
*ABOUT THE AUTHORS
GREAT CONFERENCES
*CLOSED GRADE SCHOOLS
RELIGIOUS ORDERS
MASCOTS & NICKNAMES
*LINKS TO OTHER SITES
COUNTRY SCHOOLS / SPECIAL BLDGS
*Schools That Start With "A"
*Schools That Start With "B"
*Schools That Start With "C"
*Schools That Start With "D"
*Schools That Start With "E"
*Schools That Start With "F"
*Schools That Start With "G"
*Schools That Start With "H"
*Schools That Start With... "I"
*Schools That Start With "J"
*Schools That Start With "K"
*Schools That Start With "L"
*Schools That Start With "M"
*Schools That Start With "N"
*Schools That Start With "O"
*Schools That Start With "P"
*Schools That Start With "Q"
*Schools That Start With "R"
*Schools That Start With "S"
*Schools That Start With.. "T"
*Schools That Start With.. "U"
*Schools That Start With.. "V"
*Schools That Start With "W"
*Schools That Start With.. "X"
*Schools That Start With.. "Y"
*Schools That Start With.. "Z"
Palmer High School
*Palmyra High School
*Panama High School
*Parkersburg High School
Patterson High School
Pavilion Long Grv. Acad.
*Paxton High School
*Payson High School
*Pearl High School
*Penfield High School
*Penfield St. Lawrence Ac.
*Peoria Academy of O. L.
*Peoria Bergan HS
*PeoriaAveryville/Kingman
*Peoria Spalding
*Peoria Woodruff H.S.
Percy High School
*Peru Acad. of St. Joseph
*Perry High School
*Pesotum High School
*Petersburg High School
*Philo High School
Philo St. Joseph HS
*Piopolis Catholic H.S.
*Piper City High School
*Piper City Ford Central HS
*Pittsburg High School
*Plato Center H.S.
*Plattville High School
*Plymouth High School
*Pocahontas High School
*Poplar Grove High School
*Port Byron High School
*Potomac High School
*PotomacMaryJudySch,
*Potomac Wescove HS
*Prairie City HS
*Prairieville High School
*(Putnam)Senachwine HS
Quincy Chris. Bro/Cath. HS
Quincy College Acad./Boys
Quincy St.MaryInst./ND
*Rankin High School
Ransom High School
*Rantoul Donovan Mem. HS
Rardin High School
*Ray High School
*Raymond High School
*Reddick R.U.C.E. H. S.
*Redmon High School
Reno High School
*Reynolds High School
Richmond High School
*Ridge Farm High School
*Ridgway High School
Ringwood High School
*Rio High School
*River Forest High School
*RiverGrove Holy Cross HS
*RiverGrove Mother Guerin
*Roanoke Hgh School
*Robbs High School
*Roberts High School
*Roberts-Thawville HS
Rockbridge High School
*Rockford High School
*Rkfd. Bishop Muldoon
*Rockford St. James HS
*Rockford St. Thomas
*Rockford West H S
*R.I. St. Joseph's HS
*R.I. Villa de Chantal
*Rockport High School
*Rolling Meadows SHM HS
*Rollo High School
*Roodhouse High School
*Rosamond High School
Roscoe High School
Rose Hill High School
*Roseville High School
*Rosiclare High School
*Rossville High School
*Rossville-Alvin H.S.
*Royalton High School
*Rushville High School
*Rutland High School
*Sadorus High School
*Sailor Springs H.S.
*St. Anne Academy
St. Anne Cath. Boys Acad.
*St. Charles Mt. St. Mary
*St. Charles Valley Luth.
*St. Francisville HS
St. George HS
*St. Jacob High School
St. James High School
*St. Joseph High School
St. Rose High School
Ste. Marie High School
*Salisbury High School
Sandusky Young HS
*San Jose High School
*Saunemin High School
*Savanna High School
*Saybrook High School
*Saybrook-Arrowsmith HS
Schram City School
*Sciota Northwestern HS
*Scottland High School
*Scottville High School
*Seaton High School
Seatonville High School
*Secor High School
*Sesser High School
*Seward High School
*Seymour High School
*Shabbona High School
*Shannon High School
*Shawneetown H.S.
*Sheffield High School
*Sheldon High School
Sheridan High School
Shields High School
*Shipman High School
*(Shirley) Ben Funk HS
Shumway High School
*Sibley High School
*Sidell High School
Sidney High School
Sigel High School
Silvis High School
*Simpson High School
*Skokie Niles East HS
Smithboro High School
*Smithfield High School
Sorento High School
*South Chicago HS
*Sparland High School
Springerton High School
*Sprngfld Cathed./Griffin HS
*Springfield Converse HS
*Sprinfield Feitshans HS
*Spfld Sacred Heart Acad
*Spgfld. St. James HS
*Spfld. Ursuline Academy
*Stanford High School
*Sterling St. Mary's/C.C.
*Sterling Nazarene
*Steward High School
*Stewardson High School
Stiritz High School
*Stockland High School
*Stonefort High School
*Stonington High School
*Strasburg High School
*Strasburg High School
*Strawn High School
StreatorNewMich.Acad.
*Stronghurst High School
*Stronghurst Southern HS
*Sugar Grove HS
*Sumner High School
*Sycamore St. Alban's
*Sycamore Waterman Hall
*Table Grove High School
*Tamaroa High School
*Tallula High School
*Tamms Community HS
*Tampico High School
Techny Bros. Cand. HS
*Tennessee High School
*Terre Haute High School
^T'toplis/W'mont St. Joseph
*Thawville High School
*Thebes High School
Thomasboro High School
*Thomson High School
*Tilden High School
Timewell High School
*Tiskilwa High School
*Toledo High School
*Tolono High School
*Toluca High School
*Toluca St. Ann H.S.
*Toluca St. Joachim H.S.
*Tonica High School
*Toulon Academy H.S.
*Toulon-Lafayette HS
*Toulon Township HS
*Towanda High School
*Tower Hill High School
Trenton High School
*Trivoli High School
*Troy Grove School
*Troy McCray-Dewey HS
*Ullin High School
*Union High School
*Union Hill HS
*Upper Alton High School
Ursa High School
*Valier High School
*Varna High School
*(Varna)Mid-County HS
*Venice High School
*Venice Lincoln H.S.
*Venice Newport HS
*Venice St. Mark's HS
*Vergennes High School
Vermilion High School
*Vermilion Grove Academy
*Vermont High School
Vernon High School
*Versailles High School
*Victoria High School
*Viola High School
*Virden High School
*Waggoner High School
*Walnut High School
Walnut Grove Twnshp HS
*Walpole High School
*Wapella High School
*Warrensburg High School
Wasco High School
*Washburn High School
*Wataga High School
Waterloo Sts. Peter & Paul
*Waterman High School
Watson High School
*Waukegan East HS
*Waukegan Holy Child HS
Waukegan West HS
*Waynesville High School
Wedron High School
*Weldon High School
*Wellington High School
*Wenona High School
*West Brooklyn H.S.
*West Point High School
*West Salem High School
*West Union H.S.
*West York High School
*Westchester IHM
*Westervelt High School
*Westfield High School
*Wheaton Central HS
*Wheaton-Warrenville HS
*White Hall High School
*Willisville High School
Willisville-Percy H.S.
*Willow Hill High School
*Wilmette Mallinckrodt HS
*Wilmette Maria Imm. Acad
*Wing High School
*Winnetka New Trier East
*Winola High School
*Winslow High School
*Witt High School
*Wolf Lake High School
*Woodhull High School
*Woodland High School
Woodson High School
Woodstock St. Mary HS
*Woodstock Seminary
*Worden High School
*Wyanet High School
*Wyoming High School
Xenia High School
Yale High School
*Yates City High School
*Youngstown High School
*Zeigler High School

Plymouth High School with New Addition of 1916
plymouthhswith1916additiondav1.jpg
Courtesy of Danielle (Smith) Marinelli & History of Plymouth HS 1883 - 1992

Original Academy of Plymouth School Building 1862
plymouthhswith1862dav.jpg
Courtesy of Danielle Martinelli Via History Of Plymouth School Booklet

The History of the Plymouth High School "Blackhawks"
 
The town of Plymouth is situated on the eastern border of Hancock County in western Illinois. The town and its 562 residents are located on Il. Rt. 61 approximately 17 miles southwest of Macomb. 
 
An excellent account of the educational history of Plymouth was provided to us by Danielle (Smith) Marinelli (Class of 1992). The booklet, titled "History of Plymouth School, Graduates 1883 through 1992, Collectors Edition," gives an in-depth account of the history of the Plymouth school system from its roots in 1836 until its consolidation to the Southeastern School District in 1992. I will attempt to summarize the highlights of this account below:
 
The first Plymouth School building was a one-room log cabin school house that was erected in 1836. This building was replaced by a wooden structure in 1851. This structure, in turn, was replaced by a brick structure in 1856.
 
An association called the "Plymouth Education Society" was formed in late 1855 to early 1856. After some dissention and bad luck in attempting to erect the brick building, it was finally finished in 1862. The building was named the Academy of Plymouth School. It was 40' X 50', two stories high, had four class rooms, a recitation room, and could accomodate 200 students comfortably.  
 
An addition was added to this building in 1915 and a four-year high school was established. From 1883 until 1915 the school was a three-year high school. The first graduating class of 1883 consisted of four girls. The first graduating class from the four-year Plymouth High was made up of 14 students. A gymnasium was added to the school in 1920.  
 
Plymouth High School was recognized and given approval by the State of Illinois in 1947 to proceed as a Community High School District. This meant that several of the surrounding country school districts would consolidate to the Plymouth School District. In all, fourteen separate country school districts would consolidate to the Plymouth Community High School District.  
 
In 1949 a three-room school building was added to the Plymouth school complex for grades 3-6. In 1950 an agricultural building was added. Also in 1950 the Plymouth School District secured funding for a new gymnasium. In 1955 the final addition was put in place as part of the Plymouth school complex. This addition would have 15 classrooms.
 
The largest class to graduate from Plymouth High School was the class of 1936 with 40 members. The smallest class to graduate from PHS was the class of 1905 with only one graduate. The final graduating class of 1992 had a total of 13 students.
 
Student enrollment and financial concerns took their toll on the Plymouth High School future. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, consolidation talks arose between the neighboring towns of Plymouth, Augusta, and Bowen. This effort was realized in the spring of 1992 with the creation of the Southeastern School District. The high school for the new school district landed in Augusta.       
 
Plymouth school buildings now host the Pre K-4th grade classes for the Southeastern School District.  
 
Plymouth HS Blackhawks Quick Facts  
 
Year opened as 3-year HS:   1883
Year 4-year HS started:        1915
Year closed:                        1992
Consolidated to:                   Southeastern School District (Augusta)
School nickname:                 the "Blackhawks"
School colors:                      Black & Orange
School Fight Song:               "Our Director" 
                                           Lyrics submitted by GARY R. MILLER (Class of 1974)
                                                         Click on button to hear music and/or sing along
 
                                            I RAH for Plymouth High School,
                                            Loyal and true.
                                            We'll fight for victory
                                            And stand back of you.
 
                                            Rah! Rah! Rah!
 
                                            Always in a conflict
                                            We will come through.
                                            Proud and victorious
                                            Our best for you.

Plymouth HS Baseball - 1920s?
plymouthhsbaseball1920s.jpg

Athletics
 
Plymouth HS athletes enjoyed many great seasons in various sports the school offered. The school faired well in boys basketball and baseball. The school's nickname was the "Blackhawks," named after the famous Native American Chief Blackhawk. The best records in these sports according to the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) are listed below.
 
 
Baseball
 
Coach Dave Swisegood appears to be the only name one needs to know regarding PHS Baseball. Coaching from 1955-1980, Coach Swisegood's teams compiled an incredible record of 411-217. Included were two Regional Championships and nine "20+" game winning seasons. In fact, Coach Swisegood is still the skipper of the Augusta Southeastern baseball team to this day (2010).  He is currently the winningest coach in IHSA baseball history! The best of the Baseball seasons recorded are listed below.
 
1958-59    21 - 1                                             Coach Dave Swisegood
1963-64    26 - 3                                             Coach Dave Swisegood
1964-65    20 - 9                                             Coach Dave Swisegood
1965-66    22 - 5                                             Coach Dave Swisegood
1966-67    27 - 2       Regional Champions    Coach Dave Swisegood
1967-68    20 - 10                                           Coach Dave Swisegood
1969-70    22 - 5                                             Coach Dave Swisegood
1970-71    26 - 6                                             Coach Dave Swisegood
1979-80    24 - 3       Regional Champions    Coach Dave Swisegood

PHS Gymnasium Built in 1920
plymouthhsgym1920dav.jpg
Courtesy of Danielle (Smith) Marinelli

Boys Basketball
 
Plymouth HS brought home three District titles and one Regional championship during its existence. Information regarding the better records and coaches at Plymouth High School are being sought. The more successful teams are listed below.
 
1940-41       District Champions
1941-42       District Champions
1956-57       Regional Champions
1965-66       District Champions
 
On maybe of a lesser note, the Plymouth Basketball team had a 46-game losing streak from 1988 to 1990. Were there any positive memories of those years? Surely there had to be.
 
Girls Volleyball 
 
The girl's volleyball team at Plymouth High had some very good seasons in the 1980s. Their coach was Deb Rakers, who started at the school in 1980 and stayed with the volleyball program through the last year of existence for the school. Though never winning any IHSA hardware, Coach Rakers did win 115 games in her 11 seasons at the school. PHS' best years are listed below.
 
1986-87    19 - 11       Coach Deb Rakers
1987-88    21 - 3         Coach Deb Rakers
 
MEMORIES
 
"I attended Plymouth (schools) from 1974 to 1987. The school colors were black and orange. The nickname was the Blackhawks (after Chief Blackhawk). Our school fight song was 'The Director.' Both of my parents were 1965 graduates of Plymouth HS." 
Mary F.   submitted April 14, 2005
 
From Coach Deb Rakers:
 
"I taught and coached at Plymouth from 1980-1989. I now coach at Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, Il. I have great memories of my years at Plymouth and made a lot of good friends."
 
Other Sports Records and Information Sought
 
Information is being sought regarding other sports offered at Plymouth High School. Also, the closing of the school is based on the last record listed by the boys basketball team on the IHSA web site. If this information is incorrect, please send us an update by submitting a Guest Commentary form. We are also seeking any other information you might be willing to share. You can also write us at:
 
 
or
 
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il.  60631

Newspaper Article on Coach Dave Swisegood
plymouthswisegoodarticle3mons.jpg