The History of Reno High School
Reno is a small village located in northwestern Bond County in southwestern Illinois. The population
of Reno is not listed on the 2000 Illinois Census. A aerial view of the town was found and shows it having a total
of 7 or 8 streets and maybe 20 to 25 houses. A "guesstimate" of the population would be about 75 - 100 residents.
There does not appear to be a major roadway to or from Reno. Two roads that intersect there are county roads,
16th Avenue and Reno Road. The At & St Railroad angles through town. A town of note would be East St. Louis
about 40 miles to the southwest of Reno.
The following historical information regarding Reno High School was provided to us by our good friend
Gerry Halpin:
"The following information is summarized from a local historical booklet titled “History of Shoal
Creek Township”, an excerpt of which was forwarded to me by Dale Eccles of Panama , IL. :
Reno had
a 3-year high school for a number of years. The Reno
building was a two-story square wooden building. The highest recorded enrollment (for grades one thru eleven) was 108
students. In 1934, a brick gymnasium was built at a cost of $17,000. It was considered “the best in the
county” for a few years. The gym had two locker rooms with two cistern systems to provide water for showers.
Reno High was closed in 1947, with the grade school continuing until the late 1950’s. The school building was
sold and torn down for salvage. The gym was used as a community center (and may still be standing today)."
Reno HIgh School kids then, as they do even today, attend Greenville High School for their education.
Reno High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: around 1948 ??
Consolidated to: Greenville High School
School nickname: unavailable
School colors: unavailable
School Fight Song: unavailable
