Venice Lincoln High School Rams

Venice Lincoln HS Entrance

Submitted by Jim Jeffries

The History of Venice Lincoln High School

Venice (population 2,528) is a town located in southwestern Illinois along the Mississippi River on Il. Route 3. This places Venice approximately 4 miles northwest of East St. Louis. The Norfolk Southern Railroad and the Terminal Rail Road Association, or TRRA as most know it, of St. Louis Railroads run through the city. It is located in western Madison County.

It is believed Venice Lincoln High school was established near or shortly after the establishment of Venice High School which occurred in 1917. Lincoln was set up as a segregated African American high school on Venice's south edge. The two high school system lasted in Venice for about five decades. In the mid 1960s the decision was made to integrate the two schools into one high school. The school district integrated one HS grade at a time starting in 1963-64. It is said the integration was quite successful and was helped by the immediate success of the school's basketball program.

The old Venice Lincoln school building still stands and is in pretty good shape. The Venice School building where all the students went when they were integrated in the 60's has been demolished. Ironically, all the students will now go back to the original Lincoln school building. When the schools of Venice and Lincoln consolidated, it was the Venice High School building that was used for conducting classes.

A photo of the Lincoln High School building can also be viewed at http://www.builtstlouis.net/eaststlouis/brooklyn01.html .

For information on VENICE HIGH SCHOOL left click here.

Venice Lincoln High School Quick Facts

Year opened: mid 1910s

Year closed: 1963

Consolidated with: Venice High School

School team nickname: the "Rams"

School colors: Blue & White

School Fight Song: unavailable

Lincoln HS Trophy Case

Courtesy of Jim Jeffries

Athletics

Venice Lincoln High School definitely competed in boys basketball. It is probable that baseball and track were also offered, possibly even football at one time. The Lincoln High school fight song, as well as conference affiliation, are being sought.

We are told that in its early days Lincoln High School played many of its games with schools from Missouri. If you can assist us with this information please contact us by the means listed below.

Lincoln High School Gymnasium

Submitted by Jim Jeffries

Boys Basketball

The Venice Lincoln boys basketball program dominated the small schools of the immediate area toward the end of its existence. The program won six straight District titles between the years of 1956-57 and 1960-61. At the time it was common for the District champs to be the 8th seed in the Regional, forcing a first round match-up with the number one seed. Lincoln was often matched with Collinsville or an East St. Louis team, schools many times their size in enrollment. Lincoln always put up a great fight, possibly even getting past the first round on one occassion, however they could not quite get over the hump in the second round.

The best of the Lincoln HS basketball seasons, according to the IHSA webstie (www.ihsa.org) are listed below. Unfortunately the coach's names and team records of these and other great Venice Lincoln HS teams are not currently available.

1949-50 4 - 11 Coach George Cross

1950-51 12 - 10 Conference Champions Coach George Cross

1951-52 17 - 9 District Champions Coach George Cross

1952-53 10 - 13 Coach George Cross

1953-54 10 - 13 Coach George Cross

1954-55 9 - 18 Conference Champs Coach George Cross

1955-56 14 - 14 Conference Champs Coach George Cross

1956-57 District Champions Coach Stan Lynch

1957-58 District Champions Coach Stan Lynch

1958-59 18 - 4 District Champions Coach Stan Lynch

Beat Troy in Title Game 65-42

Lost in 1st Rd. of Regional to

Collinsville 69 - 64

Venice Lincoln District Champs 1958-59

Submitted by Donn Hornberger

1959-60 District Champions Coach Stan Lynch

1960-61 District Champions Coach Stan Lynch

Lost 1st Rd. Regional Game to

Collinsville 83 - 64

1961-62 Coach Stan Lynch

1962-63 (School's Final Season) Coach Stan Lynch

One of the Final Venice Lincoln HS Rams Teams

Submitted by Venice Historical Society (Donn Hornberger)

If You Have ANY Further Information...

... regarding the many successes and acheivements of Venice Lincoln High School please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. We are especially interested in a photo of the Lincoln HS building. You can write us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il. 60631