Dahlgren High School

Dahlgren High School in 1949

Submitted by Howard Allen

Dahlgren High School

Now Dahlgren Elementary School

The History of Dahlgren High School

Dahlgren (population 514) is located in south-central Illinois about 15 miles southeast of Mt. Vernon. The town sits on Illinois Route 142 in northwestern Hamilton County. The Shelton Creek flows through the northeast side of Dahlgren. The Louisville & Nashville Railroad runs a line through town that was very instrumental in its early growth. Dahlgren's settlement began in 1870 and was named after U.S. Army General Dahlgren. By 1884 the town had prospered into a thriving community. For more on the town's history check out http://carolyar.com/Illinois/Villages.htm.

Dahlgren High School - Addition of 1969

Courtesy of Jamie Driskill

We believe that Dahlgren residents began a school system for their children in the late 1800s. It is probable that high school curriculum was offered by the early 1900s. Dahlgren High School served the town and its children well for over seven decades. In the early 1970s Dahlgren residents began talks of deactivating their high school. These talks became a reality in 1972 and Dahlgren High School was annexed into the McLeansboro High School system.

Dahlgren did maintain an elementary school in their town for grades K - 6. The elementary school is pictured above and we believe it once served as Dahlgren High School. The Dahlgren Elementary School website is found at www.unit10.com/DH/.

Dahlgren High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed: 1972

Annexed to: McLeansboro High School

School bldg. today: Dahlgren Elementary School (K - 6)

Dahlgren HS team nickname: the "Bulldogs"

Team colors: Purple & White

School Fight Song: unavailable

Dahlgren "New" Gymnasium 2011

Courtesy of James Horaz

Dahlgren HS Original Gym & Opera House - 2011

Courtesy of James Horaz

Athletics

Dahlgren High School definitely offered boys basketball. Track and baseball were probably offered as well. We are not sure if the school was open when girls sports were required to be added to the school curriculum. The school competed in the Little Egyptian Conference. We are searching for the Dahlgren fight song. Team records and coaches names of other Dahlgren HS teams are also being sought.

Gym Admission Prices

James Horaz

Dahlgren Gym/Opera House Projection Booth

James Horaz

Dahlgren Gym/Opera House Ticket Booth

Submitted by James Horaz

Dahlgren Gym/Opera House Staircase

James Horaz

Boys Basketball

The Dahlgren High School boys basketball team had a nice run in the late 1950s and early 1960s. District Championships were won in 1958, 1962, and 1963. Unfortunately this is all of the current information we have available. We are hopeful an area resident can provide some of the better team records and coaches names of these and other great DHS teams. To view photos of several Dahlgren HIgh School basketball teams and other Dahlgren vintage photos, check out the website address of http://www.carolyar.com/Illinois/Photos/Schools/HamCo.htm as found for us by our good friend Jamie Driskill.

1940-41 11 - 6 Coach's name unavailable

1957-58 19 - 6 District Champions Coach Ronald McMorris

1959-60 Coach Wayne Arnold

1960-61 Coach Wayne Arnold

1961-62 District Champions Coach Wayne Arnold

1962-63 District Champions Coach Q. Sullins

District Champions of 1961-62

Submitted by Wayne Arnold

Gym/Opera House Wood Burning Heater

James Horaz

MEMORIES

From Howard Allen as told by James Horaz:

"The basketball team played on the second floor of a block of buildings in town. This was before the gym was built. Mr. Allen's father owned one of the stores below the gym. Howard informs me that the buildings are still there. I would LOVE to find someone to allow me into the old second floor of the buildings to snap a few photos of the old gym. If there's anyting left. He said the gym was heated by a huge wood burner on each side of the gym. He also said it was a miracle that nobody died up there considering the heating arrangments. It sound like an interesting situation back then!"

Dahlgren Baseball Dugout 2011

James Horaz

Dahlgren Baseball Backstop

James Horaz

Gym/Opera House Stairway to Gallery

Jamers Horaz

Seeking More Information

If you have more Information about Dahlgren High School, especially win-loss records and other great teams and memories you would like to share please e-mail this web site at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illiinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Dahlgren HS Gym, Science, Home Ec., & Cafeteria

Submitted by Jamie Driskill

Dahlbren High School Complex

Courtesy of Jamie Driskill

Dahlgren High School 1925 Tornado Damage

Submitted by Howard Allen