The 1911 building (pictured at the top of this page) served as Decatur High School (later renamed "Decatur
Senior High School") until the end of the 1956-57 school year. During this time period Decatur Senior High School was
Decatur's ONLY public high school.
The town of Decatur had experienced an incredible population boom which also caused the town to grow in
land area. Residents foresaw the need for the creation of four separate high school buildings located
strategically throughout the city. By 1957, the construction of Lakeview, Eisenhower, and MacArthur High Schools
were complete. It was also decided to change the name of Decatur Senior High School to Stephen Decatur High School. Stephen
Decatur High School classes continued to be held in the 1911 Decatur High School building.
The original Decatur High School building was eventually seen as outdated and a new building for Stephen
Decatur High School was built in 1975.
Ralph Whitsitt provided the following insight to the use of the original Decatur High School
building:
"The 1911 building (which my grandmother graduated from in 1927) was torn down in the late 1970's to make
way for the Decatur Civic Center, which now occupies
the downtown site. The columns from the facade of the old building were saved and were erected around a statue of Stephen
Decatur on the grounds of the Civic Center several years later."
Decatur Senior High School Quick Facts
Year HS classes started in Decatur: 1862
Year original Decatur HS building built: 1869
Year "new" Decatur HS building built: 1911
Year original HS building razed: 1929
Year Decatur Senior HS name changed: 1957
Name changed to: Stephen
Decatur High School
Year 1911 building closed as a HS: 1975
Decatur Senior HS team nickname: Up to
1945 the "Reds"
After
1945 the "Running Reds"
School team colors:
Red & White
School Fight Song: "Decatur
Loyalty Song"
(sung to the Northwestern University Fight Song Tune)
Go
you Decatur!
Break
right through that line --
With
your colors flying,
We
will cheer you all the time!
Rah!
Rah! Rah!
Go
you Decatur!
Fight
for victory.
Spread
far the fame
Of
our fair name and --
Go! Decatur!
Win that game!
Go! Decatur! Go!
Go! Decatur! Go!
Hit
'em High!
Hit 'em low!
Go! Decatur! Go!
