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| Willow Hill High School |
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| Courtesy of George Piersall |
| Willow Hill Grade School Building 1986 |
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| Courtesy of Rhonda and Treca (Chapman) Swisher |
The History of Willow Hill High School
Willow Hill (population 250) is located in southeastern Illinois in the east-central portion of Jasper County.
Illinois Route 49 travels through Willow Hill and connects it to Illinois Route 33 just one mile to the north. The Illinois
Central Gulf Railroad passes by the north side of town. The Hickory Creek flows through the northeast site of town as
well. The town, also known as the "W.H.", is located about 30 miles southeast of Effingham.
The history of Willow Hill and its former school system are in need of research. An article found while
scanning the Genealogy Trails web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/jasper/towns.html had this listing from 1884 for what I believe is the original Willow Hill:
"New Liberty - (Post office Willow Hill), in Willow Hill Township, was laid
out August, 1854, and is seven and one-half miles due east of Newton, and is next in size to Saint Marie. It is a lively town,
as in the last eighteen months the S., E. & S.E.R.R. and D., O. & O. R.R.R. have been built through the township,
cross each other at the north edge of the town, which has given it new life. The town now has three stores keeping a good
general stock of merchandise, one drug store, one grocery store, one hardware store, three restaurants, two blacksmith shops,
three grain and flour dealers, one stock and grain dealer, two farming implement dealers, one butcher, one shoe maker, one
milliner, one hotel, one good flouring mill, one carpenter and undertaker, one house carpenter, one police magistrate, two
justices of the peace, a post-office, two depots and express offices, three physicians, and three hundred inhabitants, two
churches, and one nice two-story brick schoolhouse. The town has doubled its inhabitants in two years, and
they say all they want now is room, and to be let alone and where will they be in two years more?"
We believe that Willow Hill High School existed at least into the late 1940s, possibly a while longer.
At sopme point Willow Hill residents agreed to close their high school and send the children to nearby Newton to continue
their education. Willow Hill is still host to an elementary school for the Newton school district.
There was recently a reunion for the Willow High School alumni
Willow Hill High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
late 1800s
Year closed:
late 1940s?
Consolidated to:
Newton High School
Willow Hill HS team nickname: unavailable
Willow Hill HS team colors: unavailable
School Fight Song:
unavailable
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Athletics and Extra-Curriculars
We believe that the Willow Hill High School boys competed in basketball, football, and possibly baseball and track
as well. Other organizations and opportunities such as band, chorus, FFA, FHA, ect., may have been offered as well.
We are in need of several "quick facts" items and any information others would like to share with us.
Football
The photo below is of the WIllow Hill High School football team taken in the 1930s. Players names and team record
are needed.
| Willow Hill HS Football Team - 1930s |
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Basketball
1921-22
Olney District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.
1st Rd Beat Browns 18-6
2nd Rd Score Needed
Semi-Final lost to Louisville 50-10
Olney beat Louisville in title game.
1922-23 through 1932-33 postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
1933-34 Robinson
District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Palestine 51-9
Oblong beat Hutsonville in title game
1934-35 Newton
District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Palestine 67-15
Oblong beat Palestine in title game
1935-36 Casey
District Tournament Coach's name & record needed.
*1st Rd lost to Charleston Teachers College 41-8
Charleston TC beat Martinsville in title game
*Final score located on this website.
Memories and Information
From Rhonda:
"I live in Willow Hill, and have all my life (all 44 years!). I went
to the school building in the picture. There's a newer one beside it (not 'new', just 'newer'). I had kindergarten in
the one in the photo, 1-4 in the newer one,and 5,6,7 in the one in the photo. Just before I went in the 8th grade they tore
it down, which would have been 1978.
The OLD Willow Hill School building still stands (it's
older than the one in your photo). It's just down the road from the present school. My grandmother went to it,and if she were
alive today,she would be in her 90's.
A few different families have made a home out of it,but it's probably
not going to last a whole lot longer.
I've seen it for years,because it's right across the road from
the church I've went to all my life-Salem Missionary Baptist Church. If you drove right through
the middle of town, you would see it.
If you don't live anywhere near here, I can take some pictures,and e-mail
them to you of the old school building. It's only a block and a half from
my house! I don't know if it would be better after some of the leaves fall or not,because there are a lot of big trees
close to the building.
The link you gave to click for Willow
Hill School photos were ones took in front of the OLD 'still standing' school building. I sent those photos
to that website. They belonged to my grandmother. She was in each one."
Seeking More Information
If you have ANY more information regarding the great history of Willow Hill and its educational past please
take the time to share it with us. We are especially hopeful to share a photo of the old High School building.
Photos and information can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631
| Catt Country Grade School NEar Willow Hill 1925 |
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| Submitted by Doris Edings |
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