Calhoun High School "Wildcats"

Calhoun High School Building 1946

Submitted by Lisa Leslie

The History of Calhoun High School

Calhoun (population 222) is located in lower-eastern (some might say southeastern) Illinois in the southeastern quarter of Richland County. The county road of E. Calhoun Lane (County Highway 7) is the main roadway to Calhoun. It connects Calhoun with Illinois Route 130 dtwo miles to the west. The Indiana Hi-Rail Railroad runs by the west side of town as well.

Calhoun Store Building 1946

Submitted by Lisa Leslie

Calhoun Town Main Street 1946

Submitted by Lisa Leslie

The history of the town of Calhoun and its former school system are in need of research. Jerry Michels advises us that a high school curriculum for the kids of Calhoun and the surrounding farm lands was set in place in 1912. The high school served the community for 35 years. The late 1940s brought an end to several small school districts in Illinois due to legislative actions. It was in 1947 that the services of the Calhoun High School district were discontinued. The kids of Calhoun then continued their education at nearby Olney. We are not certain if the Calhoun district provided classes for the grade school kids for a time after the high school closed or not.

The fate of the Calhoun High School building is a good one. The building now serves as the Calhoun Civic Center.

Calhoun High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1912

Year closed: 1947

Consolidated to: Olney High School

Calhoun HS team nickname: the "Wildcats"

Calhoun HS team colors: Orange & Black

Calhoun HS Fight Song: unavailable

Calhoun High School Gym 1946

Submitted by Lisa Leslie

Athletics and Extra Curricular Activities

We are certain that Calhoun High School competed in boys basketball. It is quite possible that baseball and track were part of the athletic program as well. Currently we do not have any team records or coach's names to share with you on this page.

We are also certain that, like many small schools, the folks of Calhoun valued a good, well-rounded education for their children..We are confident that band, chorus, and several club activites were offered to the children who attended Calhoun High. If you have any of this information to share with us, please follow the directions below.

Calhoun First Team Basketball 1946

Submitted by Lisa Leslie

MEMORIES

From Harold Lame:

"I read your entry on Calhoun High School wondering if the school closed at consolidation time in about 1948. Grades 1-8 were there in1953 when I was in the 6th grade. Mr. Earl Holtz was the 5-6th grade teacher."

Calhoun HS Activities 1946

Submitted by Lisa Leslie

We Need Your Assistance...

...in researching the history and accomplishments attained by the Calhoun residents and their former high school. If you have a photo of the former high school building, or any information you would like to see added to this page, please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also send items to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Calhoun HS Juniors 1946