The History of Broughton High School
Broughton (population 192) is located in the far southern portion of Illinois in southeastern
Hamilton County. Illinois Route 142 is the main roadway to and from Broughton. County Highway 11 passes through town
from east to west as well. Broughton is about 5 blocks long and five blocks wide. The town sits in my favorite township
name, Mayberry Township.The North Fork of the Saline River runs about a
mile east of the town.
Our good friend and fan of the Glory Days website, Gerry
Halpin, provided the following information regaring the town history of Broughton and its former high school:
Broughton began as Rectorville
in 1857. A few years later, town was relocated a mile north when the L & N railroad came through that spot.
The Gholson website listed above has much information and many pictures of Broughton.
Broughton had a high school
from about 1918 to 1947. This may have been a 4-year high school for at least part of this time. An all-school
photo from around 1920 shows 35 students; another photo from 1945 shows about the same number.
The original wooden Broughton
school burned in 1930, and was replaced by a larger brick building. After the high school was closed, the grade
school continued in Broughton until at least 1969.
The 1929 Broughton gymnasium was a wooden building. The gym was covered with red
tar-paper siding with a brick pattern (“ Missouri brick”). After the school was closed, the school, gym and 6 acres were sold at auction
in January 1970. The school (except for the cafeteria) was torn down a few years later, but the gym was remodeled into
a house and is still standing.
Broughton students today attend
school as part of the Eldorado School District."
Broughton High School
Quick Facts
Year opened:
1918
Year closed:
1947
Consolidated to: Eldorado
High School
School yearbook:
The Beacon
Broughton HS team nickname:
the "Wolves"
Broughton HS team uniform colors:
Black & Gold
School Fight Song:
unavailable
