Manhattan High School
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The History of Manhattan High School
 
Manhattan (population 6,071) is located in northeastern Illinois in the south-central portion of Will County.  U.S. Route 52 is the main roadway leading to and from town. Manhattan sits just seven miles southeast of downtown Joliet.  The town is starting to experience the incredible outward growth of the Chicago area with new houses being built in the area on a monthly basis.  According to the town's website, http://www.villageofmanhattan.org/ , as many as 250 new homes are being built in the city limits for the past 4 years! The previously mentioned website also provides a brief history of the town of Manhattan. The town was incorporated in 1886.
 
Educational beginnings occurred in the village in 1852. In 1902, a two-story brick building was erected, and an addition to that building was constructed in 1915. That addition housed the first high school classes at the Manhattan School. 

Only 2 years of high school education were offered at Manhattan, and enrollment may have never have exceeded over 50 students. We know that during the 1938-39 school year, there were only eight freshmen and seven sophomores. Commencements for those graduating after their sophomore year were held at the Hoerrman Theatre downtown (now an apartment complex). 

In 1942, the school dropped high school education, and high school-aged students were sent to Joliet High School (about 10 miles north). This arrangement lasted until 1951 with the creation of the Lincoln-Way School District, headquartered in nearby New Lenox. 

High school-aged students residing in Manhattan currently attend Lincoln-Way Central High School.
 
The Manhattan High School building was torn down in 1964 and replaced with a newer structure at the same site. This school, Anna McDonald School, provides elementary-level education.

 
Manhattan High School Quick Facts
 
Year opened:                           1915
Year closed:                            1942
Consollidated to:                      Joliet School District, later Lincoln-Way School District
Manhattan HS team nickname: unavailable 
Manhattan HS team colors:      Blue and White
School Fight Song:                  unavailable
Athletics
 
According to the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) , Manhattan High School did complete with other schools in the sport of boys basketball. It is probable that baseball and track were offered as well. We are searching for the team mascot, uniform colors, season records, coach's names, and individual accomplishments of the athletes and teams in Manhattan High School history.
 
Boys Basketball
 
We are certain the Manhattan High School boys competed in boys basketball. Games were played in the Grange Hall on Jessie Street. The basketball teams experienced hard luck on the court, largely due to the school only being a 2-year one playing against much larger schools. That being noted, a dubious record held is held by one of the teams. 
 
According to the IHSA boys basketball record books (http://www.ihsa.org/activity/bkb/records/ateam.htm, Manhattan High School played in a District Tournament game against Harvey Thornton on February 27, 1936.  To say the least, this was an incredible mismatch.  Harvey Thornton was a school SEVERAL times larger than Manhattan. which at that time may have only been a two or three-year high school. Harvey Thornton won the state champioinship in 1933 and finished second in 1934 and 1935! The outcome was never in doubt in this one with Harvey Thornton taking the contest 125 - 8.  The game is considered one of the most lopsided contests in IHSA history, setting the following standards that still exist today (the number at the beginning in parenthesis is what number the game is all-time in this category):
 
MOST POINTS IN A HALF - ONE TEAM
[15.]  77, Harvey (Thornton) vs. Manhattan, Feb. 27, 1936 (district, 2nd half)
 
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY
[11.]  117, Harvey (Thornton) (125) vs. Manhattan (8), Feb. 27, 1936 (district)
 
We know this is a low-light in the school's history.  It is likely that Manhattan High School had some very proud moments in its short basketball history.  If you have any information to share regarding the Manhattan High School basketball program, please do not hesitate to contact us via the means listed at the end of this page. 
 
Extra-Curricular Activities
 
We would bet that many things were offered at Manhattan High School. School dances, plays, clubs, and academics were all probably a very integral part of the Manhattan High School experience.
 
Do You Wish To Share Information On This Page? 
 
We are especially interested in the missing items listed above in this article.  You can write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us via the U.S. Postal Service at:
 
IHSGD Website
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il.  60631