La Harpe High School "Eagles"

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La Harpe High School Building Complex
laharpehsbldg.jpg
http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/hancock/laharpe/sch_laharpe.html

La Harpe High School Entrance
laharpecommhsdav.jpg
http://www.hancock.k12.il.us/laharpe/

The History of La Harpe High School
 
La Harpe (population 1,385) is located in upper-western Illinois in the northeastern corner of Hancock County.  The Illinois Routes of 9 and 94 intersect on the western edge of the town. The Railroad lines of Keokuk Junction and Toledo, Peoria, & Western also meet in La Harpe.  The Mississippi River flows about 10 miles to the west of town.  Macomb is located about 15 miles to the southeast of La Harpe.
 
An excellent history of the town of La Harpe can be viewed at http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/hancock/laharpe/history_laharpe.html. In summary the article states the following:
 
The area of La Harpe was first explored in the early 1700s by a French Explorer named Bernard de LaHarpe.  In the 1830s the town was established and was initially named Franklin.  When the townspeople were advised that Franklin was a name already used by another town in Illinois, it was suggested to name the town La Harpe after the French explorer.  
 
The town of La Harpe was chartered in 1859.  It welcomed a railroad line in 1867, a new fire truck in 1888, and a new library in 1905.

La Harpe Grade School Building - First HS Bldg.?
laharpegsbldg.jpg

A website regarding La Harpe School District is found at http://www.hancock.k12.il.us/laharpe/.  The school was likely founded in the late 1800s.  The high school has served the community and surrounding farm families for over 100 years.  It was in the early 2000s that talks of consolidation arose.
 
La Harpe residents agreed to a consolidation effort with Carthage and Dallas City.  The effort would create the Illini West School District.  Illini West High School will be located in Carthage.  This consolidation effort was realized at the end of the 2006-07 school year, causing the end of the era of La Harpe High School.      
 
For more historical information on La Harpe and its former high school, check out the Wikipedia web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Harpe,_Illinois .
 
To view exerpts from "The Quill Newspaper" regarding La Harpe HS that were recorded during the school's final month check out the web address of
 
La Harpe High School Quick Facts
 
Year opened:                                  1898
Year closed:                                    2007
Number of graduates final year:  23
Consolidated to:                             Illini West School District (Carthage)
LaHarpe HS team nickname:       the "Eagles"
LaHarpe HS team colors:             Purple & Gold
School Fight Song:                        "We're Loyal To You La Harpe High"
                                                                 Provided by Jean Dougherty
 
We're loyal to you La Harpe High 
We're purple and gold La Harpe High 
We'll back you to stand 
We’re the best in the land 
For we know you can stand, La Harpe High!
 
RAH! RAH!

So do all things right La Harpe High 
Take all things in sight La Harpe High 
Our team is our fame protector 
On! boys, for we expect a 
Victory from you La Harpe High!

Rah! Rah!

ATHLETICS
 
The La Harpe High School Eagles had some memorable seasons in several different sports. The boys competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track.  The girls competed in softball, volleyball, basketball, and track.  On the academic side the kids of La Harpe High School faired well in Speech Sweepstakes, Individual Events, and the Scholastic Bowl competitions.
 
We do need several season records and coach's names from each sport.  We would also like to share information regarding the school's fight song.
 
BOYS BASEBALL
 
The boys of the baseball diamond had four seasons in which they earned some hardware in the IHSA State Tournament. Regional titles were won in 1997, 2002, 2004, and 2006.  Former Coach Todd Porter tells us of the co-ops that La Harpe High School was a part of during the 1990s and 2000s:
 
"I was the varsity baseball coach for the LaHarpe-Northwestern Thunder from 1992-2003, which was the last year that co-op existed.  I was also the varsity coach for what then became the LaHarpe-West Prairie Cyclones from 2004-2006."
 
As you can tell by looking at the records below, Coach Porter's teams had some incredible seasons. Coach Porter has carried on his winning tradition as the current head coach of Carthage Illini West High School.
 
1992-LH/NW     7 - 9                                            Coach Todd Porter
1993-LH/NW     8 - 4                                            Coach Todd Porter 
1994-LH/NW     9 - 8                                            Coach Todd Porter 
1995-LH/NW   16 - 8                                            Coach Todd Porter 
1996-LH/NW   18 - 2                                            Coach Todd Porter
 
1997-LH/NW   20 - 6     Regional Champions      Coach Todd Porter
 
1998-LH/NW   14 - 6                                            Coach Todd Porter 
1999-LH/NW   22 - 7                                            Coach Todd Porter 
2000-LH/NW   22 - 7                                            Coach Todd Porter 
2001-LH/NW   27 - 6                                            Coach Todd Porter 
 
2002-LH/NW   27 - 4    Regional Champions       Coach Todd Porter
   
2003-LH/NW     8 - 17                                          Coach Todd Porter
   
2004-LH/WP   25 - 8    Regional Champions       Coach Todd Porter
  
2005-LH/WP   19 - 6                                            Coach Todd Porter
  
2006-LH/WP   18 - 9    Regional Champions       Coach Todd Porter
 
GIRLS SOFTBALL
 
The lady Eagles earned a trophy for their school as well.  The girls of 1975-76 earned a Regional title trophy for the school.  Team record and coach's name of this and other softball teams at LCHS are needed.
 
1975-76       Regional Champions
 
BOYS BASKETBALL
 
The boys of the hardwood court earned three Regional titles in a very tough basketball area.  One of the titles was won in the original one-class IHSA Tournament. Several scores involving La Harpe High School while participating in the annual IHSA Tournament were located on a website titled "Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores". These scores are printed below.  Again, coach's names and team records are needed to help make this section complete.
 
1922-23 through 1932-33  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
   
1933-34          Macomb District Tournament                         Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Augusta 48-34
                          Augusta won District Tournament
  
1934-35  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
  
1935-36          Carthage District Tournament                        Coach's name & record needed
                          1st Rd lost to Burnside 44-22
                          Burnside won District Tournament
  
1936-37  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
1937-38  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
  
1938-39          Carthage District Tournament                        Coach's name & record needed
                          1st Rd lost to Bowen 38-23
                          Bowen lost title game to Hamilton
  
1939-40  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
1940-41  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
    
1941-42          Carthage Regional Tournament                    Coach's name & record needed
                          1st Rd lost to Plymouth 22-21
                          Plymouth lost in semi-final round
     
1942-43          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Dallas City 35-17
                         Dallas City won Regional Tournament    
          
1943-44  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
              
1944-45          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Dallas City 48-29
                         Dallas City won Regional Tournament 
   
1945-46          Carthage Regional Champions!                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd Beat Dallas City 42-33
                         Semi-final Beat Elvaston 34-24
                         Title Game Beat Warsaw 32-20
                         Macomb Sectional Tournament
                         Semi-final lost to Canton 54-31
                         Canton lost title game to Galesburg
  
1946-47          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Hamilton 40-25
                         Hamilton lost title game to Dallas City
    
1947-48          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Dallas City 55-27
                         Dallas City lost title game to Carthage
  
1948-49          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Dallas City 56-29
                         Dallas City won Regional Tourney over Hamilton 
         
1949-50          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Carthage 59-38
                         Carthage won Regional Tournament over Bowen
  
1950-51          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Plymouth 74-40
                          Plymouth lost title game to Bowen
  
1951-52   8-15   Carthage Regional Tournament                Coach Bob Jones
                             1st Rd lost to Carthage 66-26
                              Carthage lost in semi-final round
  
1952-53          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Bowen 71-39
                         Bowen won Regional over Carthage
  
1953-54          Carthage Regional Runner-up                        Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd Beat Hamilton 48-31
                         Semi-final Beat Augusta 44-40
                         Title Game lost to Bowen 48-36
  
1954-55          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Warsaw 53-44
                          Warsaw lost in semi-final round
          
1955-56          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Augusta 69-62
                         Augusta lost in title game
   
1956-57          Hamilton Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Carthage 61-45
                         Carthage lost title game to Plymouth
  
1957-58          Warsaw Regional Tournament                       Coach Evemeyer 
                         1st Rd lost to Warsaw 82-35
                         Warsaw beat Carthage for title    
       
1958-59          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Warsaw 70-40
                         Warsaw beat Carthage for title
   
1959-60  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
  
1960-61          LaHarpe Regional Tournament                      Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Warsaw 67-63
                         Warsaw lost in semi-final round
  
1961-62          Hamilton Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Hamilton 62-47
                          Hamilton lost to Carthage in title game
  
1962-63          Dallas City Regional Tournament                  Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Warsaw 56-45
                         Warsaw beat Dallas City for title
1963-64          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Warsaw 70-51
                         Warsaw beat Dallas City for title
  
1964-65  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
 
1965-66          Dallas City Regional Runner-up                     Coach's name & record needed
                         Title Game lost to Hamilton 72-56
  
1966-67          LaHarpe Regional Runner-up                         Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd Beat Carthage 52-42
                         Semi-final Beat Hamilton 62-53
                         Title Game lost to Dallas City 58-57 (2 O/Ts)
   
1967-68          Carthage Regional Tournament                     Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Hamilton 68-37
                         Hamilton lost title game to Carthage
  
1968-69  18-7    Hamilton Regional Tournament                Coach Logan
                             1st Rd lost to Augusta 63-53
                             Augusta lost in semi-final round
   
1969-70          Dallas City Regional Tournament                  Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Carthage 57-40
                         Carthage lost title game to Warsaw
  
1970-71         LaHarpe Regional Tournament                      Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Carthage 80-50
                         Carthage lost to Hamilton in title game
   
1971-72         Hamilton Class 'A' Regional Tournament      Coach's name & record needed
                         1st Rd lost to Augusta SE 47-40
                         Augusta won Regional Title over Hamilton
   
1972-73  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' name needed.  
     
1973-74  23-3   Regional Champions                                Coach Steve Mitchell
                         Title Game Beat Nauvoo-Colusa 68-59
                         Quincy Sectional Tournament
                         1st Rd lost to Quincy Catholic Boys 77-63
                         Quincy Catholic Boys won Sectional over Havana
                         Quincy Catholic Boys placed 4th at State Tourney
  
1974-75  through 1981-82  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' name needed.  
            
1982-83          Regional Champions                                       Coach's name & record needed
                          Regional Scores Needed
                          Lewistown Sectional Tournament
                          Semi-final lost to Beardstown 78-50
                          Beardstown lost title game to Havana
                          Havana placed 4th at State Tournament
  
1983-84 through 2000-01  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.  
  
2001-02                                                                                        Coach David Billitor (partial season 2 - 7)
  
2001-02 through 2006-07  Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
   
*LaHarpe High School closed after the 2006-07 school year to join the Carthage Illini West School District.
             
 
GIRLS BASKETBALL
 
The girls did not win any IHSA tourney hardware, but we are confident there were some nice seasons in the school's history.  Coach Jim Cox led the charge in the late 1980s.  More team records and coach's names are needed to complete the history of this sport for La Harpe High School.
 
1987-88    6 - 16    Coach Jim Cox
1988-89    2 - 20    Coach Jim Cox  
 
BOYS FOOTBALL
 
The football program at La Harpe High School ventured into the IHSA State football playoffs twice in the late 1980s.  Coach Tim Lafferty led the grid iron heroes from at least 1986 through 1991.  We know that the La Harpe boys played football through the close of the school as they were part of the West Prairie co-op between LHS and Sciota Northwestern.  Any further information on this program is welcome. 
 
1951-52    5 - 2 - 1                                                       Coach Bob Jones                        
1957-58                                                                         Coach Don Corry
1968-69    3 - 4 - 1                                                       Coach Ray Downs
1985-86    5 - 4                                                             (Coach's name needed)
    
1986-87    6 - 4       IHSA Class 1A Qualifier          Coach Tim Lafferty
                             Lost to Warsaw 16 - 8
 
1987-88    6 - 4       IHSA Ciass 1A Qualifier          Coach Tim Lafferty
                             Lost to Roseville  20 - 0
 
1988-89    0 - 9                                                      Coach Tim Lafferty
1989-90    0 - 9                                                      Coach Tim Lafferty
1990-91    2 - 7                                                      Coach Tim Lafferty
1991-92    3 - 6                                                      Coach Tim Lafferty
 
We are told that La Harpe High School co-oped with with Sciota Northwestern and were known as the "Thunder" in football through the consolidation of Northwestern and Colchester (who formed the West Prairie School District).  The West Prairie - La Harpe co-op was then called the "Cyclones".
 
As a part of this co-op arrangement, the La Harpe folks enjoyed some incredible football success, including SECOND place finishes in the IHSA State Finals in 1996 and 2000!
 
La Harpe football results as part of the co-op with Sciota Northwestern and West Prairie schools:
 
As Sciota Northwestern - La Harpe "Thunder":
 
1992-95                                                                        Coach Tim Lafferty

1995-96   10 - 2      Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs       Coach Tim Lafferty
                             Elite 8 Finalist
                             Beat Stronghurst Southern 34 - 8
                             Beat Flanagan 34 - 8
                             Lost to Carthage 14 - 0
                             Carthage State Champions
 
1996-97   13 - 1      Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs       Coach Tim Lafferty
                             TEAM FINISHED SECOND IN STATE!!
                             Beat ROWVA  26 - 0
                             Beat Biggsville Union 41 - 0
                             Beat Monmouth Warren 20 - 13
                             Beat Greenfield  14 - 10
                             Lost to Chenoa 35 - 28   
 
1997-98     9 - 1      Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs       Coach Tim Lafferty
                             Undefeated Regular Season
                             Lost to Villa Grove 14 - 9
 
1998-99     7 - 3      Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs       Coach Tim Lafferty
                             Lost to Sterling Newman 35 - 8
                             Newman finished 2ND   
 
1999-00   10 - 2      Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs       Coach Tim Lafferty
                             Elite 8 Finalist
                             Beat Forreston 30 - 8
                             Beat Walter Lutheran 36 - 35 (O/T)
                             Lost to Fulton 34 - 7  
 
2000-01   13 - 1      Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs       Coach Tim Lafferty
                             Undefeated Regular Season
                             TEAM FINISHED SECOND IN STATE!!
                             Beat Yorkwood 39 - 8
                             Beat Forreston 32 - 14
                             Beat Lexington 35 - 7
                             Beat East Dubuque  23 - 16
                             Lost to Carthage 14 - 0 
 
2001-02   11 - 1      Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs       Coach Tim Lafferty
                             Undefeated Regular Season
                             Elite 8 Finalist
                             Beat Iroquois West 42 - 0
                             Beat Tuscola 28 - 15
                             Lost to Moweaqua 26 - 18
                             Moweaqua Finished 2ND  
 
2002-03   10 - 2      Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs       Coach Tim Lafferty
                             Elite 8 Finalist
                             Beat Virginia 50 - 6
                             Beat Beardstown 38 - 13
                             Lost to Carthage 30 - 8
                             Carthage Finished 2ND
 
As West Prairie-La Harpe Cyclones:
 
2003-04   9 - 2      Qualified for Class 3A Playoffs         Coach Tim Lafferty
                           Beat Petersburg PORTA  42 - 20
                           Lost to Tolono 21 - 14
 
2005-06   7 - 3      Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs         Coach Tim Lafferty
                           Lost to Bushnell-Prairie City 38 - 27  
 
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
 
One District title and two Regional Championships were the highlights of the lady netters program.  This includes one great "last hurrah" as the Cyclones won the last Regional title in the school's history in the school's final year of existence.  Team records and coach's names of these and other great Eagle volleyball teams are needed.
 
1981-82            District Champions 
1997-98            Regional Champions 
2006-07            Regional Champions
 
BOYS TRACK & FIELD
 
The Eagle thin clads had four boys earn medals at the IHSA State Track meet.  Two of those individuals, a gentleman named Claycomb and Gene Maynard, earned Gold Medals!  In fact, Gene Maynard earned his under the old one-class system, earning him the unquestionable state championship in his event, the 880 Yard Run !! 
 
 
1921B     Individual Medalists
              Claycomb              440 Yard Dash      State Champion!!
              Hancock                100 Yard Dash      4TH Place 
              Nelson                   Pole Vault            4TH Place
 
1949        Gene Maynard      880 Yard Run       3RD Place
1950        Gene Maynard      880 Yard Run       State Champion!!
 
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
 
The Eagle lady tracksters had one individual medal at the IHSA State Meet.  Jaimie Jones earned medals in FOUR consecutive trips to the State Finals in her specialty, the high jump!!  In her junior and senior years Jamie captured the IHSA Class 'A' STATE CHAMPIONSHIP as part of the Northwestern-LaHarpe Girls Track Coop effort!! 
 
1995A         Jaime Jones          High Jump          3RD Place
1996A         Jaime Jones          High Jump          2ND Place
1997A         Jamie Jones          High Jump          STATE CHAMPION!!
1998A         Jamie Jones          High Jump          STATE CHAMPION!!
 
OTHER EXTRA-CURRICULAR COMPETITIONS
 
The IHSA also offers competition in non-sporting events as well.  La Harpe High School faired well, bringing home hardware in the "Speech Individual Events", "Speech Sweepstakes", and "Scholastic Bowl" competitions!!!! 
 
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
 
1958    Individual Medalist  -  Delbert Dahl      After Dinner       4TH Place
 
1959    Individual Medalist  -  Karen Moyes     After Dinner       3RD Place
 
1960    Individual Medalist  -  Karen Moyes     Orat. Declam.     5TH Place
 
1960-61   Team Won District and Sectional Championships!!
 
1961-62   Team Won District Championship
 
1961    Individual Medalist  -  David Louden   Orig. Comedy    3RD Place
 
1968-69   Team Won Sectional Championship
 
1969    Individual Medalist  -  Jackie Howd     Orat. Declam.    3RD Place
 
SCHOLASTIC BOWL
 
1999-00   24 - 4   Team Place FOURTH in IHSA Competition!!   Coach Barbara Ramsey
                          Team Won Sectional Championship
 
SPEECH SWEEPSTAKES
 
1953-54   Team Won District Championship

1957-58   Team Won District Championship

1959-60   Team Won District and Sectional Championship
 
LA HARPE HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
 
*Charlie Apt -  Principal 1984-85 to 2003-04
 
We Are Seeking Further Information...
 
...regarding La Harpe High School's Cyclones.  If you can help us out please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. We are especially looking for a photo of the school building. You may also write us at:
 
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il.  60631

La Harpe High School Building Entrance Letters
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