The History of Roscoe High School
Roscoe (population 6,244) is located in far north-central Illinois in the northeast portion of Winnebago
County. Roscoe is a about ten miles north of downtown Rockford and four miles south of the Wisconsin border.
Illinois Route 251 runs through town and Interstate Highway 39/90 passes by the east side of town. The Rock River borders
the Roscoe's west side. The South Kinnikinnick Creek flows through the north side of town.
A brief but informative history of the town can be viewed on its official website located at http://www.villageofroscoe.com/index.html . In summary the town was established in 1835 along the banks of the Rock River. It was named
after one of the early settlers. The town benefitted in the early 1900s from the establishment of the Rockford,
Beloit & Janesville Railroad which passed through town. This service ceased in 1930, taking with it a lot of
Roscoe's businesses. The town was not officially incorporated until 1965. It has enjoyed
immense growth since then, especially in recent years.
We believe that Roscoe residents established a high school for its children by the late 1800s. Our
good friend Roberta VanBriesen provided research which shows that Roscoe High School was four-year
institution until 1912. It then continued as a two or three-year high school for nine more years. In 1921
the Roscoe residents agreed to consolidate their high school efforts with Rockton and became a part of the Hononegah School
District.
The Roscoe school building was then used as a grade school for the Hononegah School District until
a tornado heavily damaged the upper story of the building in 1944. The lower story was
saved and incorporated into a local factory. The shell of the lower section of the school
including its limestone foundation remains, and additions have been built around
it.
Roscoe today supports several elementary schools
covering grades K - 8.
Roscoe High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
late 1800s?
Year 4-year HS ceased:
1912
Year all HS classes ceased: 1921
Consolidated
to:
Hononegah School District (Rockton)
School team nickname:
unavailable
School team colors:
unavailable
School Fight Song:
unavailable
