The History of Dover Academy
Dover (population 172) is located in the central area of Bureau County in north-central
Illinois. U.S. Route 34 is the main roadway to and from Dover, connecting the town to nearby Princeton, just 5 miles
to the southwest. According to the webaddress of http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/Township/DoverTwp.html , Dover was "laid out" in 1837 and originally named Livingston. The name was later to changed to Dover. The town
was officially incorporated in 1873.
This same Geneology Trails web address (listed above) provides the following information on the Dover
Academy:
Dover citizens gathered and made the decision to create an academy in their town. The townspeople agreed
to construct a building to house the academy. The cost of the building would be nearly $5,100 and would be named Dover
Institute. The Dover Institute began in May of 1858. It was officially incorporated in 1859 and named the Dover Academy.
The school ran from 1858 through 1867 before ending its usage as a school. In 1876 a third story was added and the school
re-opened. After two more years of operation the school eventually closed once more. The building would still see itself used
for education purposes once again, as school opened yet again in 1881. The third and final version of the school closed 1887.
The building lied dormant until 1901, when it was purchased by the Deaconness Association of the Congregational
Church. It's fate is a sad one, as it was burned to the ground in 1919. A new public school was since built on these grounds.
The
Dover Academy is included on the Glory Days site for the following reasons:
*There were very few high schools
established in the 1850s. Most students went to 8th grade and then to the working world.
*Dover Academy allowed
students to continue their education without having to travel far to do so.
*The term "high school" was not likely
utilized at that time. Academy or Institute was a more common term for any school after the 8th grade.
If you have any further information on Dover Academy or the town of Dover itself, please contact us
at eganann@sbcglobal.net. A photo of the building is especially being sought.
High school aged children of Dover today attend Princeton High School.
Dover Academy Quick Facts
Year opened:
1858
Year first closed: 1867
Year re-opened: 1876
Year closed as a school: 1878
No Athletics Offered
Need Your Help
We are hopeful an area "buff" will fill in the open areas regarding the history and accomplishments of Dover
Academy. If you have any information you can offer please complete a Guest Commentary Form. We would really
like to share a photo of the old school building to share on this page. You can e-mail us photos and information at
ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva Ave.
Chicago, Il. 60631
