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| West Salem Public Grade & High School 1911 |
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| Submitted by Judy Loudermilk |
| West Salem School / Served as High School |
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| Yearbook of Carol Jane Orrel Andersen Tomblinson / Submitted by Sherry Whitman |
The History of West Salem High School
West Salem (population 1,001) is located in southeastern
Illinois in the northeastern portion of Edwards County. The town is situated on County Highway 3 about two miles east
of Illinois Route 130. The Indiana Hi-Rail Railroad runs through the west side of town.
West Salem was initiated by a group of Moravian settlers from the
town of Salem, North Carolina in the early 1840s. An influx of German settlers arrived in the area in
the late 1840s. West Salem was incorporated in 1857 as New Salem. Soon after its incorporation, it was determined that
Illinois had a New Salem already. The settlers decided upon West Salem as the alternative.
The first school in West Salem was established in 1850.A brick school
building was built in 1880. The school was added on to over the years to accommodate the many new students that began
there in the first half of the 1900s. In 1947 the school district was enhanced with the annexation of several smaller districts
in the area.
| West Salem Grade & High School 1950s |
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| Submitted by Judy Loudermilk |
A supporter of the Glory Days website, Donny
Knackmus, advises that West Salem High School was closed in 1960 along with Bone Gap and Browns high schools to join the Edwards School District in Albion. We also know from a
1953 West Salem HS yearbook reported by Sherry Whitman, that
it appears that a unit school district was established by Edwards County that allowed for the smaller
schools to remain open with all of the fourth year students attending their final year in Albion. Sherry
sent us the following information obtained from the "Echoes" yearbook: "I noticed that you are
looking for some information about the West Salem HS - a place my mother, father and step-father
all attended in the 1950s. My mother, Carol Jane Orrel Andersen Tomblinson,
passed away last year and packed away in her closet we came across her 1953 "Echoes" yearbook. Interestingly, this yearbook
is really a compiliation of several different schools and is a little difficult to follow
as not all grades are represented for all schools. The dedication reads as follows:
"To the
spirit of cooperation which has played such a great part in the success of the Edwards
County Unit, we dedicate this book. With all the persons working together in a friendly, cooperative way a
chain reaction is set up with possibilities of developing tremendous power not unlike the atomic bomb.
In the Edwards County School system this force has made it possible to pool the resources
of the county, with considerable territory from the surrounding counties, to give the youth
as well as adults of the area an education comparable to that provided in most areas of the state.
This is the fifth year of existence of the Edwards County Unit, and its ever increasing quality of education has
been made possible by the excellent cooperation of parents, teachers, administrators, board
members, and pupils."
Sherry Whitman provided the following information about he history
of West Salem High School as well: "I also looked at my mother's book titled "A History of Edwards County, Illinois, Volume
One" published in 1980. This book lists most of the schools in the county, including
pictures. According to the book in the section titled "High Schools" it states: "In West Salem, the
Moravian Church started a high school on 8 December 1856 in a large two-story brick building
on the south side of the square. The boys attended the morning session and the girls the afternoon session. In November 1919 a county-wide election was held
to establish community high schools in the county. The West Salem disrict voted 303 to
305 in favor. District No. 2 was established in the West Salem area, they rented space from the grade school, which made it
necessary to build two more frame classrooms. The first basketball games were played outside,
but later the teams moved to a low-ceiling room above Ficher's Store. Sill later a gym
was constructed on the northwest corner of the public square making it necessary for physical
education students to go uptown for classes. Eventually all high school students from West Salem
were transported to the Edwards County Senior High in Albion."
It appears the timeline for West Salem supporting high school curriculum
in their school district is as follows: - 1856 - West Salem High
School established
- 1948 - West Salem High School as independent, 4-year high school ceased. Consolidation with
Albion to for Edwards County High School District established.
- 1949 - West Salem High School offers classes for Freshman,
Sophomores, and Juniors. Seniors attend school in Albion.
- 1954 - West Salem High School offers classes for Freshmen
and Sophomores. The Junior and Senior classes attend high school in Albion.
- 1960 - West Salem discontinues all high
school courses. All high school-aged students attend school in Albion. West Salem Grade School for grades K-8 continues.
West Salem continues to support a Grade School for grades K - 8 in town.
| West Salem Grade School 2008 |
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| Submitted by Judy Loudermilk |
West Salem High School "Quick Facts" Year
opened: 1856 Year
4-year HS ceased: 1948 Year
3-year HS ceased: 1954 Year 2-year HS closed: 1960 Consolidated to:
(Albion) Edwards County High School WSHS team nickname: possibly
the "Warriors" WSHS team colors: Maroon & White School
Fight Song: "On West Salem"
"On Wisconsin" Fight Song Tune
Lyrics provided by Sherry Whitman
Lyrics located in the yearbook of Carol Jane Orrel Andersen Tomblinson
| West Salem High School Cheerleading Patch 1953 |
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| Worn by Carol Jane Orrel Andersen Tomblinson / Submitted by Sherry Whitman |
On West Salem, On West Salem, Tear right down the floor. Throw
the ball right through the circle Baskets
one or more. Rah, Rah, Rah! On West Salem, On West Salem, Fight
on for your fame. Fight fellows, fight, fight, fight, And win the game. (Repeat) 15 Rahs for West Salem
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Athletics
We are certain that the West Salem High School boys competed against other schools in the area in the
sport of basketball. It is quite possible that basetball and track were offered as well. School team nickname,
uniform colors, fight song lyrics, coach's names, and team records are all items were are seeking to share on this page.
Boys Basketball
The West Salem High School "Warriors" basketball program enjoyed some very successful seasons. Though no hardware
was won in the IHSA State Tournament, we did locate some scores from District and Regional tournaments that involved WSHS.
These scores were located on a website titled "Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores" and are printed below. Season records
of these and other teams of West Salem HS are welcome. 1921-22 through 1932-33 Postseason scores, records, and coaches' names needed.
1933-34 Bridgeport
District Tournament Coach Eldo Roy
season record needed 1st
Rd lost to Keensburg 31-25 Keensburg
lost to Bridgeport in 2nd Rd Bridgeport
beat Lawrenceville in title game
| West Salem High School "Warriors" 1933-34 |
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| Submitted by Judy Loudermilk |
1934-35
Olney District Semi-Finalist
Coach's name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Claremont 36-17
2nd Rd Beat Calhoun 34-23 Semi-final
lost to Noble 32-28 Noble
lost to Olney in title game 1935-36 Bridgeport
District Tournament
Coach's name & record needed 1st
Rd lost to Calhoun 22-20
Calhoun lost to Allendale in semi-final
Allendale beat Lancaster in title game 1936-37
Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed. 1937-38 Postseason
scores, record, and coach's name needed. 1938-39 Mount
Carmel Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Mount Carmel 57-17
Mount Carmel beat Carmi in title game 1939-40
Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed. 1940-41 Postseason
scores, record, and coach's name needed. 1941-42 Flora
Regional Tournament
Coach's name & record needed 1st
Rd lost to Olney 57-14
Olney lost to Flora in title game 1942-43 Flora
Regional Tournament
Coach's name & record needed 1st
Rd lost to Flora 109-9
Flora beat Cisne in title game 1943-44
Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed
. 1944-45 Mount
Carmel Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Carmi 41-36
Carmi lost to Mt. Carmel in semi-final
Mt. Carmel beat Grayville in title game 1945-46 Carmi
Regional Tournament
Coach's name & record needed 1st
Rd lost to Mt. Carmel 33-29
Mt. Carmel beat Allendale in title game. 1946-47 Mount
Carmel Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed 1st
Rd lost to Crossville 41-18 Crossville
lost to Mt. Carmel in title game 1947-48 Carmi
Regional Tournament
Coach's name & record needed 1st
Rd lost to Crossville 75-63
Crossville lost to Mt. Carmel in semi-final
Mt. Carmel lost to Carmi in title game 1948-49
Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed. 1949-50 Carmi
Regional Tournament
Coach's name & record needed 1st
Rd lost to Crossville 56-31
Crossville lost to Carmi in semi-final
Carmi lost to Albion Edwards County in title game 1950-51 Mount
Carmel Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed 1st
Rd lost to Albion 46-32
Albion lost to Fairfield in semi-final
Fairfield lost to Carmi in title game 1951-52
St. Francisville District Tournament Coach
Ray Wright season
record needed. 1st
Rd lost to Palestine 85-34
Palestine lost to St. Francisville in title game
1952-53
Postseason scores & record needed. Coach Ray Wright
| West Salem HS Basketball Team of 1952-53 |
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| Yearbook of Carol Jane Orrel Andersen Tomblinson / Submitted by Sherry Whitman |
1953-54
Postseason scores & record needed. Coach Ray Wright 1954-55 Postseason scores
& record needed. Coach Calhoun 1955-56
Postseason scores & record needed. Coach Jim Witte 1956-57 Postseason scores, record, and coach's
name needed. 1957-58 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed. 1958-59 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed. 1959-60 Postseason
scores, record, and coach's name needed.
Extra Curricular Activities We are certain
sports were likely not the only item offered at West Salem HS. It is probable that choir,
band, drama, plays, and many other activities made the experience of attending FGHS
a rewarding one. MEMORIES The
following information was supplied by Sherry Whitman and was taken from items found in her mother's
(Carol Jane Orrel Andersen Tomblinson) 1953 West Salem HS yearbook. "The
classes/pictures listed are Albion School students from kindergarten through Grade 8, Bone Gap School from kindergarten through Grade 9, Browns School from kindergarten through Grade 9, Shelby School from 1st grade through 5th, Wabash School from 1st grade through 8th, and
West Salem School from Kindergarten through Grade 11. I am guessing by then
most kids went to HS in Albion, but it appears only the seniors of West
Salem went to Albion (or Edwards County HS) in 1953. My mother was in 8th grade in this yearbook,
and my father was in 9th grade. My mother was a cheerleader and she was a drummer in the band. I
also have her cheerleading vest, a picture of the back is attached for your reference.
It appears their colors were gold and blue. Also in her treasures was a
High School Days Memory Book, where she transcribed the West Salem HS Fight Song. Here is what she wrote:
"On West Salem" On West Salem, on West Salem, tear right down the floor. Throw the ball right through the circle
baskets one or more. Rah, Rah, Rah! On West Salem, on West Salem, fight on for
your fame. Fight fellows, fight, fight, fight, and win the game. (Repeat) 15 Rahs
for West Salem." I could not tell by reading anything she had what the school
mascot might have been. In 1953, West Salem School had a High School basketball squad (my stepfather George
Tomblinson was their center), a Jr. High basketball squad, and a grade
school basketball squad. They also had high school and Jr. high cheerleaders,
and a West Salem High School and Jr. High softball teams as well as the West Salem all school band. Also is
a picture of the West Salem High School chorus. I don't beleive they ever had a football squad
- my parents always only talked about basketball and softball, which is in keeping
with this yearbook. Although the Edwards Senior High folks are not
listed in this book, pictures of the Edwards Senior High Girls Athletic Association, FFA and FHA is in the back
- as well as the Edwards HS Senior High First Squad Football team, of which my Uncle
Chet Orrel is listed as a player. He is not listed anywhere else
in this book, however, so I am thinking he was a senior at ECHS during the printing
of this book- he graduated in 1954 and is listed in the 1954 Edwards County HS "Edwardian" which can be found on
ancestry.com. This leads me to believe my mother's yearbook, although it is titled the 1953 Echoes, is actually for the 53-54 school
year. I hope this information is helpful to you and other readers
of the Glory Days website." **From Lena Turpin:
"I attended
West Salem School from the 6th Grade (this was when they closed Little Brick
School) thru my Sophmore year at West Salem High School. My Junior year was the first year
that the Juniors was forced to go the Albion High School, that school year would
have been 1954-1955. I would be in the year books as Lena Turpin."
Do You Have Information on West Salem High School? If
you do, please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. A photo of the original school building and gymnasium are especially being sought. You can also send items
to us at: IHSGD Website 6439
N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631
| Back Side of 1911 Postcard Shown at Top of Page |
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| Submitted by Judy Loudermilk |
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![westsalemhsbasketball1934dav.jpg](/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=560&linkpath=http://www.illinoishsglorydays.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/westsalemhsbasketball1934dav.jpg&target=tlx_new&title=West Salem High School "Warriors" 1933-34)
