The History of Seatonville High School
Seatonville (population 303) is located in north-central Illinois in the southeast
portion of Bureau County. The town sits on U.S. Route 6 about three miles west of Illinois Route 89. Interstate
Highway 80 passes about one mile to the north of Seatonville. The Burlington Northern & Sante Fe Railroad
travels through town as well.
Seatonville is named after the "Seaton brothers" who owned a mining company which greatly supported the
residents of the area. Mining was a key part of the early development and growth of Seatonville. The first coal
mine was opened in 1878. In its "boom" time (late 1800s / early 1900s) Seatonville reached a population of more
than 2,000 residents. One interesting comment in the article was that, true to its blue collar roots, the
town also supported 21 bars!
By 1930 the coal mine had closed and the residents of Seatonville began moving away. The population
of the town in 1937 was approximately 500. The town leveled at that number for several years before settling into its
current population of approximately 300 residents.
We know that Seatonville residents made certain the kids of the town received a good education. We are
only aware that the town once offered high school courses based on a photo we found at the web address of http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/History/1918seatonville_class/index.html . This web page includes a photo of the Seatonville High School graduating class of 1918. A total of
29 students graduated that year.
We are not certain as to when, however at some point in time Seatonville High School was closed.
We believe this may have occurred in the 1940s. We do know that the kids of Seatonville today attend
Hall Township High School in nearby Spring Valley.
Seatonville High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
late 1800s?
Year closed: 1940s?
Consolidated to:
Hall Township High School, Spring Valley
Seatonville HS nickname: unavailable
Seatonville HS colors: unavailable
Seatonville HS fight song: unavailable
