Please visit the new site for the most up to date information. Use the new website's search bar and easy to navigate menu to find what you are looking for!
This page has been designed to post photos of grade school buildings that are no longer used as schools. Some
are in a delapidated state, some are now used as businesses, some are used for civic purposes.
ALL of these buildings, however, were once filled with the joyous shouts of children at play, of chalk gliding across
the chalk board, and of gym shoes screaching on the floor. They, too, were once the center of the community they served and
deserve to be remembered.
If you have such a photo and wish to share it on this page, please forward it to us via e-mail to ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .
Adeline Grade School
Adeline School Building - Built 1866
Restored - Now Used as Village Hall
Adeline School Desks and Blackboard
Adeline School Building View from Northwest
Adeline (population 85) is located in northwestern Illinois in the northwestern portion
of Ogle County. Adeline is about 10 miles southeast of Freeport. The village is located at the intersection of Adeline Road
and White Eagle Road. Illinois Route 72 passes by just one mile to the south and is connected to the village via Adeline Road.
The Soo Line Railroad passes just south of town as well.
Adeline is a beautiful little town that includes summer church camp grounds, and a nice Lutheran Church.
The "barbershop quartet" song "Sweet Adeline" refers to this small hamlet. The building pictured above, built in 1868, served
as a grades 1 - 8 school for many years. The kids of Adeline attended Leaf River High School upon graduating from 8th grade. When Leaf River High School closed in 1986, all students were sent to nearby Forreston High
School. It is believed that the Adeline School served as a school through the 1960s. It has been restored and is now used
as a village hall.
From Roberta VanBriesen:
The Milwaukee RR came thru about 1/2 mile south of the village of Adeline. There was a depot,
grain elevator, store and hotel at this location. It is about 1/4 mile east of the blacktop. The hotel building
is still there, a home now, I can't remember if the elevator is still there or torn down, I can remember when it was still
in operation.
Albany Grade School
Albany Grade School, Albany, Illinois
Closed in 2005
Albany (population 895) is located about 20 miles northeast of Moline along the
mighty Mississippi River in Whiteside County on State Highway 84. Albany supported its own high school through 1944 when it merged with nearby Fulton High School. This school served as a grade school for the Fulton River
Bend School District from 1952 - 2005 wshen it was closed.
Annawan Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School
Annawan Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School - 2013
Annawan Sacred Heart Catholic GS NW View
Annawan Sacred Heart Catholic GS SW View
Annawan (population 878) is located in the upper western portion of Illinois
in the northeastern portion of Henry County. Annawan is located at the intersection of U.S. Route 6 and Illinois Route 78.
Interstate Highway 80 passes through the northern edge of town. The village of Annawan was established in 1853 along
what was then known as the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad. Annawan is said to be named after a Winnebago Indian
Chief.(http://www.annawanillinois.org/History.htm)
The Sacred Heart Catholic School building pictured above was built in 1913. It was school
for grades 1 - 8. For a short period between 1922 and 1923 the school building served as host to some classes for Annawan
High School while the new high school brick building was being constructed. Sacred Heart Grade School served the
community until 1966 when it was closed. The building still stands today and is utilized in a limited capacity by the Sacred
Heart Catholic Parish.
Baileyville Grade School
Baileyville Grade School Building 2011
Courtesy of Roberta Van Briesen
Baileyville (population about 250) is an unincorporated village in far north central
Illinois. It is located in far northwestern Ogle County about 5 miles south of the city of Freeport. This grade
school was closed in the mid-1970s. The children of Baileyville attend schools in nearby Forreston.
Barstow Grade School
Barstow Grade School Building 2013
Photo Taken by Roberta Van Briesen
Barstow School Building 2013
Photo Taken by Roberta Van Briesen
Barstow School Building 2013
Photo Taken by Roberta Van Briesen
Barstow School Building 2013
Photo Taken by Roberta Van Briesen
Barstow School Building 2013
Photo Taken by Roberta Van Briesen
Barstow (population approximately 150) is located in northwestern Illinois in
the far north central portion of Rock Island County. The county road known as Barstow Road (or 1st Avenue North) is the main
roadway leading to and from Barstow. The county road listed as 193rd Street North also takes you to town. Interstate Highway
80 passes about 1/2 mile to the east of Barstow. The Burlington Northern Railroad line travels just to the north of Barstow.
Barstow is about 6 miles west of downtown East Moline.
Barstow is an unincorporated village in Hampton Township. The town was
originally established along the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad line and was known as Franklin Crossing. The village
was so named after Joel G. Franklin who donated the land. Shortly after the town was being settled,
the name was changed to Barstow. This informatin was located ina book titled "Historic Rock Island County" which was written
in 1906. At that time Barstow consisted of about 25 buildings, including a grade school.
We know that Barstow once had a grade school. There remains a school
building in town though it is now privately owned. We know that Barstow supported a grade school for many years. The main
school building that still stands in Barstow was built in 1914. It is our guess that at some point Barstow consolidated their
efforts with Carbon Cliff to form the Carbon Cliff/Barstow School District #39. The kids of Barstow attend school at the Eagle
Ridge School in Silvis today. We are not certain in what capacity this school building in Barstow is utilized today..
Beaverville Grade School
Beaverville Comm. Center - Former Grade School?
Beaverville (population 391) is located in upper-eastern Illinois, some might even say
lower-northeastern Illinois. Beaverville sits in the northeastern portion of Iroquois County. Beaverville
is located in a country setting at the intersection of County Roads 3000N and 2500E. Illinois Route 1 passes
by about four miles to the west while U.S. Route 52 travels by Beaverville approximately four miles to the south. The
Illinois/Indiana border is 8 miles east of Beaverville. The Kankakee, Beaverville, & Southern Railroad passes through
Beaverville as well. Beaverville sits about 20 miles southeast of Kankakee.
A nice history of the town can be found at the web address of
Beaverville first incurred the name of St. Mary's. Upon the construction of the railroad through
the area, it was discovered that the name of St. Mary's was already in use. "Beaverville", the name of a nearby
post office, was then accorded the name of the town. The township of Beaverville was established in 1921.
The town has had many successful businesses. There was never a high school in Beaverville as far as we know, just a grades
1 - 8 school. Could this be the former school building? Please let us know. The kids of Beaverville attend school
in nearby Donavan today.
Bernodette Grade School
Bernodette Grade School, Bernodette, Illinois
Bernadotte Playground Equipment 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Merry-Go-Round 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte School Memorial Stone 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadette School Memorial
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Cafe 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Mill Stone 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Dam 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Steel Bridge 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte is located in western Illinois in the west-central portion of Fulton County.
Bernadotte is located at the intersection of County Highways 2 and 14. Bernadotte is located about 5 miles north of Ipava.
The Spoon River flows past the small hamlet of Bernadotte. The village was nearly named the state capitol of Illinois, losing
out to Vandalia by one vote in 1820. Bernadotte was a nice-sized community of about 400 residents through the early 1940s.
In 1943 the United States government moved to turn the area on which Bernadotte was located into a prison camp and training
center known as Camp Ellis. This facility basically shut down civilian life in Bernadotte, and was closed just over one year
later. The village never recovered and now has but a few residents.
The Bernadotte school building is pictured above. The school was likely closed in 1943 and was a grades
1 - 8 school. Today the kids of Bernadotte attend school as part of the Table Grove V.I.T. School District. For more on Bernadotte
check out the following web addresses:
Campus (population 145) is a small village located in the northeastern Livingston County
in the upper-western portion of Illinois. County Highway 1 and County Highway 3 intersect in Campus. The village
is located about 6 miles (as the crow flies) southeast of Dwight. The school above served as a grade school through at
least the 1960s. The school was eventually closed when it was decided that all students would attend school at the newly
created Reddick RUCE School District. Campus put the "C" in "RUCE". It is a beautiful little town with a majestic Catholic
Church and rectory still standing. This building (above) is now utilized as a community center. The students of
Campus today attend school in nearby Herscher.
Chana Grade School
Chana Grade School Building 1953 - 1965
Now Possibly Abandoned
Chana Grade School Building 2016
Left click on photo for larger view
Chana Grade School Building 2016
Left click on photo for larger view
Chana (population approximately 300) is an unincorporated town in the central portion of
Ogle County in northern Illinois. Chana is located on County Highway 4 (Chana Road) about 2 miles south of Illinois Route
64. The village is located about 7 miles southeast of the Ogle County seat of Oregon and 8 miles northwest of Rochelle. The
town was platted in 1871 by a man named William Chaney, whom the town was likely named after.
Chana has a very storied history including the great interest in education for their children. A school
was erected in the village of Chana in 1883. This wood frame school served the students of grades 1 - 8 for Chana and
the surrounding farm kids. An addition was made to the school in 1893 to accommodate the large enrollment. This gave the Chana
school a very unique architecture for schools of that era. The Chana residents voted on the prospect of starting a high school
in 1888 however the initiative was voted down and the kids who wished to pursue schooling after 8th grade attended high school
in Oregon.
The Chana frame grade school building continued to serve the community until a more modern building was
erected in 1953. This building served as the Chana Grade School building until it too was closed in the mid 1960s when all
students were bused to Oregon for their education.
Original Chana Grade School 1883 - 1953
Now a Museum in Oregon, Illinois
The original Chana wood-framed school building (viewed above) was salvaged and moved to the east side
of Oregon where it was refurbished and is now used as a local museum memorializing the one-room school system.
The brick school building still standing in Chana, which was constructed in the early 1950s, may have been
used at one time as a school by the Ogle County Educational Department. The building now looks abandoned but is well-kept.
To learn more about the Chana wood-framed school building please visit
Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the United States located in Cook County
in the far northeast portion of Illinois on the beaches of Lake Michigan. Above is pictured the former Longfellow Grade School
building which was an active school for several decades before being closed. The following information was provided by Ken
Zintak:
"Longfellow elementary school that was on 35th street (between
Wolcott and Wincester) on Chicago’s Southside. My brother Ron graduated from their in 1964. My brother Mark and
I both attended there but moved before we reached 8th grade."
Please contact us if you have any further information regarding Longfellow Grade School in Chicago.
Chillicothe Pearce Grade School
Chillicothe Pearce Grade School - 1935
From Pearce Community Center Website - http://www.pearcecc.com/about-us/history/
Chillicothe (population 5,996) is located
in north central Illinois in Peoria County. Illinois Route 29 travels through the heart of Chillicothe, as does the Burlington
Northern Sante Fe Railroad line. Chillicothe was established along the Illinois River which flows by the east side of town.
Chillicothe was first settled in 1834 and is named after a Shawnee Indian Chief.
Pearce Grade School was established in Chillicothe in 1935.
The grade school was closed in the 1980s. The school building has a happy ending as it has been converted to the Pearce
Community Center and is still in use today in that capacity. http://www.pearcecc.com/about-us/history/
During its existence the Pearce Grade School athletic teams had some great successes, incoluding
winning the 1972 IESA lightweight basketball championship. Here is a recap of that experience as remembered by a former player,
Jeff Chamberlain:
"Thanks for including closed Grade Schools on your site. The town we moved to after grade school
was a doormat for High school sports. BUT instead we had the ultimate "high school" type dream happen at my GRADE School.
Pearce Grade School in Chillicothe IL WON the 1972 IESA Boys class "B" Lightweights State Basketball Championship at Neuman
Gym in Normal Community High School. Pearce is now a Community Center. IESA.org has the path we took to win. Down by 8 at
half and seeing Rantoul cheering and hugging in the other locker room through the coaches room glass windows we became motivated.
Coach Tony Blew said.."YOU see that!" they think they won already!" He challenged us all to win. We roared
back to lead and with the score tied 56-56 a last second shot by Alex Razo, assist by Mike Rushin
gave us the Title 58-56 over Rantoul Eater. We never forgot it. Little Chillicothe IL beat Paris Mayo, Mt.Pulaski and a very
tough Piasa Southwestern team to meet Rantoul for the Tit le. I remember it every time March Madness comes around. We
even had the big STATE of IL cut-out with cities and lights up on the wall by the Clocks. That's the last I saw of that Iconic
relic of IL State Basketball. IESA was using it in the 1970s. When we won the fans rushed the floor, we all cheered and hugged
and danced with the Cheerleaders, I waved to my Dad and brother up in the crowd. After the Trophy presentations we drove home
to be loaded on town Fire Trucks with sirens blaring. We were driven around town chanting "We're number ONE!!" even though
it was after 9:30pm at night. Finally back to Pearce Elementary school at the Cafeteria for punch/cake surrounded by bus loads
of students, teachers, parents.
Pearce Grade School Class 'B' State Champs 1972
Submitted by Jeff Chamberlain
Pearce G.S. Class 'B' Basketball 1972 State Champs
Submitted by Jeff Chamberlain
Pearce GS Victory Dinner 1972
Submitted by Jeff Chamberlain
Pearce GS Basketball Champ Article 1964
Submitted by Jeff Chamberlain
Pearce Grade School 1972 Champs Letter & Ball
Submitted by Jeff Chamberlain
Motivated by your website I went out on my own to find old Pictures, stories of our win. I put it all on
the Flickr website. You can see the Album by searching "chillicothepearcemustangs" on Flickr. I'm adding to it all the time.
I've been seeking real photos from that night as the whole envelope the school sold us was lost long ago by my parents after
2 or 3 moves. I STILL have the little golden basketball IESA awarded us and my School "C" State Champ letter from 1972. Thank
you again for a great website. You're right. Every little school and every child mattered. :0)"
Clarence Grade School
Clarence School Stone Over Doorway
Found at Clarence Elevator Building
"Dist. 74"
Found at Clarence Elevator - 2012
"Clarence"
School Stone Above Door - Bldg Razed
Clarence (population approximately 100) is located in the east-central portion of Illinois
in the southeastern portion of Ford County. Clarence is located on County Highway 6 about 1 mile north of Illinois Route 9.
The largest town of note near Clarence is Paxton, about 5 miles to the west. The above photos were taken in the grain elevator
weigh station building in town, the last surving business. The stone was saved from demolition when the school was razed several
years ago. The Clarence Grade School District 74 served the community from the very early 1900s through the 1960s when
the school was closed. The children of Clarence attend school in Paxton as part of the Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District.
Deer Grove Grade School
Deer Grove Grade School Building
Deer Grove Grade School 2013
Deer Grove Grade School Building Side View
Deer Grove (population 45) is located in northwestern Illinois in the southeast corner
of Whiteside County. Deer Grove is about 12 miles south of Rock Falls. Illinois Route 40 is the main roadway to and from Deer
Grove. The Whiteside County roadways named Deer Road and Arrow Road also lead you to Deer Grove. As you pass through town
there are what appear to be the remnants of a railroad track that once passed through town. A small bar and grill and a grain
elevator with approximately 15 - 20 houses complete the town.
The school house pictured above sits on the east side of Route 40. It appears to be utilized today
as a business of some sort. It once served as a grade school for the town of Deer Grove and the surrounding farm kids. The
kids of Deer Grove today attend grade school in nearby Tampico and high school in Prophetstown.
Diamond Grade School
Diamond Grade School Building
Submitted by Dale Miller (Diamond G.S. Class of 1959)
Diamond Grade School - County Champs
Submitted by Dale Miller
Diamond Grade School District #135 was
located in a country setting in east-central Illinois in the center portion of Vermilion County. It sat on U.S. Highway
150 a few miles west of Danville Illinois. Diamond Grade School existed for several decades before closing in 2002. The school
was named after the Black Diamond coal mine and included grades K - 8. District #135 also included at least two other
smaller schools, Hillery and Vance Lane School, that housed students in grades 1-4.
Dale Miller (Class of 1959) provided the following additional information regarding
Diamond Grade School:
"Diamond Grade School closed in 2002 with its students transferring to Oakwood Grade School
in the Unit 76 School District. Located just west of Danville, Il. on US 150, Diamond was originally a K-8 district, then
#135. The west half of the building was built in 1901,with four classrooms and the tower. The east half was built
in 1928, adding four more classrooms. A gymnasium with a stage located on the north side was added in 1954. The school
was known for having solid basketball teams. Diamond won back to back heavyweight county tournaments and won 46 consecutive
games in 1957-1959."
Dunfermline Grade School
Dunfermline School Building 2014
Dunfermline (population 262) is located
in upper-western Illinois in the west-central portion of Fulton County. Illinois Route 78 and County Road 100 take you to
and from Dunfermline. The Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad passes through Dunfermline as well. The Little Sister
Creek flows by the east side of town, while the Big Creek flows by the west side. Dunfermline is located 4 miles due south
of Canton. Dunfermline was established in 1887 and is named after a town of the same name in Scotland.
Information is needed regarding the establishment of the Dunfermline school pictured above. It
is likely the school was built around the 1920s and served the town as a grade school for many decades. It is not known
if Dunfermline ever supported a high school, though there is currently no evidence available to support this. The
photo above was taken in January of 2014. The sign above the entrance simply states "Dunfermline School Dist. No. 88." Please contact
us if you have any further information. The kids of Dunfermline today attend school in Canton.
Eldena Grade School
Eldena School Building - 2011
Eldena School Building - 2011
Eldena (population about 200) is located in northwestern Illinois in the north central
portion of Lee County. Eldena sits about seven miles southeast of Dixon, Eldena is located on Red Brick Road at the intersection
of County Road 31 also known as Eldena Road. A nice history of the town is found at the web address of http://www.leecountyhistory.com/lee_county/eldena.htm .
The area around Eldena was first settled in the 1830s. The town was established in the mid-1850s
when the Illinois Central Railroad laid tracks through the area. The school pictured above served as a grade school at
one time. It appeared, in 2011, to serve as a private residence. The kids of Eldena now attend school in nearby Amboy.
Eleroy Grade School
Eleroy Grade School Building 2015
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
Eleroy (population 85) is located in far northwestern Illinois in the west-central portion
of Stephenson County. U.S. Route 20 is the main roadway to and from Eleroy, The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad line passes
through Eleroy. Eleroy is located about 6 miles northwest of Freeport. Eleroy was platted in 1852 and named after the son,
named Leroy but known as Eleroy, of a local business man named Hiram Jones.
The photo above, taken by Roberta Van Briesen, is of the Eleroy Grade School building
as it is used as a private residence in 2015. We know that Eleroy had a grade school in place in the early 1890s. Dennis
Bergman tells us the Eleroy school pictured above was built in 1957-58 and ready for use beginning in 1958. A building
of identical structure was erected in Waddams Grove. The Eleroy school building served as a K-5 school and children
would then continue their education at a Junior High School in Lena. Mrs. Olsen and Mrs. Kortemeier
were two of the teachers at the school. Unfortunately the building served as a school for a short period of time, closing
in 1969 when a new inclusive school was built in Lena.
Emington Grade School
Emington Grade School Building 2013
Submitted by Owen Pulver
Emington Grade School Building 2013
Submitted by Owen Pulver
Emington (population 117) is located in east-central Illinois in the northeast portion
of Livingston County. Emington is situated on County Road N 3000 E about 5 miles north of Illinois Route 116. County Road
E 2400 N also leads you to Emington and will take you to Illinois Route 47 about 3 miles to the west.
We are in need of information regarding the history of the town of Emington and its former grade school.
If you have additional information to share please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .
The photos of the former Emington Grade School building shown above were sent to us by Owen Pulver.
Owen tells us the following about Emington.
"Emington is located in eastern Livingston County about 10 miles southeast of Dwight. The children
of Emington go to Saunemin for grade school and Dwight for high school."
Esmond Grade School
Esmond Grade School - 2010
Submitted by Roberta VanBriesen
Esmond Grade School Side View
Thank you to Roberta Van Briesen
Esmond Grade School Gym Scoreboard
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
Esmond Grade School Gym Basket
Courtesy of Roberta Van Briesen
Esmond School Inscription
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
Esmond (population 291) is located in far northern Illinois in the western portion of Dekalb
County. Esmond is situated about 10 miles northwest of the city of Dekalb. An excellent history of the town and
its school can be found at the web address of http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/PDFs/201157.pdf on page 8. According to the information on this page Esmond began a school in the town in
1860. The above school was built in 1950 and closed in 1993. The kids of Esmond now attend grade school at Eswood
Grade School in Lindenwood and high school in Rochelle.
Flagg Center Grade School
Flagg Center School Bldg - Now a Church (2011)
Flagg Center, Il (Ogle County - Submitted by Roberta VanBreisen)
Flagg Center (population approximately 300) is located in north central Illinois in the
southeastern portion of Ogle County. It is situated at the intersection of Flagg Road and Center Road. Flagg Center sits about
one mile northwest of the outskirts of Rochelle. The Soo Line Railroad meets with the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad
near Flagg Center. The building above served as a school for many years until it was converted to a church, a capacity in
which it continues to serve today. The kids of Flagg Center attend school in Rochelle today.
Harrison Grade School
Harrison, Illinois School Building - 2009
Now a Private Residence - Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
Harrison (population 75?) is located in far north-central Illinois in the north-central
portion of Winnebago County. Harrison is located about 20 miles northwest of Rockford. County Highway 75 (also known as Freeport
Road) travels through Harrison, as does Harrison Road. Sugar Creek passes by the west side of town too. According to
www.mapquest.com Harrison is about 3 blocks from north to south and two blocks from east to west.
The school building pictured above likely served as a grades 1 - 8 school, maybe even lower grades
only. It now serves as a private residence. The kids of Harrison attend school in the nearby Rockton Hononegah School District.
Holcomb
Carrie Sheaff Grade School
Holcomb Carrie Sheaff Grade School Building
Submitted by Roberta VanBriesen (now a private residence)
Holcomb Masonic Hall Building 2012
Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen 9left click on photo for larger view)
Holcomb Grade School Gym Entrance
Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen 9left click on photo for larger view)
Holcomb Grade School Addition (added in 1950s)
Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen 9left click on photo for larger view)
Holcomb (population approximately 200) is located in northwestern Illinois in the west-central
portion of Ogle County. The town is situated on East Holcomb Road about one mile west of Illinois Route 251. The Soo Line
and Iowa, Chicago, & Eastern railroad lines both travel through Holcomb. Holcomb is about 10 miles north of Rochelle.
From Roberta VanBriesen:
"Holcomb never had a high school. The village kids go to Kings and Rochelle HS now. My dad spent
his childhood there. It was a lively town in it's day. The CB&Q crossed the CGW there. My dad played
with kids whose dad was a conductor on the CGW and learned to call all the stops all the way to Chicago. There was a
large hobo jungle where the tracks crossed. The town was blessed with a bank that survived the depression."
Homewood Central Grade School
Homewood Central Grade School 1939 Postcasrd
Submitted by Lawrence Santeford
Homewood Central Grade School Building
Photo Submitted by Lawrence Santeford
Homewood (population 19,323) is located in northeastern Illinois in southern
Cook County. The following information about Homewood Central Grade School was provided by former student Lawrence
Santeford.
"Central was an elementary school in Homewood, Illinois. I attended
1957-1958 in 6th grade. When I was in high school (1960-1964) they hired us boys to sweep floors nights in the
elementary schools and work there during the summers. A real personal loss when these schools were destroyed.."
Homewood Standard Grade School
Homewood Standard Grade School Building
Submitted by Lawrence Santeford
Homewood (population 19,323) is located in northeastern Illinois in southern
Cook County. The following information about Homewood Central Grade School was provided by former student Lawrence
Santeford.
"Homewood Standard School was located at 18126 Dixie Highway in downtown Homewood, Illinois. Construction
of the school was completed the summer of 1904, the third school of the village. There were four large classrooms with
center cloak closets, an office, attic and a basement. It opened September 1904 with 117 students in all eight grades. By
circa 1917, it became too crowded and classes were also held at the old Zimmer home on Martin Avenue and Ridge Road. During
the early 1920s, Central School was built to provide more classroom space. The Standard Grade School was demolished 1970 for
the widening of Hickory Road. On the south part of the lot Independence Park was built as a Bicentennial tribute in 1976."
Hooppole Grade School
Hooppole, Illinois Grade School - Closed in 1979
Now a private business - photo taken in 2005
Hooppole School Building 1953
Courtesy of Mary Ellen Doubler Frank
Hooppole (population 200) is located in north central Illinois in the northeastern portion
of Henry County. Hooppole folks supported their own high school through 1948 when they merged with Annawan High School. The building pictured above was likely constructed in
the 1950s. It served as the Annawan School District's 1st and 2nd grade building through 1979. It was then closed
as a new all-inclusive school was built in Annawan. The building today serves as a local business. The kids of Hooppole
continue to attend school in Annawan today.
Latham Park Grade School
Latham Park School, Winnebago County, IL.
Photo Courtesy of Roberta Van Briesen
Latham Park School Mosaic on Outer Wall
Sent to Us by Roberta Van Briesen
Latham Park Grade School, Winnebago County, IL.
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen - 2010
Latham Park (population 200?) is located in far north-central Illinois in the northeastern
portion of Winnebago County. Latham Park is a northern suburb of sorts to Rockford, and is located on County Highway 17 about one
mile east of Illinois Route 2. The Soo Line Railroad runs by the east side of town. Latham Park is situated west of the Rock
River, across from Machesny Park to the east.
The Latham Park School was utilized as a K - 8 school that fed into the Machesny Park Harlem School District.
The school was closed and we believe the students of Latham Park continue to attend Mechesmy Park Harlem schools.
L'Erable Grade School
L'Erable Catholic Church Convent Building - 2011
L'Erable Catholic Church Convent Rear - 2011
L'Erable (pronounced 'luh RAB', population approximately 100) is located in east central
Illinois in the north-central portion of Iroquois County. L'Erable is located in a true country setting on County Road E 2700
North at the intersection of County Road 1500 East. The Iroquois River flows by about one mile to the east of town. The town
is about 10 miles northwest of Watseka.
According to a book found on Google titled "The History of L'erable, Iroquois County Illinois" , L'Erable
was settled by a French contingent in 1855. The name L'Erable in French means "the maples", for a grove of Maple trees in
the area.
The building pictured above sits to the east of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in L'Erable. It served
as a convent at one time. Kenneth Brutlag tells us the following about the L'Erable school; "The
school was located across the road (from the church) to the North. It was purchased by someone from the Chicago
area who later sold it to my parents. I do not know the name of the school but it was torn down about 1964 and the lumber
was used to build an addition to my parents home which is located East of where the school was located and a home now sits
at the site where the school at one time sat."
If you have any further information on this building and the town of L'Erable please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.
Mark Grade School
Mark Grade School
http://www.vil.mark.il.us/html/mark_school.html
Mark Grade School Aerial View
http://www.vil.mark.il.us/html/mark_school.html
Mark (population 491) is located in north-central Illinois in the north-central
portion of Putnam County. Mark is located about 1/2 mile west of Granville. Illinois Route 71 passes by the southside of town.
County Road N 1100 St. also takes you to Mark.
Mark was established in 1905. It is named after a person named Mark Elliot,
who was the son of the farmer who donated the land on which the village sits. The brick Mark Grade School
was likely built in the early 1920s, though classes were probably held in a different building well before that time. The
school served the community for many years. We believe it closed in the late 1960s, possibly after the 1967-68 school year.
The Mark Grade School building has since been razed. To view a nice website regardng the town of Mark and its former grade
school go this web address: http://www.vil.mark.il.us/index.html
Maytown Grade School
Maytown, Illinois Grade School - 2009
Appears to be used for storage.
Maytown (population 25) is located in the north central area of Illinois in south central
Lee County. The hamlet sits in a true country setting about 10 miles west-northwest from Mendota (or 20 miles southeast
of Dixon). Maytown Road is the main roadway to and from the area, as the town is situated between Morgan Road and Van
Orin Road. There appears to be a populated subdivision about a mile or two northeast of Maytown as well. The actual
hamlet of Maytown consists of a small former school building (now a storage facitlity, pictured below), a building which
was a school at one time, and a beautiful brick church. There are three to four houses on Maytown road near the
location.
A book titled "Pictorial History of Lee County Schools" states that all schools in May Township were consolidated
in the summer of 1949. The consolidated school was first held in the Maytown Parish Hall building which is still standing.
This arrangement lasted until 1956 when the new attendance center pictured above was completed. The school pictured above
was closed in 1977. The kids of the Maytown area attend school in Amboy today. For more information
on Maytown Academy, click here. The school building above likely served as a grades 1 - 4 or so school at one time.
Middlegrove Grade School
Middlegrove Clair Country School Building
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen
Middlegrove Clair School Building 1894
Photo by Owen Pulver
Middlegrove Clair School Side View
Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Middlegrove Bow Shooting Range 2012
Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Middlegrove Concession Stand 2012
Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Middlegrove Closed Church Building 2012
Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Middlegrove (population approximately 100) is located in upper west central Illinois
in the northeastern portion of Fulton County. Illinois Route 116 is the main roadway leading to and from Middlegrove and connects
it to Farmington located just 5 miles to the east. A county roadway appropriately named Middlegrove Road also leads you to
the small village. Middlegrove was a mining community from the late 1800s through the late 1900s. At one time it supported
several businesses including a hotel.
The school building pictured above was photographed by Roberta VanBriesen and
Owen Pulver. The building was likely a country school moved to this location. A sign above the door
refers to it as the "Clair School 1894". Today this building houses historical information regarding the town of Middlegrove.
We are not certain when the Middlegrove Grade School was established or when it was closed. We do know that the kids of Middlegrove
today attend school in Farmington.
Milmine Grade School
Milmine School 2011
Courtesy of Dennis Downey
Milmine School Building 2011
Now a Grain Elevator (Submitted by Dennis Downey)
Milmine (population approximately 50) is located in east-central Illinois in Cerro Gordo
Township in Piatt County. Milmine is about 15 miles northeast of Decatur. The Norfolk Southern Railroad line travels
through Milmine. County Highway 22 is the main roadway that leads to and from Milmine. It connects to Illinois Highway
105 about one mile to the south. Our good friend Dennis Downey submitted these photos and added the following
information:
"Attached are several pictures of the public school building in the very small town of Milmine, Illinois.
This is just off of Ill. Route 105 between Bement and Cerro Gordo, Illinois.The builidng is now a weigh station for the grain
company which is about the only business plus some houses in the town. My second semester French teacher at Millikin University
was from Milmine. Very elderly at the time and had taught French and German to Americans in WWII."
The kids of Milmine attend Bement Schools today.
Mt. Olive Evangelical Lutheran School
Mt. Olive Evangelical Lutheran School
Mt. Olive (population 2,150) is located in the upper-southwestern portion of
Illinois in the southeast corner of Macoupin County. Illinois Route 138 is the main roadway to and from Mt. Olive. Historic
U.S. Route 66 and Interstate Highway 55 pass by the west side of town. The Norfolk Southern Railraod line passes through Mt.
Olive as well.
The Evangelical Lutheran School building pictured above opened in 1894. It served as a grade
school for 65 years until it was closed in 1969. The building has been in continuous use since that time, though not
in the capicity of a school.
New Bedford Grade School
New Bedford Grade School Building 2013
Photo by Owen Pulver
New Bedford Grade School Inscription
Photo by Owen Pulver
New Bedford (population 75) is located in northwestern Illinois in the far northwestern
corner of Bureau County. The County Roads of 2500N and 250E will take you to and from New Bedford. Illinois Route 40
travels by the town about one mile to the east. The town is about four blocks from east to west and three blocks from north
to south, New Bedford is about 15 miles northwest of the county seat of Princeton.
The area in which New Bedford is now situated was originally settled in 1836 by a man named Henry
Thomas. In 1844 settlers in the area named the town Winnebago. However in 1855 the town's name was changed to
New Bedford to honor the residents' home town in New York. (http://genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/Villages/newbedford/index.html)
New Bedford was quite an exciting place to live in the early half of the 1900s. A family named Bollman
built a basketball gymnasium and a first class baseball/softball facilty on the southwest side of town. An aerial
view of this facility is available at the following link:
The facility was known as Bollman Field with the gymnasium known as Bollman Fieldhouse. The gymnasium instantly
became one of the finer gymnasiums in the area. It played host to a semi-pro basketball team, the Manlius High School
basketball team, as well as events such as pro wrestling. The baseball field often played host to the National Fast-Pitch
Men's Softball tournaments in the 1950s and 1960s. This facility, however is but a shell of its former self today.
The history of the New Bedford Grade School has been difficult to research via the internet. We
believe the school was in existence from the 1860s through at least the late 1950s, possibly even into the 1970s. The school
building photos above were taken by Owen Pulver in 2013. The building appears to be good structual condition.
It opened as a school in 1934 and closed in the 1960s. It also appears to be used for storage today. A nice article about
the school is available at the following web address:
A former student of the New Bedford Grade School, Marilyn Olds Gentz, sent the following
information to us:
"The picture of the new Bedford school that you have posted I believe was built around 1934. I lived in
New Bedford and was to start school in 1934 and the school house burnt down, so we went to school in the back room of the
grocery store that first year. My second year was in the new school. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the grocery store."
If you have any further information to add please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. An aerial photo of the school when it was in its prime is found at:
Normandy (population approximately 50) is located in northwestern
Illinois in the northwestern portion of Bureau County. Normandy sits on Illinois Route 92 about 2 miles east of Illinois Route
40. A railroad line passes through town as well. Normandy is about 4 miles west of Walnut, and about 17 miles south of Sterling.
The building above served as a grade school in Normandy until the late 1940s. It was then used as a community
center for a time, a role it still plays today. An earlier photo of the building is available at the following web address:
The kids of Normandy attended high school in Walnut before that school district was absorbed into the Bureau Valley School District in Manlius in 1994.
Oak Park Bishop Quarter Military Academy
Oak Park Bishop Quarter Military Academy (Gds1-8)
Submitted by Kenneth Rozhon
**From Kenneth Rozhon:
"Bishop Quarter Military Academy was located at 605 Lake St. Oak Park, IL. circa 1900 to 1967. I was
a proud member of the class of 1957. The Oak Park Historical Society has literature on the school. All that’s
left is a 1/2 block street named Bishop Quarter! One of our biggest rivals was La Grange St. Joseph Military Academy,
also closed now. They're gone and that kind of education doesn't exist anymore."
Ottawa St. Patrick's Grade School
Ottawa St. Patrick's Grade School 1913-2010
Ottawa (population 18,400) is located in north central Illinois along Interstate 80 between
the Quad Cities and Chicago. The Fox and Illinois Rivers meet in the center of the city, and also can be reached by US 6,
Illinois 23, and Illinois 71. The Chessie Railroad also has a line that runs thru Ottawa, which it acquired years ago after
the Rock Island went bankrupt in 1980.
Ottawa St. Patrick Grade School served the Catholic students of Ottawa from 1913 until it was closed due
to lack of enrollment and financial strife at the completion of the 2009-10 school year.
Papineau Grade School
Papineau, Illinois Grade School (2010)
Built 1916, Closed 1959
Papineau Grade School Cornerstone - 2010
Papineau (population 186) is located in upper-eastern Illinois
in the northeastern portion of Iroquois County. Papineau is situated on
County Highway 3 at the intersection of County Road 3150 North. There is a railroad line that passes through Papineau. The
town was incorporated in 1874. Papineau kids today attend school in nearby St. Anne. The building above was utilized in a
few different capacities before falling into its current poor state.
"The frame school was built in the early 1900's followed by the brick
school in 1920. The eight grades were usually divided between the two classrooms on the top floor. The lower level contained
two rooms used for recreation in bad weather, the rest rooms,
and the kitchen beginning in the 1950's. Also during the 1950's seventh and eighth grade students were transported to St.
Anne Elementary School. The district became a part of the St. Anne district in January, 1972."
Pierson Station Grade School
Pierson Station Grade School Building - 2015
Submitted By Dennis Downey
Pierson Station (population approximately 50) is located in southeastern Illinois
in the southeast potion of Piatt County. U.S. Route 36 travels just south of town which is located about halfway between Atwood
and Hammond, or approximately 18 miles east of Decatur. The town was first established in 1887 as Dry Ridge but soon had the
name changed to Pierson Station after land owner A.D. Pierson.
At one time there was a grade school in town as is evidenced by the photo taken above by Dennis Downey.
This building is now a private home.
From Dennis Downey:
"Attached is a picture of the public school in what was called Pierson Station, but now is referred to just
as Pierson. It is just off of Route 36 between Atwood and Hammond, Illinois. The Atwood high school, and then, the Atwood-Hammond
high school closed last year and now has completely been torn down. A lot and baseball diamond remain. The Pierson public
school, as you can see, is a home. Very small town with some grain elevators. I believe the Baltimore and Ohio RR goes through
town. There is a line there that comes from Decatur to Tuscola and a spur for the grain elevators."
Pontiac-Esmen Consolidated Grade School DIstrict #431
Pontiac-Esmen Grade School Building 2016
Now a Privately Owned Building
Pontiac -Esmen School Rear View 2016
Now a Privately Owned Building
Pontiac-Esmen School 2016 Western View
Now a Privately Owned Building
Pontiac-Esmen School Entrance 2016
Now a Privately Owned Building
**From Gary Black:
The school was situated in Esmen Township in Livingston County on route 23 north of Pontiac,
Illinois. The building is used today as a small, family business. The building was built in the early "50's as a result of
the closing of the one room schools in Illinois signed into law in 1949. Other consolidated schools in Livingston County were:
Owego, Rooks Creek, Sunbury, Pontiac-Esmen. It is believed Pontiac-Esmen Grade School closed in the summer of 1998.
Ridott Grade School
Ridott Grade School Building
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen
Ridott (population 159) is located in far north-central Illinois in Stephenson County. It
sits about 5 miles east of Freeport on South Rock City Road about 1 mile north of U.S. Route 20. We do not know when the school
closed or when it was built. We believe the kids of Ridott today attend Freeport schools. A nice history of the town
of Ridott and the early formation of its schools district can be viewed at the web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/stephenson/cityridottvillage.html .
Shiloh Grade School - Near Catlin
Shiloh Grade School Near Catlin
Submitted by Mark Smith
From former student Mark Smith:
"This was my grade school from 1956 to the spring of 1960. Shiloh was a one room grammar school
about 3 miles SW of Catlin, IL. By 1958 we had dropped below 15 kids ( the State minimum) . State funding ended
the following year. The school board used up the treasury to keep the school open until the end of the 1959-60 school year.
My sister and I transferred to Catlin Grade school that fall. I was apprehensive about going to the "big" city
school, but I soon found out that I was one of the smartest kids in the 5th grade. Watching the older kids at the blackboard
really paid off for me!
Eight years later, I was the valedictorian of my high school class.
Mrs Rose Sacre was our teacher at Shiloh- we had 13 students enrolled
in the final year. The building was sold to Freeman Cord and he converted it to a home. It was still
standing, until 2019, when it burned down (not occupied). At the end of that school year in 1960, each family was allowed
to keep one item from the school. We chose the large brass hand bell that Mrs Sacre used to call us kids
into the building for classes. In my mind's eye , I can see her standing on the top step, ringing that bell, calling us
back to classes, from our lunch and recess. I am still the keeper of that bell up to this day."
Stillwell (population approximately 100)
is located in the far western portion of Illinois in the southwestern potion of Hancock County. The County Roads of East 150
N and 1700E intersect and form the main two streets for Stillwell. The small village is located about 26 miles northeast of
Quincy. The town was originally settled in 1839 and a post office established naming the village St. Alban's. The town
was later platted in 1870 by its namesake, Arthur Stillwell, and William Zinn.The
Quincy, Carthage, & Burlington Railroad line was instrumental in the early development of Stillwell.
Swan Creek Grade School
Swan Creek School Bldg. 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen (now a church)
Swan Creek Church Bldg. 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Swan Creek Bank Bldg. 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Swan Creek School Bell 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Swan Creek (population approximately 50) is located in western Illinois in the southwest
corner of Warren County. County Highway 29 and County Roadway 25th Avenue intersect in Swan Creek. U.S. Route 67 passes
by town about one mile to the west. Swan Creek is about two blocks from east to west and two blocks from north to south. The
town is situated 14 miles south of Monmouth, about halfway between Macomb and Monmouth.
According to a book published in 1877 and titled "The Past and Present Of Warren County Illinois" (Page
175) a post office was established in Swan Creek in 1837. A railroad line was built through town in 1870. At that time Swan
Creek had "three or four good stores and the same number of shops, and a good mill and elevator." A school for
the town's children was established at an early date. A large school house was built in 1876.
The building above is still standing and was once utilized as the Swan Creek school building. The photo
was taken in 2012 by Roberta Van Briesen. The building is now utilized as a church.
Texas Township Grade School
Texas Township School Building, DeWitt County, IL.
Taken in August of 2010 by Dennis Downey
Texas Township School Entrance
Submitted by Dennis Downey
Texas Township (population 1,284) is located in lower east-central Illinois in the southwestern
portion of DeWitt Couhty. The township is located about 2 miles south of the city of Clinton, and 15 miles north of Decatur.
U.S. Route 51 passes through the middle of Texas Township.
A nice history of Texas Township can be read at the web address of http://dewitt.ilgenweb.net/texas-twp.htm . The township was named when a resident of Clinton, Daniel Newcomb, left Clinton in the early to
middle 1800s with the intention of moving to Texas. He made it but a few miles and stated "This is close enough to Texas
for me." The locals made it folklore and the name Texas Township stuck. The Texas School pictured above served the township
as grades 1 - 8 school for many years. It is likely that the school was vacated in the early 1950s. Some kids, after
graduating from Texas Township Grade School, would attend either nearby Kenney High School or Clinton High School. The
kids of Texas Township today likely attend Clinton Schools.
Thomas Grade School
Thomas Grade School
Thomas (population 30) is located in north-central Illinois in the northwestern portion
of Bureau County. Thomas is located in a true country setting at the intersection of County Roads 2500 Avenue N and 200 Street
E. Thomas is about 25 miles (as the crow flies) northwest of Princeton.
A very nice article regarding the history and make-up of this very small community can be viewed at
the web address of http://www.tampicohistoricalsociety.com/History_Thomas_IL.html . In summary, the area in whcih Thomas is situated was first settled in 1846. It was originally
called Sodtown. The name was later changed to Thomas in honor of a man who had great influence on the town's early growth,
Washington Thomas.
The Thomas Grade School District
#2 began as a one-room school in 1860. It held classes for kids in grades 1 - 6. In 1948 enough students were
attending to bring cause for an addition being built onto the school building. The school pictured above served the kids of
Thomas and the surrounding farm families through 1963 when the school was closed. The kids of Thomas attend school at
the Bureau Valley School District in Manlius today.
Waddams Grove Grade School
Waddams Grove School, Stephenson County, IL.
Photo Taken by Roberta Van Briesen, 2010 (now a private residentce)
Waddams Grove (population 50?) is located in far northwestern Illinois in the northwestern
portion of Stephenson County. According to www.mapquest.com, Waddams Grove is one lock from east to west and two blocks from north to south. The county roadway titled
"Galena Road" is the main roadway to and from Waddams Grove. Waddams Grove Road also leads you to the small hamlet. The Chicago,
Central, & Pacific Railway passes through town as well, A nice history of the town is found at the web address of
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waddams_Grove,_Illinois . The town was the first settlement in Stephenson County, being settled by a man named Henry
Waddams in 1832.
Waddams Grove Grade School likely served the area for many decades, probably from the 1800s through 1960s.
David Bergman advises the school pictured above was built in 1957-58 and ready for use in 1958 as a K-5 school.
This building was identical to the school building erected in Eleroy at the same time. The school building's use as a
place of education was short-lived as it closed in 1969. The building has been used as a private residence since the
closure. The kids of Waddams Grove today attend school in the Lena-Winslow School District.
Walton Grade School
Walton, Ilinois Grade School - 2010
Walton, Illinois Store Front Building - 2010
Walton (population 50?) is located in northwestern Illinois in the southwest central portion
of Lee County. Walton is located about 12 miles south of Dixon. Walton Road is the main (and only) roadway that takes
you to and from Walton. The village sits between Sterling Road and Amboy Road about one mile east of Illinois Route 26. Walton
Road is the only street in town. The hamlet of Walton was first settled in 1838 and recognized as a town in 1878. The
village consists of a few houses, an abandoned store building (pictured above) and an abandoned school building
(also pictured above). http://genealogytrails.com/ill/lee/leecitywalton.html
The school above was likely a K - 4 (or less) grade school. It is probable that the school was built in
the 1950s or so. Walton likely supported a grades 1 - 8 school at one time. The children of Walton today probably attend school
in nearby Amboy.
West Jersey Grade School
West Jersey Grade School Building - 2011
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
West Jersey (population 100?) is located in west-central Illinois in the southwest portion
of Stark County. Illinois Route 78 is the main roadway to and from West Jersey. County Highway 7 (also known "Jersey Road"
or "Sharkey Hieghway") also passes through West Jersey. A nice history of West Jersey Township can be found on the web address
of http://illinoisancestors.org/stark/twp_hist/westjerseytwp.html . One interesting note is that in 1910 the township had 818 residents, today that number is 320.
The history of the school system in West Jersey is in need of research. It is likely that for several years
the West Jersey kids attended a grades 1 - 8 school in town, completing their high school courses in Toulon, just 8 miles
away. The building pictured above was likely built in the 1950s and served as a grade school for several years. We believe
it houses a business of some sort today. The kids of West Jersey attend school in Toulon as part of the Stark County School
District..
Westfield Corners Grade School
Westfield Corners School, Winnebago County, IL.
Photo Taken By Roberta Van Briesen, 2010 (now a private residence)
Westfield Corners Church, Winnebago County, IL.
Photo Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen - 2010
Wesfield Corners (population 50?) is located in northwestern Illinois in the south-central
portion of Winnebago County.Westfield Corners is about five miles southwest of Rockford. County Highway 27 runs through
Westfield Corners, while County Highway 65 passes to the west of town. According to the web address http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnebago,_Illinois , Westfield Corners was the first settlement in Winnebago County (occurring n the early 1830s) because a stagecoach
route passed through that area.
The Westfield Corners school building pictured above likely served as a grades 1 - 8 school for many years.
It was eventually closed and the building today serves as a private residence.
Wilsonville Grade School
Wilsonville, Illinois School
Wilsonville (population 604) is located in southwestern Illinois in the central portion
of Macoupin County. Illinois Route 138 is the main roadway to and from Wilsonville. Wilsonville sits about 4 miles southwest
of Gillespie. The town was established in 1917 by the Superior Coal Company as a coal mine waas developed in the area. The
town was named after then President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson. Migrant workers quickly moved into the
area to work at the mine, allowing Wilsonville to peak at about 1,500 residents in the 1920s.
The townspeople realized the need for a quality education and immediately began a grade school. Wilsonville
Grade School served the town for many years. Graduates of Wilsonville Grade School would attend high school in Gillespie.
We are not certain when, but the Wilsonville Grade School has been closed. The building has been razed as well,
only a memorial with the school bell remains to mark this bit of history. ( http://macoupinctygenealogy.org/history/wilsonville.html )
Yorktown Grade School
Yorktown Grade School Building 2013
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
Yorktown Grade School
Yorktown (population approximately 100) is located in northwestern Illinois in the
far northwestern corner of Bureau County. Illinois Route 92 is the main roadway to and from Yorktown. The town is situated
about five miles southwest of Tampico, the birthplace of President Ronald Reagan.
The first school in Yorktown was built in 1850. It is believed the Yorktown school was active through the
1960s. The kids of Yorktown attended Tampico High School until that District consolidated with Prophetstown High School, where
the kids of Yorktown currently attend. ( http://www.tampicohistoricalsociety.com/Yorktown_Bureau_Co_History.html ) The brick grade school building still stands in Yorktown and is in very good shape, as you can see in the photo above.
Zearing Berlin Center Grade School
Zearing Berlin Center Grade School Building 2010
Photo Submitted by Dennis Downey
Zearing (population approximtely 75) is located in northwestern Illinois in the southeast
portion of Bureau County. Zearing is located on County Highway 19 at the intersection of 2050 Avenue North. Illinois Route
34 passes about 2 miles to the northwest of Zearing. The Burlington, Northern, & Santa Fe Railroad line travels through
Zearing. Zearing is about two miles northeast of Malden, and about 10 miles northeast of Princeton.
The Berlin Center School building pictured above is standing on 2030 Avenue North Road about a half mile
southwest of Zearing. It was razed in 2015, and once held classes for grades 1 - 8. It may have held one or two years of high
school at one time as well. The kids of Zearing attended Malden High School until that district was absorbed into the Princeton School District.
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