The History of Broadwell High School
Broadwell (population 169) is located in the central portion of Illinois in the west central
area of Logan County. Broadwell is located just east of Interstate Highway 55 about 6 miles south of Lincoln. The
original and famous U.S. Route 66 traveled through Broadwell as does County Highway 12. The Southern Pacific Railroad
line passes through Broadwell too. Broadwell is best known for its once famous restaurant, the Pig Hip, which was a well-known
stop along the orignal U.S. Route 66.
The town was established in 1856 and is named after one of its founders, William Broadwell. Broadwell
was, at one time, a center for livestock and grain hauling. The town has kept a fairly even population over
the years.
Broadwell residents began a school system for their children very early in the town's existence. On
a recent trip to Broadwell, we spoke with local historian, and owner of the now-closed Pig Hip Inn restaurant, Ernie Edwards. Ernie
told us that he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1936 and moved to Broadwell in 1937. He recalls that through the
1930s and 1940s Broadwell School offered a 2 year high school course of study. Students who wished to continue their
education at a 4 year high school could do so at Lincoln High. Broadwell High School likely was discontinued in the
late 1940s as were all 2 and 3 year high schools in Illinois.
The Broadwell Grade School continued to serve the town and surrounding area for many years more. It
was in the late 1980s or possibly the early 1990s that Broadwell Grade School also closed her doors. The Broadwell
school building today serves as an apartment building and parts of it can be rented for parties.
Boadwell High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
1920s?
Year closed:
1940s?
Consolidated to:
Lincoln High School
Broadwell HS team nickname: Unavailable
Broadwell HS team colors: Unavailable
School Fight Song:
Unavailable
