The History of Makanda High School
Makanda (population 419) is located in southeastern Illinois in the far southeast corner
of Jackson County. Makanda sits on County Highway 29 at Baptist Hill Road. The Illinois Central Railroad travels through
the heart of Makanda. U.S. Route 51 is about 1 mile to the west of town. Makanda is approximately 5 miles
due south of Carbondale.
A nice history of Makanda can be viewed at the web address of http://villageofmakanda.com/history.html . In summary, the article states that Makanda was extablished in 1845 and incorporated as an official Illinois
village in 1888. The Illinois Central Railroad line was the main reason for the town's early prosperity. The town
was named after a local Indian Chief of the time in the 1870s. Makanda was said to have thrived for several years until
the shipping of foods via train to Chicago became less valued.
We are only aware of a high school being available to Makanda kids from a photo found on the internet by
our good friend Adam Rosoho. This photo is found at the web address of
http://genealogytrails.com/ill/jackson/1926_makanda_high_school_photo.htm . The photo depicts the high school class of 1926 at Makanda High School. Our guess is that Makanda
High School was a 2 or 3 year high school which began in the early 1920s and likley closed in the late 1940s.
It is possible our assumptions are wrong however, and we encourage you to write to us if you have further details to share.
We are not certain if the school building in Makanda is still standing. We do not believe that Makanda
continues to have a school in the town. It is likely the children of Makanda now attend school in Carbondale.
Makanda High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
1920s?
Year closed:
1940s?
Consolidated to: Carbondale
High School
MHS Team nickname: unavailable
MHS Team colors: unavailable
MHS School Fight Song: unavailable
