The History of Dewmaine High School
Dewmaine (population 0) is located in the southeastern portion of Illinois in the north-central
portion of Williamson County. Dewmaine is located about 10 miles northeast of Carbondale. County Road 10 (aka Carterville-Colp
Road) is the main roadway to and from Dewmaine. It connects to Illinois Route 13 just 3 miles to the south. Carterville is
about 1 mile south of Dewmaine and Herrin is about 2 miles to the northwest.
A very nice history of Dewmaine is found at the web address of
Dewmaine was created in 1898 when mine owner Samuel Bush recruited African American miners
from Sweetwater, Tennessee to relocate to an area just north of Carterville to work in one of his mines. The miners numbered
about 200, and over the next two years were joined by several others. The mining camp was named Dewmaine in honor of Admiral
Dewey and the battleship U.S.S. Maine.
Dewmaine grew from a mining camp to a town in two years. A post office was established in 1901. Several
businesses were soon established as well. A school, two churches, and several stores were in operation. The mine was producing
at full capacity and the miners were doing well financially.
The mine was prosperous for over 20 years. However the coal began to run out and the mine was
closed in 1923. Many of the residents continued to live in Dewmaine and farm. However, slowly residents began to move away.
The post office closed in 1931. By the middle 1960s only one of the original houses that were part of Dewmaine was still occupied.
Dewmaine High School was established in the early 1900s, probably by 1910. Classes graduated from the school
until the 1930, when the final high school ceremony was held. The principal at the school when it was closed was Professor
Penn. All high school-aged children were then bused to Carbondale to attend Attucks High School. Dewmaine Grade School continued in operation for several more years until eventually it, too, was closed.
Today all that remains of Dewmaine is its cemetery. It is listed as a ghost town in many publications that
record such things.
Dewmaine High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
early 1900s
Year closed:
1930
School team nickname: unavailable
School team colors: unavailable
School Fight Song: unavailable
