The History of Bowen High School
The village of Bowen is located in the southeastern corner of Hancock County in western Illinois. The town
has a population of 535 residents and is located at the intersection of Il. Rt. 61 and Il. Rt. 94 approximately 35 miles northeast
of Quincy.
It is not known at this time what year the school system was begun. The Bowen school system held strong
for several years until a consolidation effort with nearby Augusta was started. The consolidation effort became
a reality in 1970 when the two districts merged to form Southeastern High School. The high school building
in Augusta is used for the high school students. The former Bowen High School building now serves as the Middle school
for the Southeastern School District.
Bowen High School Quick Facts
Year school opened: late 1800s
Year school deactivated: 1970
Consolidated to: Southeastern
School District (Augusta)
School nickname: the "Bulldogs"
School colors:
Purple & Gold
School Fight Song: "Onward Bulldogs"
University of Wisconsin Fight Song Tune
Courtesy of Cheryl O'Halloran
Athletics
The Bowen athletic teams were the mightiest of the small schools in Hancock County when it came to the sport
of basketball. Bowen has also had success in boys baseball. Their best seasons are listed below.
We need your help in gaining the coach's names and the records of the various teams. We are also searching for the school's
fight song.
Boy's Basketball
We understand that Bowen High School's gym was "unique". Small in stature with a few rows of
permanent wooden bleachers on each side. Pillars holding up the ceiling would obstruct some fan's views.
The Bulldogs didn't allow this to effect their accomplishments.
The teams from Bowen took home an AMAZING 18 District titles. Included in
this were also three regional titles and one sectional title. Going even farther the Bowen boys of
1953-54 made it all the way to the Elite 8 of the state tournament. Incredible considering the one class system
they competed in then. Their loss in the state tournament that year was to Chicago DuSable, a school probably 10 - 15
times their size!
1936-37 N.R.A. District Champions
1938-39 N.R.A. District Champions
1939-40 N.R.A. District Champions
1944-45 N.R.A. District Champions
1949-50 N.R.A. District Champions
1950-51 N.R.A. Regional Champions
1951-52 N.R.A. District Champions
1952-53 N.R.A. District Champions
Regional
Champions
Hancock County Tourney Champs
1953-54 30 - 3 Elite
8 Qualifier!!
Coach Jim Lewis
Hancock County Tourney Champs
District
Champions
Regional
Champions
Sectional
Champions
1955-56 N.R.A. District Champions
1957-58 N.R.A. District Champions
1958-59 N.R.A. District Champions
1959-60 N.R.A. District Champions
1961-62 N.R.A. District Champions
1962-63 N.R.A. District Champions
1963-64 N.R.A. District Champions
1964-65 N.R.A. District Champions
Hancock County Tourney Champs
1969-70 N.R.A. District Champions
WHEW!!!!!!!!!!
Boy's Baseball
1940-41 N.R.A. District Champions
Memories & Facts
From Cheryl O'Halloran (Class of 1965):
"I graduated from Bowen High School, Bowen Illinois in
1965. Our school colors were purple and gold and the school song was "Onward Bulldogs" The picture you have (at the top of
the page) is the old school building not the brick building which was the last Bowen High. By the way, I love this site
and appreciate all the work it has taken."
From
Further Information Being Sought
We are seeking further information regarding other sports and facts you would like to share about Bowen
High School. We are especially interested in a photo of the high school building. If you are interested in providing
more information about Bowen HS please complete a School Submission form or write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write us at the following address:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631
