Ipava High School Bulldogs

Ipava High School

Ipava, Illinois

Ipava High School Building 1940s

Postcards from Ipava 1846-1996" Self-published - John H. Burgard - Ipava. (Submitted by John Bybee)

Ipava High School Early 1900s

Postcards from Ipava 1846-1996" Self-published - John H. Burgard - Ipava. (Submitted by John Bybee)

The History of Ipava High School

Ipava (population 506) is located in western Illinois in southwestern Fulton County. U.S. Route 136 is the "main drag" in town and connects it with Macomb located 22 miles to the northwest. It also connects Ipava with Table Grove located 6 miles to the west. The railroad that curves through town was the CB&Q Railroad which merged into the BN Railroad and eventially became the BNSF Railroad.

The first school building built in Ipava was a stone building built in 1830. Another building was built in the 1850's and the first high school class graduated in 1884: Ruthie David, Birdie Bell Babcock, Mary McCune and Loretta David.

Ipava High School - Fulton County History 1969

Submitted by John Bybee

It is known that Ipava supported its own school system for about five decades. In the mid-1940s talks arose of a consolidation of the school districts in Ipava, Table Grove, and Vermont. This became a reality in 1948 with the creation of the Vermont-Ipava-Table Grove School District. The entire school system is located near Table Grove and is known today as the Table Grove V.I.T. School District.

Ipava HS Memorial Marker ("1896")

Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen 2012

The Ipava school hosted grades 1 - 6 for the VIT school district for several years after the consolidation. In the 1970s a new elementary school was built near the high school. The Ipava school building served as a senior citizens center for a short while before being razed..

Ipava High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1884

Year closed: 1947

Consolidated to: Vermont-Ipava-Table Grove School District (VIT)

School nickname: the "Bulldogs"

School colors: Blue & Gold

School Fight Song: "On Ipava"

Sung to "On Wisconsin"

Ipava HS Basketball Schedule 1929-30

Submitted by Beau Spencer (left click on photo for larger view)

Athletics

Ipava High School succeeded in winning IHSA hardware (www.ihsa.org) in boys basketball. This is, however, the only mention of the former high school on that site. It is probable that baseball and track were also offered for the boys.

Boys Basketball

Ipava High won a total of four District titles during their existence. All four titles were won in the 1940s, and remember, Ipava HS closed her doors in 1947. Four titles in eight years....not bad!! Unfortunately the records and coach's names of the teams are not known. We are also interested in the many great teams that may not have won IHSA hardware (conference champs, winning records, ect.). Please e-mail us if you have this information.

1939-40 District Champions

1940-41 District Champions

1944-45 District Champions

1945-46 District Champions

The origin of the Basketball team can date back prior to 1915. According to the book Fulton County History, the head coach was a man named Kline and his players were named H. Roddis, G. Roddis, Morrison, Baumgartner, Davis and Rose.

Memories

Submitted by John Barrett:

"Under the Ipava High School site comparing the dates under the basketball trophy years the name Paul Fouts isn't listed. I believe he is the main reason that Ipava had those good teams. He was a once-in-a-lifetime athlete to come out of a school that size, he went on to play minor league ball for the Chicago White Sox."

Seeking Your Help

Ipava High School had many individuals who worked hard to keep the school functioning in Ipava prior to their merger. Their efforts and accomplishments should not allowed to be forgotten. If you have any information about Ipava High School, especially a photo of the old high school building, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Ipava Baseball Field 2012

Submitted by John Bybee