The
History of Odell High School
Odell (population 1,014) is located in upper eastern Illinois in north central Livingston
County. One of Odell's "claims to fame" is its one-time busiest street, the historic Route 66. Today,
it is Interstate Highway 55 which runs by the west side of town. Odell sits almost directly between Pontiac and
Dwight (about eight miles from each). The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad also runs alongside Historic Highway 66.
Odell was formed in 1867, though it was unofficially occupied since 1854. It was then that its namesake,
William Odell, and another man, Henry Gardner, owned the land that the village was sitting
on. Mr. Gardner and S.S. Morgan platted the town around what was then known as the Chicago & Alton
Railroad.
Schooling in Odell traces its roots back as early as 1857 in Pleasant Ridge Township, then the
first public school was built in 1858. High School classes were not offered until 1866 when two years of post-eighth
grade classes were offered. The first class of four-year graduates did not begin until after a "new" building was erected
in 1882. This building stood tall until 1904 when it was torn down to make way for a "more modern" structure. This
school building lasted a mere four years until it burned down in 1908.
A new building was finished in 1909. An agricultural shop was added to the facilities in 1952 and a gym
was added to the school in 1957. The buildings served the educational needs of the Odell students for nearly
80 years. Declining enrollment and financial issues took their toll. In 1987, the town's residents decided to close the
doors of Odell High.
The high school-aged students now attend either Pontiac or Dwight High Schools. Odell Grade School
still educates the Pre-K thru 8th grade students in town. The high school building was demolished soon after the
school's deactivation. All that remains of Odell High is the gymnasium and ag shop building, which are either connected or
are a short walk from the grade school building (see building at bottom of page).
Odell High School Quick Facts
Year 2-year high school offered: 1866
Year 4-year high school offered: 1882
Year 1st HS building built: 1882
Year 2nd HS building built: 1904
Year final HS building built: 1909
Year ag building built: 1952
Year gymnasium added: 1957
Year High School closed: 1987 (school building
demolished)
School nickname: the
"Rams" & "RamGals"
School colors: Green
& White (Gold trim added in 1972 to honor closing of St. Paul HS)
School Fight Song: "Odell
Fight Song"
(Special thank you to Rita Clark
for providing the words to this song
From a 1958 Odell HS yearbook.)
To Odell Hi the
school we love, we sing our song of praise,
To all her many
victories won, and high her banners raise.
We'll glorify
our Alma Mater work for her with zest and show
To all the world
around, that Odell Hi is best.
So let's join
in a cheer, while we're all gathered here
Cheer for OCHS.
We are ready
to fight, for the green and white
Of dear OCHS.
For her honor
and fame, and her glorious name
She will stand every test
So let's cheer,
cheer, the gang's all here
We're
all out for OCHS.
From Joe Foley, Odell HS class of 1977:
"I attended Odell High School from 1973-1977. At that time our fight song was a variation
of " On Wisconsin" that we sang as "On Odell"."
ON ODELL, ON ODELL
FIGHT RIGHT PAST THAT LINE
PASS THE BALL STRAIGHT
DOWN THE LINE BOYS
BASKET SURE THIS TIME
RAH! RAH! RAH!
ON ODELL, ON ODELL
FIGHT RIGHT FOR HER FAME
FIGHT FELLOWS FIGHT
AND WE WILL WIN THIS GAME
RAH! RAH! RAH!
RAH! RAH! RAH!
YEA ODELL!
)