Hooppole High School Ponies

Hooppole High School

Picture Taken in 1955 - Thank You to Neil Wolf

Hooppole School

Hooppole High School

The History of Hooppole High School

Hooppole is a quiet town of about 200 people located in northwestern Illinois on Illinois Route 78 approximately 8 miles north of Interstate Highway 80 and about 30 miles east of Moline. The old Hooppole, Yorktown, Tampico Railroad served the community for several years through its closing in the late 1940s. The original Railroad Depot for the Hooppole train line is pictured at the bottom of this page.

Hooppole High School was formed in the late 1800s and served the community proudly until its closing in 1948. The Hooppole School District was annexed into the Annawan School District. Mary Ellen (Doubler) Frank tells us the Hooppole school served as a K - 6 school through at least 1959-60.school year. We know at some point the Hooppole school buildings were razed. A smaller school building was constructed (probably in the 1960s, see photo at bottom of page) and utilized to host grades 1 and 2 for the Annawan School District.

Hooppole School Courtyard - 1953

Submitted by Mary Ellen (Doubler) Frank

Annawan built an all-inclusive school in 1974. As pointed out by Terry Rosebeck, the school building in Hooppole continued hosting 1st and 2nd grade classes until it was closed in the spring of 1979. That building is now used for a private business.

Hooppole maintains its quiet atmosphere except for one weekend each summer during the annual Hooppole "Fun Days".

Hooppole High School "Quick Facts"

Year Organized: Believed to be late 1800s

Year Closed: 1948

School Nickname: the "Ponies"

School Colors: Purple & Gold

Year All School Functions Closed: 1979

School Fight Song: Not Available

Hooppole High School "Courtyard View" Sketch

Gymnasium on the left, School on the right. (Neil Wolf Photo)

Athletics

Basketball

Hooppole High School offered basketball, baseball, and track during the 1930s and 1940s. The school competed in what was known as "The Little Four Conference" which included Mineral, Annawan, and Atkinson. The basketball team did not win any IHSA hardware but was known for their competitive nature. Hooppole's basketball record for the 1940-41 season was 2 - 13 according one old newspaper clipping.

If any further information is known regarding the Hooppole High School basketball program please complete a School Submission Form or e-mail this site with the address provided below.

Track and Field

Hooppole High School also competed in track and field in the Little Four Conference. One article written in 1941 lists the Hooppole grade school tracksters as having won the Conference championship scoring 29.5 point to Mineral's 24. Atkinson claimed third with 4.5 points and Annawan fourth with 4 points. This would seem to have meant good athletic seasons to come in the mid-1940s.

MEMORIES

**From Mary Ellen Doubler Frank:

"I believe I received a wonderful education at Hooppole Grade. I remember sitting out under the trees reading poetry with Mrs. Eldrenkamp...other teachers..Ruth Hanchett, Gladys Pont, Berniece West, Mrs. Ruth Eldrenkamp , Rita Wannemacher and William Rhodenbaugh. Cafeteria cooks...Janet Sprague, Alice Blackert...my brain can't think of any others, but there were....and the custodians...Oscar Munson and John Metzner...all the bus drivers...Pete Atwell, Leo Doubler, Genevive Simpson....and more...It was a wonderful time in my life...and I am thankful to everyone who educated us and loved us."

Hooppole School Class Photo - 1953

Submitted by Mary Ellen (Doubler) Frank

Hooppole School Class Photos - 1953

Courtesy of Mary Ellen (Doubler) Frank

**From Julie Vandersnick:

"My best memory of Hooppole was having to eat everything on your plate at lunch or you couldn't go to recess - so kids got creative in how to get rid of things they didn't like. The empty milk carton was the best if you didn't get caught by Mrs. Seyller!"

Seeking More Information

If anyone has further information regarding Hooppole High School including sports records, coaches, and especially photos of the former high school building please complete the School Submission Form or e-mail us at:

ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net

Hooppole High School Diploma

Class of 1937 - Robert L. Shere

Backside of Above Diploma - 1937

Note - 12 Graduates!

Leather Holder for Above Diploma

Hooppole Grade School

Closed 1979

Hooppole Railroad Depot

Hooppole, Illinois