The History of Kinmundy High School
Kinmundy (population 892) is located in south-central Illinois in the northeastern portion of Marion
County. Illinois Route 37 is the main road in and out of Kinmundy. Interstate Highway 57 runs just to the west of Kinmundy
and even has exit ramps to Kinoka Road, about 1 mile southwest of town. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad runs parallel to
Illinois Route 37 as it passes through the heart of Kinmundy. There is a lake to the southwest of town and several creeks
and rivers on each side of Kinmundy as well.
We did locate a website with some very comprehensive information on the history of Kinmundy and its school
system. You can view the website at http://www.geocities.com/fostertownship/iKinmundyTownship.html. The site was developed by Stephen Frakes in 1991. A summary of the educational progress in Kinmundy is as follows:
Kinmundy was platted in 1857. The first school building was built in Kinmundy in 1857
as well. It was a wooden structure that served the town for over 40 years. As Kinmundy grew to a population of 1,200
in 1868 and to a high of 1,500 residents in 1908, it was decided a new building was needed. In 1910, Kinmundy built
a brick high school building. The year 1924 saw the addition of a gymnasium to the "new" building. Kinmundy supported
its own high school through the early 1950's. According to Mr. Frakes, the year was 1953 when Kinmundy residents joined
forces with those of Alma to form the Kinmundy-Alma School District. There is a sort of discrepency here as the IHSA
website address http://www.ihsa.org/school/records/sum0603.htm shows that Kinmundy-Alma High School enjoyed its first basketball season in 1944-45. In any case, the consolidation became
a reality.
Kinmundy-Alma High School was located in Kinmundy. The original high school building built in
1910 was razed in 1978, making way for a new building. In 1989, Kinmundy-Alma HS joined the Farina LaGrove HS forces
to form the South Central School District. The high school is located in Farina with Kinmundy still hosting
the elementary and junior high schools for the South Central School District.
Kinmundy High School Quick Facts
Year 1st School opened: 1857
Year brick HS building built: 1910
Year gymnasium added: 1924
Year consolidated with Alma: 1953 (Kinmundy-Alma High School)
Kinmundy HS nickname: the "Hornets"
School colors:
Purple & White
School Fight Song:
"We're Loyal to You KHS"
University of Illinois Fight Song Tune
We're loyal to you K.H.S.
We're purple and white, K.H.S.
We'll back you to stand
'Gainst the best in the land
For
we know you have sand, K.H.S.
Rah!
Rah!
So crack out the ball, K.H.S.
We're backing you all, K.H.S.
Our team is our fame protector:
On!
Boys for we expect a
Victory from you K.H.S.!
