The History of Cullom High School
Cullom (population 563) is located in upper-eastern Illinois about 20 miles east of Pontiac. This
places Cullom in the east-central portion of Livingston County. The main roadway taking you to and from Cullom is Illinois
Route 116. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad owns tracks that travel through Cullom. A branch of the North Fork
of the Vermillion River flows through the east side of town as well.
The history of Cullom is in need of research. We understand that Cullom began an
educational system for its students in 1857 at a private home in Sullivan Township, which is where Cullom is located
in the county. A high school curriculum was established by the late 1800's as a two-year extension of the grade
school. The first high school, called Sullivan Township High School, existed for one year only from 1916-17, but was
declated invalid because taxes were not paid and teachers were not compensated for their services. However, eight people did
graduate that year.
The Cullom Community High School district was formed in 1929 and operated until its closure in 1968 when
it merged with Kempton-Cabery and the Emington Community school district to form the Tri-Point school district.
Gerald Buckler provided us with information he obtained from a 1961 Cullom High School
yearbook. This year book lists graduates of Cullom High School beginning in 1900. This would indicate that the
Cullom school district began offering some sort of high school curriculum at least by the year 1898. Number of students
listed as graduating, by year of graduation, are also found in the yearbook. The numbers are as follows:
1900-2; 1901-4; 1902-5; 1903-4; 1904-0; 1905-4; 1906-4; 1907-6; 1908-7;
1909-8.(which included Bessie Donahue who went on after college to become the choral music teacher in Cullom
and area country schools and teaching private piano lessons for many, many years.) 1910-0; 1911-1; 1912-2; 1913-3; 1914-0;
1915-9.(which included graduate Hazel Haag Magee who after college taught for years in the Cullom Grade School);
1916-4; 1917-8; 1918-11; 1919-4; 1920-6; 1921-2; 1922-7; 1923-9; 1924-16; 1925-13; 1926-14; 1927-14; 1928-10; 1929-8; 1930-9;
1931-23; 1932-23; 1933-20; 1934-24; 1935-20; 1936-30; 1937-16; 1938-28;
1939-21; 1940-27.
Gerald tells us that "classes pretty much ran between 15
and 25 thru the rest of the 1961 Yearbook Record. No one was listed as killed or missing in WWI. Wilmer
Aellig, Class of 1941 was the only one listed as killed in action during WWII."
Our good fan Scott Gleeson provided some excellent
research and found that the consolidation effort took place prior to the start of the school year of 1968. Scott
goes on to tell us that:
"In the first yearbook of Tri-Point HS, a saying sticks out that states "in unity there is strength."
In unity, the Tri-Point School District has lasted through the years even to today. Basketball games and volleyball games
are sensational at Tri-Point as it is a small-town atmosphere at its best. The gym is small and the fans sit nearly
on top of you as you play. I really enjoy the small town atmosphere and the great pride and emotion this
atmosphere brings to athletics that comes from each community involved."
The high school for the Tri-Point District was located in Cullom. We are not sure if the original
Cullom HS building still exists or is in use today. The Tri-Point District is still going strong.
Cullom High School Quick Facts
First school opened:
1857
Two-year HS classes began: 1898
Year opened as Sullivan Township. HS: 1916
Formation of Cullom Community HS: 1929
Year closed: 1968
Consolidated to: Tri-Point
School District (Cullom)
Cullom HS team nickname:
the "Ramblers"
Team colors:
Blue & White
School Fight Song:
"Cullom Loyalty"
Provided by Gerald Buckler
When our dear Cullom High boys fall in line,
We're going to win again another time
For C.C.H.S. standards and its name
Its honor and true sportsmanship
We'll win the game.
So let us fight, fight, fight for every gain
And
put our school right in the Hall of Fame
We'll do our best when put to every test,
Yes our Best!!!
RAH! RAH! RAH!
Seeking a Yearbook
I am trying to obtain either a 1990 or 1989 yearbook from Tri-Point High
School. I'm sorry for the intrusion, but I'm wondering if you might be able to help?
Athletics
We know there was boys' basketball and football in the Cullom Rambler program. We are confident
track and baseball were offered. The Ramblers competed in the Vermillion Valley Conference, and was one of the founding
members of the organization that originally featured schools eastern Livingston County.
