Hindsboro High School

The History of Hindsboro High School

Hindsboro (population 361) is located in lower eastern Illinois about 35 miles south and a little east of Champaign. The town is located in southeastern Douglas County on Illinois Route 133 two miles east of Illinois Route 130. The Prairie Central Railroad shadows Route 133 through town. Branches of the Deer Creek flow by the east and west sides of town.

According to the Illinois Trails web page http://www.iltrails.org/douglas/arcolarecord.html Hindboro'shistory dates back to the mid 1880s. The town is named after the owners of the farnland it was platted on, Frank and Pleasant Hinds. The Paris & Decatur Railroad laid tracks through the Hinds land and Frank decided ot build a grain building near the tracks. The town soon began to build itself. The first school building was erected in 1885 and the town soon became a bustling metropolis of 400 "souls".

An excellent history of Hindsboro High School was provided to us by David Kent Coy. It is printed in its entirety below:

Souvenir Edition

HINDSBORO HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY

1909-1951

(Second Edition)

Including a short history of the school, school colors, nickname, songs, yearbooks, newspapers, activities and organizations, sports; a course of study from 1921, a list of 208 teachers and staff members; a few of the school board members; and a class listing of the more than approximately 555 of the former students and graduates, including those who went to either Arcola or Oakland High Schools, etc. after consolidation in 1948.

First Edition Compiled for the 80^th Anniversary of the first graduating class of 1909

Second Edition Compiled for the 100^th Anniversary of the first graduating class of 1909

David Kent Coy

123 North 20^th Street

Decatur, Illinois 62521-2114

Email: davidkentcoy@peoplepc.com

First Edition Dedicated to my maternal grandfather, Class of 1925

CLIFFORD ANTHONY STRADER

(1906-1997)

IN APPRECIATION OF HIS ORAL HISTORY CONTRIBUTION

Second Edition Dedicated to my Mother, Class of 1950-A

MYRA JOY (STRADER) COY

IN APPRECIATION OF HER TYPING THIS INTO THE COMPUTER

First Edition Printed 20 June 1989, Charleston, Illinois

Second Edition Printed 10 June 2009, Decatur, Illinois

INTRODUCTION

(Slightly Updated in 2009)

Being a good listener and having an inquisitive mind are two qualities that most genealogists/historians need. Belonging to a long-lived family, most of whom have those qualities, plus the wonderful habit of saving things, certainly assisted this compiler in assembling this history of the Hindsboro, Douglas County, Illinois, high school.

My maternal grandparents graduated from the Hindsboro High School with the class of 1925. They were high school sweethearts and remained close to their classmates. Names like Odell Petty, Chase Bradford, Lucille Kirchner, and Gladys Mishler, etc., were peppered throughout my many conversations with my grandparents. I “hounded” them for details on our family history, on the history of their childhoods, and on the history of Hindsboro and Bowdre Township. I was fortunate that they both were very social, community-involved people, who also enjoyed reminiscing about the past and especially about the people and community so important to them. Oral history is their contribution.

My grandfather’s second wife, Mabel Estel (Jolley) Little Strader, was a life-long resident of the same community and also contributed greatly to this work. Her patience and home-cooked meals were especially beneficial when I was grilling my then 83 year old grandfather about details that most people had forgotten 50 or 60 years ago.

My mother and her older sister, both of whom helped, especially with the classes in the 1940’s and 50’s, especially deserve to be acknowledged.

Many other people also assisted assembling this material. Some of the others are: Frieda Baxter Clapp, Tyrrhene Howrey (still alive at 102), the late Georgine McDonald, the late Hazel Brown, the late Glendon & Bettye Bennett, my late great-aunt, Thelma Garnet (Strader) Tippett, my late great-aunt Waneta Angeline (Strader) McNabb, the late Olive Dague, the late Olive Brockman, and Sheryl Snyder and Barbara Kreihbel of the Charleston Public Library, the Decatur Genealogical Society Library, all those individuals who put their family history data into the publications mentioned in the bibliography, all the cemetery caretakers, especially my late uncle, Allen Clifford Strader at the Arcola cemetery, and probably many others I can’t think of right now.

Believe me, there are many errors, typing mistakes, spelling problems (spell check helped), and so on. Oftentimes I was up typing the original of this thing at 2 or 4 a.m., after working a 10 or 12 hour day. That shouldn’t be an excuse, but it is a partial explanation . Please send your corrections and additions in to me and I will try to make the needed corrections. Please be careful, though. Some things that may appear to be a mistake are not. Ralph McNabb’s middle name is “Druce,” and his mother is named “Ninnie,“ not Bruce and Minnie.

One of the reasons I felt it was time to throw together this history was that I realized that if I live an average life-span of say 71 or so years, I will probably witness the last graduate of Hindsboro High School passing away before me. The last graduating class was in 1948, over 61 years ago. Most of the earlier classes are already gone; though Mrs. Leah Cuppy, Class of 1909, the first graduating class, didn’t pass away until 1987, almost 78 years after she received her diploma. The school produced many fine citizens, many of whom also went on to college (many at Eastern Illinois University).

I have many happy memories of Hindsboro. I can remember back to my maternal great-grandparents, born between 1880 and 1887, all of whom had a residence in Hindsboro at one time or another. I can remember Mrs. Maude (Alvis) Bower, and Mrs. Rosalie (Downs) Slater, who were both even older that my great-grandparents. I am a long-distance member of the Hindsboro Christian Church, (in fact a 6 generation member), and I have many strong, pleasant, sunny memories of summers spent in or near Hindsboro. It is my hope that this publication will assist in the preservation of some of these nice memories and that perhaps it will spur on more memories and more preservation.

David Kent Coy

A HISTORY OF HINDSBORO COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

The following history of the Hindsboro High School was taken from the yearbooks of 1921, 1944, and 1946, with a short ending by the compiler.

The Hindsboro Community High School was established in 1900 when the subjects, Botany, Algebra, Bookkeeping, General History, and English were added to the Grade School curriculum. Latin was introduced in 1904, under the direction of Mr. A. Skidmore.

A new district was formed in 1906 and was known as the Hindsboro Union School District Number 100. The first Board of Directors was elected in June, 1906, and consisted of the following individuals: W.D. Craig, W.E. Foster, and Ernest Eversole. A contract was let for the construction of a new school building, which was finished and ready for use by November 1907. The old school building was located across from the present Hindsboro Christian Church.

In 1907-08 there were 14 pupils enrolled and the faculty consisted of one teacher, Samuel T. Walker. The following year, the enrollment had increased until it was necessary for the grammar grade teacher, Miss Coffey, to assist the superintendent in the work of instruction.

It was realized that no courses such as Manual Training (Industrial Arts), and Domestic Science (Home Economics) could be offered because of the limited building space. Also, there was no provision for organized athletics and the many other activities of an average high school. The residents of the community voted to increase the size of the school district and create a new school, known as Hindsboro Community High School.

In the spring of 1920, a new Board of Directors, composed of W.C. Watson, A.T. Porterfield, W.H. Hemingway, E.C. Crawford, and J.W. Andrews was elected. The new building was then modern in many ways. It contained a large auditorium and gymnasium, well equipped laboratories and class rooms. The school system was then recognized by the Accrediting Committee of the State University, as well as the State Department of Education. The high school addition was completed in 1921.

In the years after 1920, the building was remodeled and redecorated many times. The library, which was large and well equipped for a school no larger that Hindsboro High School, was moved from in front of the assembly room to a room of its own in 1940.

In the fall of 1942, a school bus was purchased to help bring in the students, who lived far from town. In 1943, another bus was added. These buses were driven by O.L. “Jackie” Bradford, Bruce Douglas, and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Manning.

With the acquisition of some new territory, the enrollment had reached 74 by 1946. However, the enrollment was small compared to other nearby schools, and the high school students were transferred to either Arcola or Oakland after the Class of 1948 graduated. The grade school was eventually closed in the 1960’s.

In 1970, Rev. and Mrs. D.A. May bought the building and opened a shelter-care home, that continued in operation past 1989. Several former students of the Hindsboro High School resided with the Mays, living and some dying, in their former High School building. After Mrs. May’s death, the building went to the Hindsboro Christian Church and was soon sold. It is currently being used for housing.

A school reunion has been held on and off since about 1967, with many former students, and teachers, returning to enjoy a pleasant time of old memories. Many individual classes have held anniversary reunions, also.

HINDSBORO HIGH SCHOOL

School Colors: Yale Blue and White Nickname: Blue Devils School Songs: Apparently the original school song was: “WE’RE LOYAL TO YOU,HINDSBORO, H.H.S.” The 1944 yearbook says the words to the song “were never written down but just passed down the line from mouth to mouth.” This I can believe, as I have not found these words and probably won’t, as in 1944, the yearbook states “half or more of the High School students didn’t know it.” And that was 65 years ago!

The 1944 yearbook states that a new school song was taken from the Clipper Band Book, the “On Schedule March,” written by George H. Sanders. The words for the new school song entitled “HINDSBORO HIGH” were written by Norma Douglas.

HINDSBORO HIGH

On, on to be the victors

Let this now be our new battle cry.

Fight, Fight until we beat them

Keep on fighting for Hindsboro High

So, it’s on, on to be victors

Fight for her name and for her fame.

Hindsboro High, Hindsboro High

We’ll win, we’ll win for Hindsboro High.

HINDSBORO HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY

(taken from the 1921 annual - *(taken from the 1921-22 catalog)

FRESHMAN

First Term - Required: English, Algebra, Physical Geography/Physiography*. Elective: (choose one) Latin, Ancient History, Agriculture*

Second Term - Required: English, Algebra, PhysicalGeography/Physiology*. Elective: Latin, Ancient History/Agricuilture*

SOPHOMORE

First Term - Required: English, Geometry/Plane Geometry*, Latin, Ancient History*. Elective (choose one) Med. And Mod. History/Latin*, Zoology/Agriculture, A.H., 1921-22*; Ancient History/Domestic Science, 1921-22.

Second Term - Required: English, Geometry/Plane Geometry*, Latin, Ancient History*. Elective: Med. And Mod. History, Latin*, Botany/Agriculture/Domestic* .

JUNIOR

First Term - Required: English, Med. And Mod. History, Algebra, (and) Zoology*. Elective: (choose one) Commercial Arithmetic/Agriculture*, Civics/Domestic Science*

Second Term - Required: English, Med. And Mod. History, Commercial Geography (and) Botany*. Elective: Physical Geograpphy/Com. Arithmetic*, Solid Geometry, Economics, Domestic Science* (and) Agriculture.

SENIOR

First Term - Required: English, Physics, American Histsory/U.S.*. Elective: (choose one) Civics, Algebra/Domestic Science*, any elective in previous years, (and) Agriculture.

Second Term - Required: English, Physics, American History/U.S.* Elective: Solid Geometry/Domestic Science &, Civics, Economics*, any elective in previous years, (and) Agriculture.

Sixteen units are required for graduation.

Admission to High School is by eighth grade graduation diplomas or transference of credits from other high school of creditable standing. Grade tuition - $2.50 per month, in advance. A grade of 75 per cent is necessary to merit credit. The examination grade counts one-fifth and the daily grade four-fifths is the semester average.

School started at 9:00 A.M.., two classes, then a recess at 10:30 A.M., two more classes, with lunch at noon, two classes, a recess at 2:30 P.M., then two more classes, with dismissal at 4:00 P.M.

1990 ADDITIONS TO THE HINDSBORO HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY

In 1990 the late John Strader (1912-1996), Class of 1929, and his sister, Betty (Strader) Prosser, Class of 1930, now (2009) living at age 95, in Arizona, wrote down the words to the original Hindsboro High School Song. Betty says that as Senior, she was “the” cheerleader. The tune is that of the U. of I. Fight Song: “We’re Loyal To You.”

We’re loyal to you, H. H. S.

We’re white & we’re blue, H.H.S.

We’ll back you to stand

‘Gainst the best in the land

For we know you have sand, H.H.S.

Rah! Rah!

We’re white & we’re blue, H.H.S.

We’re backing you all, H.H.S.

Our team is our main protector

On boys, for we expect a

Victory from you, H.H.S.

Betty wrote:…”I’m sure we’ve missed parts of it, but it sounds right.” I’m glad to get this as, the 1944 Yearbook stated that the words were never written down and that half the students didn’t know the song. Thanks, Uncle John and Aunt Betty.

The class Photo of 1946 listed the following people: John Barlow, Mary Clapp, Rosella Cochran, Charlotte Morris, Jeannine Newell, Granville Ramsey, Charles Cottle, Lloyd Cox, Ethel Draper, Harlan Rhoades, Jack Shields, Allen Strader, William Dutton, Beverly Starks Hunt, Jeanne Hayes Latimore, Sammye Swango, Margaret Taylor, and Charles Thomas - this list has several differences from the listings I had before.

Some other former students, who did not graduate, but who attended Hindsboro High School were: Minnie May (Conner) Waters Titus (1925-2002) daughter of Charles E. & Stella F. Conner; Thelma Garnet (Strader) Tippett (1904-1991) daughter of Alva Curtis & Maude Luesta (Sears) Strader - attended 2 years and had to drop out because of medical issues; William Casebeer of the Class of 1942, went to school in Hindsboro, but dropped out to enter the service during World War II, Lowell Arthur Greathouse (1907-2000) attended through his sophomore year, and Hazel L. ( Peck) Brown (1896-1998) daughter of Stephen Lafayette Peck and Myrta E. (Allen) Peck, who was probably one of the very oldest former students, when she died at the age of 102 years."

Jeff Mandrell provided this bit of information about the Hindsboro High School building's usage after the school was closed:

"Hindsboro High School building served as a grade school after the consolidation with Oakland. My dad taught in this building early in his career. The building was a nursing home for several years and is now owned by a seed corn company."

Hindsboro was featured in a Illinois schools journal from 1920. Here were some information furnished in the report:

No. of districts consolidated: 3

Square miles: 8.5

Assessed valuation: $450,640

Cost of house: $11,000

Annual tax levy: $6,500

Tax rate: 1.5

Annual tax levy before: $2,747

Teachers now: 7

Teachers before: 3

Enrollment now: 180

Enrollment before: 100

Enrollment in grade school: 120

Enrollment in high school: 60

No. studying agriculture: 10

No. studying home economics: 15

Aid from vocational fund: No

Public conveyance: No

Years of high school course: 4

Months in year: 9

Hindsboro School Reunion 2009

The Annual Hindsboro School Reunion was held at the Civic Center on Thursday, June 11, 2009 from around 11:30 a.m. until close to 3:00 p.m. Around 45 former students, family members, and friends attended, some from as far away as Indiana, Texas, and Arizona. The former classmates were greeted at the door by Mary Frances (Douglas) Van Voorhis, Class of 1941, who had them register and sign a name tag, which had a picture of the old school on it.

Donnie Douglas, Class of 1942 served as Emcee. He welcomed everyone and asked the Blessing before the group enjoyed a large potluck meal. There was plenty of visiting going on and lots of reminiscing about former high school days and events. After the delicious meal, each person introduced himself or herself, and some told a little bit more about themselves or their family. A collection was taken up for next year’s expenses. There were old yearbook albums, class photographs, and other Hindsboro School memorabilia on display.

Donnie Douglas introduced David Kent Coy, of Decatur, whose mother, and maternal grandparents had attended Hindsboro High School. In 1989 David had compiled a history of the Hindsboro School for the 80^th anniversary of the first graduating class. This year, he updated the history in honor of the 100^th anniversary of the first graduating class. Each person present was given a copy of the history and many enjoyed looking it over as David gave a short talk about some of the history of the school. There was a discussion about school board members and also about when the hot lunches and school bus service started, which was in the fall of 1942, with Nora Cox doing the cooking and Bruce Douglas driving the bus and Jackie Bradford driving a dark green Packard car, which was used to pick up about 8 students at a time. David also announced that Hindsboro High School is represented on an Internet website of closed Illinois high schools. The address is: www.illinoishsglorydays.com

The first graduating class was composed of three young women. They were: Vera “Pearl” Bacon (later Guinnip), Miss Bessie Mae Dickson, and Leanora Sombert “Leah” Purcell (later Cuppy.) They graduated from the old Hindsboro Opera House on May 31, 1909. There were two years when only one person graduated from Hindsboro High School. That included 1910, when Nellie E. Howard was the sole graduate and 1919, when Everett Payne was the only person to graduate. Over-all nearly 600 students graduated from Hindsboro High School and over 200 individuals were employed as teachers, principals, and staff. This was during the time frame of about 1907 to 1948 when the high school consolidated with Arcola and Oakland.

Those attending this year’s reunion included: Terry Shields (Class of 1949 – Arcola) and his wife, Wanda of Kemp; Shirley (Shields) Jackson (Class of 1944) of Champaign, with a visiting granddaughter from Denmark; Bob Clapp (Class of 1944) and his bride of 62 years, Freda Clapp of near Newman; Paul “Doc” Wingler (Class of 1944) and his wife, Martha of Arcola; Dorothy (Thomas) Aspergren (Class of 1940) of Hindsboro, Jean Ann (Powers) Cottle (Class of 1942) of Paris; Gene and Eileen (Ogden) Wingler of near Oakland – Eileen’s father, the late Richie Ogden was in the Class of 1929; Dan Nixon (Class of 1947) and his wife, Margaret, of Hindsboro, and their friend, Mrs. Nolan Hackler of Tuscola; Amy (Headrick) Stine (Class of 1947) of Tuscola; Mary (Clapp) Pankey (Class of 1946) and her friend, Laura Smith; Jim Jenkins (Class of 1947) and his wife, Jane; Marge (Weller) Harrington (Class of 1950-Arcola) and her husband, Jim Harrington of Arcola; Norman Weller (Class of 1943 Valedictorian) and his bride of 62 years, Joy Weller of Houston, Texas; Hop Conner (Class of 1941) and his daughter, Donna, of Tuscola; Madelyn (Breedlove) Mofield (Class of 1950 – Arcola) and her husband, Joe of Monticello; Myra Joy (Strader) Coy (Class of 1950 – Arcola) and her son, David Kent Coy of Decatur; Dolores (Strader) Dague, who graduated from Hindsboro Grade School in 1948, of near Oakland; Ed Conner, who left school his Junior year, but later got his diploma, was the oldest former student present at 92 and his bride of 25 years, Juanita (Van Voorhis) McCoskey Conner (Class of 1934) who was the oldest graduate present at age 92, of Tuscola.

Also attending were: Mary Jane (Eversole) Hippler, who graduated from Hindsboro Grade School in 1948, of Monticello; Joyce (Douglas) Seitz (Class of 1950 – Arcola) and her son, Tom Seitz of Tucson, Arizona; Leon Douglas (Class of 1939) and his Bride of 60 years, Marge (Barnett) Douglas, who attended 3 years at Hindsboro, but graduated from Rantoul in 1941, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary Frances (Douglas) Van Voorhis, Class of 1941 of Champaign, Don Douglas (Class of 1942) and his Bride of 59 years, June (Willoughby) who graduated from Brocton, of Hindsboro; Joyce (Cuppy) Hemingway (Class of 1948) from near Hindsboro; Phyllis (Cuppy) Douglas (Class of 1945) who has been married to Dale Douglas (unable to attend) for 62 years, of Indianapolis; Lois (Jerde) Douglas, widow of Larry “Bub” Douglas (Class of 1950 – Macomb), Mary (Bacon) Douglas (Class of 1943) of Hindsboro, Vera (Whipple) Lutz, whose sons attended Hindsboro Grade School, Kent Grummett (Class of 1941) and friend of near Hindsboro; and Jeanne (Hayes) Strader (Class of 1946) of Hindsboro, who was also celebrating her birthday.

Next year’s Hindsboro School Reunion will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at the Hindsboro Civic Center and anyone with an interest in Hindsboro is invited to attend.

Hindsboro High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1900

Year closed: 1948

Consolidated to: Oakland High School

Hindsboro team nickname: the "Blue Devils"

Hindsboro team colors: Blue & White

School Fight Song: "We're Loyal to You Hindboro High"

Sung to Illinois Loyalty FIght Song Tune

We're loyal to you HHS,

We're white and blue, HHS.

We'll back you to stand

'Gainst the best in the land

For we know you have sand, HHS!

Rah! Rah!

So crack out the ball, HHS

We're backing you all, HHS

Our team is our fame protector:

On! Boys for we expect a

Victory from you HHS!