Viola High School

Viola High School

Viola, Illinois

The History of Viola High School

Viola (population 956) is located in upper western Illinois on Iliniois Route 17 at the intersection of U.S. Route 67. The town sits in the eastern portion of Mercer County. Viola is situated about 20 miles south of the Quad Cities.

A good fan of the Glory Days site, Jeff Crummy, provided this bit of history regarding the former Viola High School:

"The first high school was built on present day Ill. Rt. 17 on the same block as the later high school (NW of the present school) in 1888. A new brick High School was completed in 1924 and still stands; it became Winola H.S. in 1953. The new brick Grade School was completed in 1923 (by the same contractor that built the H.S. the next year), replacing a wooden structure on the S.E. corner of that same city block. This building served the Viola kids until the new present day brick building was built in 1979 on the east edge of Viola. This facility is still known as Winola Grade School, and serves as part of the Sherrard School District . The previous Viola Grade School is being used as an apartment complex today."

The communities of Viola and New Windsor took on a consolidation effort between their schools in the early 1952. The new school system was called "Winola" with the high school occupying the Viola High School building.

Winola High School existed for many years until a consolidation effort with Sherrard High School became a reality in the 1988. To check out a web site regarding Winola High School please visit http://groups.msn.com/winola .

Viola High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1888

Year closed: 1952

School nickname: the "Lumberjacks"

School colors: Blue & White

School Fight Song: "On Viola, On Viola"

Sung to the tune of "On Wisconsin"

Athletics

Viola High School enjoyed many great seasons of success. They brought home two District titles, the second won during their final year existence. Football was offered and it is assumed other sports were offered at the school as well, however research and information is needed from an alum or townsperson from Viola. Viola High School's basketball success is listed below.

Boy's Basketball

1938-39 N.R.A. District Champions

1951-52 N.R.A. District Champions

Football

Tom Sikorski provided information on the following conference championship football team of the Viola Lumberjacks:

1948 6-0 Corn Belt Conference Champs Coach: Leo Traister

Track & Field

From Jeff Crummy:

"Viola H.S. Lumberjacks track team won the Central Military District championship in 1919. This encompassed all of Illinois from the Illinois River west to the Mississippi River, including many large schools such as Galesburg, Kewanee and Rock Island."

Individual Events

In the final year of existance of Viola High School, the Individual Events club was able to send a person to the state tournament. In 1952 Rose Terry placed fifth in "O.D.", which means Oratorical Declamation.

Great Athletes

Rich Lawson, football standout in late 1940's ; Leo Crummy, "Hacker" Newton, Wayne 'Wheeler' Anderson and Vic Holdsworth. The 1937 basketball team went on to the Sectional Championship losing to Kewanee by one point, the Frakes boys were exceptional athletes in all sports.

Memories and Facts

From a great fan of Viola High School, Jeff Crummy:

"Viola High School was know as the Blue and White. The local papers reported them as ViCoHi. The basketball teams in the late 20's and thru the 1930's were feared by all of the high schools in Mercer County winning most of the games played!"

Seeking Further Information

We are sincerely seeking further information regarding Viola High School and the town of Viola. We would like to to post a photo of the old high school building on this page. If you can offer any information regarding Viola High School please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631