The History of Keensburg High School
Keensburg (population 252) is located in southeastern Illinois in the south-central portion of Wabash County.
Illinois Route 1 is the main roadway that passes through Keensburg. It connects Keensburg to Mt. Carmel just six miles
to the northeast. Keensburg sits about two miles west of the Wabash River / Indiana - Ilinois border. County Highway
8 also leads to Keensburg.
The history of Keensburg and its former high school are in need of research. We currently do not have
a lot of information on either. We are guessing the town got its start in the early to mid-1800s. A school was
likely established in the area near that time as well. It is likely that the Keensburg residents set up a high school
in town by the late 1800s, certainly by the early 1900s.
Keensburg High School served the area through 1949. The following information was sent to us by
Keensburg High School student Henry A. "Sonny" Rigg:
"I attended Keensburg High School 1939-1949 and then attended Mount Carmel High School for my final two
years. The name of the school teams was the "Indians". The team uniform colors were red and white. The final building
that housed the school was named the Count R. Lovellette school after my great uncle. His brother made
a sizeable donation to the building fund and the final building was built in 1927-1928. The High School was discontinued
in 1949. The elementary school continued for a number of years."
The children of Keensburg now attend high school in nearby Mt. Carmel. The fate of the original Keensburg
High School is being sought.
Keensburg High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late
1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: 1949
Consolidated to:
Mt. Carmel School District
Keensburg HS team nickname: the "Indians"
Keensburg HS team colors: Red & White
School Fight Song:
unavailable
