Alpha High School

The History of Alpha High School

The town of Alpha, Illinois is located in the southwestern portion of Henry County on US Rt. 150 and Il. Rt. 17 approximately 17 miles north of Galesburg.

The residents of Alpha (population 726 today) started a school in 1857. A new building was built in 1884 and was replaced in 1909. This building housed the first Alpha High School, which has its first commencement in 1895 with 12 graduating pupils. The 1909 building became the grade school in 1924 when a newer, Oxford Township High School, building was built next door specifically for the high school grades. The 1909 building (grade school) was destroyed by a 1941 fire. It was replaced by the brick structure pictured above.

Alpha supported their school proudly until consolidation talks with nearby Woodhull became a reality. This took place in 1948 when the school districts of Alpha and Woodhull formed Alwood School District #225.

The Alpha High School building from 1924-1948 has since been torn down. The "new" building now serves as the grade school for the Alwood school district.

Alpha High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1895

Year closed: 1948

School nickname: the "Bulldogs" (sometimes the "Miners")

School colors: Red & White

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

We know that the Alpha boys competed in basketball and football. It is believed the Alpha High School students also participated in baseball and track. If you have team records or conference champions from other teams, as well as those listed below, that you would like to share please forward the information to us.

The official name of the Alpha High School athletic teams was the Bulldogs. However the Alpha teams were sometimes referred to as the "Miners" because of the coal mines which once existed around the area.

Boy's Basketball

The Alpha High School Bulldogs boy's basketball team could play with the best of them, a tradition which continues at Alwood HS today. The Alpha roundballers brought home one District title and five Regional titles in their existence. As stated on other pages, IHSA hardware is only one measuring stick for athletic or school successes.

Alpha's first basketball facilites were upstairs in a two-story building, according to the town's centennial publication. A gym was built in 1923-24.

1926-27 N.R.A. Henry County Champions Coach Duke Rumble

1931-32 21 - 5 good record Coaches name unavailable

1932-33 19 - 7 District Champions Coach Robert Douglas

1933-34 19 - 8 good record Coaches name unavailable

1934-35 22 - 6 Galva Invite champions Coaches name unavailable

1935-36 20 - 5 good record Coaches name unavailable

1936-37 28 - 4 Regional Champions Coaches name unavailable

Defeated Kewanee for title

1937-38 16 - 2 Regional Champions Coaches name unavailable

Sectional runner-up to Moline

1938-39 N.R.A Regional Champions Coach Robert Andreen

1940-41 16 - 11 good record Coaches name unavailable

1943-44 26 - 3 Regional Champions Coaches name unavailable

Beat Aledo Roosevelt for Regional

Beat Morrison in Sectional

Lost to Kewanee for Sect. champ.

1944-45 N.R.A. Regional Champions Coaches name unavailable

Lost to Kewanee in Sectional

In addition to its 1927 Henry County championship, they won it in another unknown year between 1924-26. From 1924 to 1929, Alpha won 72 percent of its games.

Noteable Roundball Athlete

Dean Kelly - Led the Bulldogs to a 16-11 record in 1940-41 and was among the area's leading scorers with 270 points.

Football

Football was offered at Alpha beginning in 1939. They won a conference championship in 1943 and was runner-up in 1944.

1943-44 N.R.A. Conference Champions Coaches name unavailable

1944-45 N.R.A. Conference Runner-Up Coaches name unavailable

Information needed

If you have any information on the Alpha High School district or the town of Alpha itself please complete a "School Submission Form" or a "Guest Commentary Form". You can also write us at eganann@sbcglobal.net or via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631