Steward High School

Steward High School Building Circa 1930s

Submitted by Jim White, Courtesy of Mrs. James Trowbridge

The History of Steward High School

Steward High School Building, Approximately 1935

Courtesy of Jim White, Courtesy of Mrs. James Trowbridge

Steward, Illinois is located seven miles south of Rochelle just off of Interstate 39-US 51 in Alto Township in northeastern Lee County. It has a population of 300 and is mostly a residental area save a couple businesses and a tavern. The town was founded in 1855 and the present-day Burlington Northern-Santa Fe line brought prosperity to Steward.

The first schoolhouse in Steward was built in 1859. In 1881, a high school was organized at the southeastern corner of Perry Road (Main Street, County Route 2) and Steward Road (County Route 8) and served the village until the 1954-55 school year when the high school students were sent to Rochelle.

An update on the Steward school system and its former high school buildings was provided by John Metelko:

"The main part of the old Steward High School that was used for the Elementary school in the 60's 70's 80's and 90's was torn down around 2002 and replaced by a new building. The new Steward School is still connected to the old Steward High School Gym which is still used. Steward School now has students in grades Kindergarten through Eight."

For more information on Steward schools check out http://genealogytrails.com/ill/lee/leeschoolstewardhs.html .

Steward High School "Quick Facts":

Year Opened:                              1881
Different High Schools in Steward: 3 (2 burned down)
Year Deactivated:                         1955
Consolidated to:                           Rochelle High School
School Colors:                              Blue & White
Nickname:                                    the "Blue Jays"
School Song:                                ??

Athletics

Steward High School Gymnasium Entrance 1935

Submitted by Jim White / Courtesy of Mrs. James Trowbridge

As far as known, Steward offered Basketball as an extra-curricular and it was their prime sport, because the team brought home five IHSA District Championships according to the IHSA Website (www.ihsa.org). Steward Basketball was a surely a small school force in the 1940's. We are still looking for more information about athletics and other activities in and about Steward High School.

Boy's Basketball

1934-35 19 - 3 Coach E. Skaarhaug

Steward HS Basketball 1934-35

Submitted By Jim White / Courtesy of Mrs. James Trowbridge

1938-39 N.R.A. District Champions Coaches name unavailable

1941-42 N.R.A. District Champions Coaches name unavailable

Beat Paw Paw 49-48 for title

1944-45 N.R.A. District Champions Coach J.M. Thompson

1945-46 N.R.A. District Champions Coach J.M. Thompson

1948-49 21 - 5 District Champions Coach Maurice "Moe" Errion

Steward participated in the Green River Valley Conference against foes from the towns of Paw Paw, Compton, Kings, Lee Center, Lee, Franklin Grove, and Rollo.

Information on two of Steward High's District Championship teams was provided to us by our good fan, Brian Hoxsey:

"In 1944-45 season head coach J.M. Thompson and the Blue Jays won a district title with a 43-26 victory over Lee High School in a game Donald Rednour scored a game-high 20 points.

Thompson led Steward to their second straight district title in 1945-46.

Head coach Maurice "Moe" Errion guided the Blue Jays to a 21-5 record and a district title in 1948-49. In the district tournament, Steward defeated Lee Center High School and then Franklin Grove High School 50-36 in the title game. The season ended with a 62-41 loss to Dixon High School in the Regional semi-finals."

MEMORIES

We hope you enjoy these photos provided by Jim White from yearbooks of Steward High School from the years of 1934-36, courtesy of Mrs. James Trowbridge. Place your cursor over any photo and "left click" on your mouse to view an enlarged version of the photo.

Stewardson HS Parking Lot

Study Hall

Ladies at the Entrance, Check Out Those Skates!!

Steward HS Girls Club 1935

Submitted By Jim White / Courtesy of Mrs. James Trowbridge

Steward HS Entrance

More Information Welcome

More information is being sought about Steward High School; use the Guest Commentary Form or the School Submission Form to submit. If you have more Information about Steward High School, including a photo of the school, nickname, school colors and especially win-loss records and other great teams you would like to share please e-mail this website at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .

You may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, IL 60631

Steward Grade School

Steward, IL