This page has been designed to post photos of grade school buildings that are no longer used as schools. Some
are in a delapidated state, some are now used as businesses, some are used for civic purposes.
ALL of these buildings, however, were once filled with the joyous shouts of children at play, of chalk gliding across
the chalk board, and of gym shoes screaching on the floor. They, too, were once the center of the community they served and
deserve to be remembered.
If you have such a photo and wish to share it on this page, please forward it to us via e-mail to ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .
Adeline Grade School
Adeline School Building - Built 1866
Restored - Now Used as Village Hall
Adeline School Desks and Blackboard
Adeline School Building View from Northwest
Adeline (population 85) is located in northwestern Illinois in the northwestern portion
of Ogle County. Adeline is about 10 miles southeast of Freeport. The village is located at the intersection of Adeline Road
and White Eagle Road. Illinois Route 72 passes by just one mile to the south and is connected to the village via Adeline Road.
The Soo Line Railroad passes just south of town as well.
Adeline is a beautiful little town that includes summer church camp grounds, and a nice Lutheran Church.
The "barbershop quartet" song "Sweet Adeline" refers to this small hamlet. The building pictured above, built in 1868, served
as a grades 1 - 8 school for many years. The kids of Adeline attended Leaf River High School upon graduating from 8th grade. When Leaf River High School closed in 1986, all students were sent to nearby Forreston High
School. It is believed that the Adeline School served as a school through the 1960s. It has been restored and is now used
as a village hall.
From Roberta VanBriesen:
The Milwaukee RR came thru about 1/2 mile south of the village of Adeline. There was a depot,
grain elevator, store and hotel at this location. It is about 1/4 mile east of the blacktop. The hotel building
is still there, a home now, I can't remember if the elevator is still there or torn down, I can remember when it was still
in operation.
Albany Grade School
Albany Grade School, Albany, Illinois
Closed in 2005
Albany (population 895) is located about 20 miles northeast of Moline along the
mighty Mississippi River in Whiteside County on State Highway 84. Albany supported its own high school through 1944 when it merged with nearby Fulton High School. This school served as a grade school for the Fulton River
Bend School District from 1952 - 2005 wshen it was closed.
Annawan Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School
Annawan Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School - 2013
Annawan Sacred Heart Catholic GS NW View
Annawan Sacred Heart Catholic GS SW View
Annawan (population 878) is located in the upper western portion of Illinois
in the northeastern portion of Henry County. Annawan is located at the intersection of U.S. Route 6 and Illinois Route 78.
Interstate Highway 80 passes through the northern edge of town. The village of Annawan was established in 1853 along
what was then known as the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad. Annawan is said to be named after a Winnebago Indian
Chief.(http://www.annawanillinois.org/History.htm)
The Sacred Heart Catholic School building pictured above was built in 1913. It was school
for grades 1 - 8. For a short period between 1922 and 1923 the school building served as host to some classes for Annawan
High School while the new high school brick building was being constructed. Sacred Heart Grade School served the
community until 1966 when it was closed. The building still stands today and is utilized in a limited capacity by the Sacred
Heart Catholic Parish.
Baileyville Grade School
Baileyville Grade School Building 2011
Courtesy of Roberta Van Briesen
Baileyville (population about 250) is an unincorporated village in far north central
Illinois. It is located in far northwestern Ogle County about 5 miles south of the city of Freeport. This grade
school was closed in the mid-1970s. The children of Baileyville attend schools in nearby Forreston.
Beaverville Grade School
Beaverville Comm. Center - Former Grade School?
Beaverville (population 391) is located in upper-eastern Illinois, some might even say
lower-northeastern Illinois. Beaverville sits in the northeastern portion of Iroquois County. Beaverville
is located in a country setting at the intersection of County Roads 3000N and 2500E. Illinois Route 1 passes
by about four miles to the west while U.S. Route 52 travels by Beaverville approximately four miles to the south. The
Illinois/Indiana border is 8 miles east of Beaverville. The Kankakee, Beaverville, & Southern Railroad passes through
Beaverville as well. Beaverville sits about 20 miles southeast of Kankakee.
Beaverville first incurred the name of St. Mary's. Upon the construction of the railroad through
the area, it was discovered that the name of St. Mary's was already in use. "Beaverville", the name of a nearby
post office, was then accorded the name of the town. The township of Beaverville was established in 1921.
The town has had many successful businesses. There was never a high school in Beaverville as far as we know, just a grades
1 - 8 school. Could this be the former school building? Please let us know. The kids of Beaverville attend school
in nearby Donavan today.
Bernodette Grade School
Bernodette Grade School, Bernodette, Illinois
Bernadotte Playground Equipment 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Merry-Go-Round 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte School Memorial Stone 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadette School Memorial
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Cafe 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Mill Stone 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Dam 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte Steel Bridge 2012
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Bernadotte is located in western Illinois in the west-central portion of Fulton County.
Bernadotte is located at the intersection of County Highways 2 and 14. Bernadotte is located about 5 miles north of Ipava.
The Spoon River flows past the small hamlet of Bernadotte. The village was nearly named the state capitol of Illinois, losing
out to Vandalia by one vote in 1820. Bernadotte was a nice-sized community of about 400 residents through the early 1940s.
In 1943 the United States government moved to turn the area on which Bernadotte was located into a prison camp and training
center known as Camp Ellis. This facility basically shut down civilian life in Bernadotte, and was closed just over one year
later. The village never recovered and now has but a few residents.
The Bernadotte school building is pictured above. The school was likely closed in 1943 and was a grades
1 - 8 school. Today the kids of Bernadotte attend school as part of the Table Grove V.I.T. School District. For more on Bernadotte
check out the following web addresses:
Campus (population 145) is a small village located in the northeastern Livingston County
in the upper-western portion of Illinois. County Highway 1 and County Highway 3 intersect in Campus. The village
is located about 6 miles (as the crow flies) southeast of Dwight. The school above served as a grade school through at
least the 1960s. The school was eventually closed when it was decided that all students would attend school at the newly
created Reddick RUCE School District. Campus put the "C" in "RUCE". It is a beautiful little town with a majestic Catholic Church
and rectory still standing. This building (above) is now utilized as a community center. The students of Campus
today attend school in nearby Herscher.
Clarence Grade School
Clarence School Stone Over Doorway
Found at Clarence Elevator Building
"Dist. 74"
Found at Clarence Elevator - 2012
"Clarence"
School Stone Above Door - Bldg Razed
Clarence (population approximately 100) is located in the east-central portion of Illinois
in the southeastern portion of Ford County. Clarence is located on County Highway 6 about 1 mile north of Illinois Route 9.
The largest town of note near Clarence is Paxton, about 5 miles to the west. The above photos were taken in the grain elevator
weigh station building in town, the last surving business. The stone was saved from demolition when the school was razed several
years ago. The Clarence Grade School District 74 served the community from the very early 1900s through the 1960s when
the school was closed. The children of Clarence attend school in Paxton as part of the Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District.
Deer Grove Grade School
Deer Grove Grade School Building
Deer Grove Grade School 2013
Deer Grove Grade School Building Side View
Deer Grove (population 45) is located in northwestern Illinois in the southeast corner
of Whiteside County. Deer Grove is about 12 miles south of Rock Falls. Illinois Route 40 is the main roadway to and from Deer
Grove. The Whiteside County roadways named Deer Road and Arrow Road also lead you to Deer Grove. As you pass through town
there are what appear to be the remnants of a railroad track that once passed through town. A small bar and grill and a grain
elevator with approximately 15 - 20 houses complete the town.
The school house pictured above sits on the east side of Route 40. It appears to be utilized today
as a business of some sort. It once served as a grade school for the town of Deer Grove and the surrounding farm kids. The
kids of Deer Grove today attend grade school in nearby Tampico and high school in Prophetstown.
Eldena Grade School
Eldena School Building - 2011
Eldena School Building - 2011
Eldena (population about 200) is located in northwestern Illinois in the north central
portion of Lee County. Eldena sits about seven miles southeast of Dixon, Eldena is located on Red Brick Road at the intersection
of County Road 31 also known as Eldena Road. A nice history of the town is found at the web address of http://www.leecountyhistory.com/lee_county/eldena.htm .
The area around Eldena was first settled in the 1830s. The town was established in the mid-1850s when
the Illinois Central Railroad laid tracks through the area. The school pictured above served as a grade school at one
time. It appeared, in 2011, to serve as a private residence. The kids of Eldena now attend school in nearby Amboy.
Emington Grade School
Emington Grade School Building 2013
Submitted by Owen Pulver
Emington Grade School Building 2013
Submitted by Owen Pulver
Emington (population 117) is located in east-central Illinois in the northeast portion
of Livingston County. Emington is situated on County Road N 3000 E about 5 miles north of Illinois Route 116. County Road
E 2400 N also leads you to Emington and will take you to Illinois Route 47 about 3 miles to the west.
We are in need of information regarding the history of the town of Emington and its former grade school.
If you have additional information to share please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .
The photos of the former Emington Grade School building shown above were sent to us by Owen Pulver.
Owen tells us the following about Emington.
"Emington is located in eastern Livingston County about 10 miles southeast of Dwight. The children
of Emington go to Saunemin for grade school and Dwight for high school."
Esmond Grade School
Esmond Grade School - 2010
Submitted by Roberta VanBriesen
Esmond Grade School Side View
Thank you to Roberta Van Briesen
Esmond Grade School Gym Scoreboard
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
Esmond Grade School Gym Basket
Courtesy of Roberta Van Briesen
Esmond School Inscription
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
Esmond (population 291) is located in far northern Illinois in the western portion of Dekalb
County. Esmond is situated about 10 miles northwest of the city of Dekalb. An excellent history of the town and
its school can be found at the web address of http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/PDFs/201157.pdf on page 8. According to the information on this page Esmond began a school in the town in 1860. The above
school was built in 1950 and closed in 1993. The kids of Esmond now attend grade school at Eswood Grade School
in Lindenwood and high school in Rochelle.
Flagg Center Grade School
Flagg Center School Bldg - Now a Church (2011)
Flagg Center, Il (Ogle County - Submitted by Roberta VanBreisen)
Flagg Center (population approximately 300) is located in north central Illinois in the
southeastern portion of Ogle County. It is situated at the intersection of Flagg Road and Center Road. Flagg Center sits about
one mile northwest of the outskirts of Rochelle. The Soo Line Railroad meets with the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad
near Flagg Center. The building above served as a school for many years until it was converted to a church, a capacity in
which it continues to serve today. The kids of Flagg Center attend school in Rochelle today.
Harrison Grade School
Harrison, Illinois School Building - 2009
Now a Private Residence - Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
Harrison (population 75?) is located in far north-central Illinois in the north-central
portion of Winnebago County. Harrison is located about 20 miles northwest of Rockford. County Highway 75 (also known as Freeport
Road) travels through Harrison, as does Harrison Road. Sugar Creek passes by the west side of town too. According to
www.mapquest.com Harrison is about 3 blocks from north to south and two blocks from east to west.
The school building pictured above likely served as a grades 1 - 8 school, maybe even lower grades
only. It now serves as a private residence. The kids of Harrison attend school in the nearby Rockton Hononegah School District.
Holcomb
Carrie Sheaff Grade School
Holcomb Carrie Sheaff Grade School Building
Submitted by Roberta VanBriesen (now a private residence)
Holcomb Masonic Hall Building 2012
Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen 9left click on photo for larger view)
Holcomb Grade School Gym Entrance
Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen 9left click on photo for larger view)
Holcomb Grade School Addition (added in 1950s)
Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen 9left click on photo for larger view)
Holcomb (population approximately 200) is located in northwestern Illinois in the west-central
portion of Ogle County. The town is situated on East Holcomb Road about one mile west of Illinois Route 251. The Soo Line
and Iowa, Chicago, & Eastern railroad lines both travel through Holcomb. Holcomb is about 10 miles north of Rochelle.
From Roberta VanBriesen:
"Holcomb never had a high school. The village kids go to Kings and Rochelle HS now. My dad spent
his childhood there. It was a lively town in it's day. The CB&Q crossed the CGW there. My dad played
with kids whose dad was a conductor on the CGW and learned to call all the stops all the way to Chicago. There was a
large hobo jungle where the tracks crossed. The town was blessed with a bank that survived the depression."
Hooppole Grade School
Hooppole, Illinois Grade School - Closed in 1979
Now a private business - photo taken in 2005
Hooppole School Building 1953
Courtesy of Mary Ellen Doubler Frank
Hooppole (population 200) is located in north central Illinois in the northeastern portion
of Henry County. Hooppole folks supported their own high school through 1948 when they merged with Annawan High School. The building pictured above was likely constructed in
the 1950s. It served as the Annawan School District's 1st and 2nd grade building through 1979. It was then closed
as a new all-inclusive school was built in Annawan. The building today serves as a local business. The kids of Hooppole
continue to attend school in Annawan today.
Latham Park Grade School
Latham Park School, Winnebago County, IL.
Photo Courtesy of Roberta Van Briesen
Latham Park School Mosaic on Outer Wall
Sent to Us by Roberta Van Briesen
Latham Park Grade School, Winnebago County, IL.
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen - 2010
Latham Park (population 200?) is located in far north-central Illinois in the northeastern
portion of Winnebago County. Latham Park is a northern suburb of sorts to Rockford, and is located on County Highway 17 about one
mile east of Illinois Route 2. The Soo Line Railroad runs by the east side of town. Latham Park is situated west of the Rock
River, across from Machesny Park to the east.
The Latham Park School was utilized as a K - 8 school that fed into the Machesny Park Harlem School District.
The school was closed and we believe the students of Latham Park continue to attend Mechesmy Park Harlem schools.
L'Erable Grade School
L'Erable School Building - 2011
L'Erable School Rear - 2011
L'Erable (pronounced 'luh RAB', population approximately 100) is located in east central
Illinois in the north-central portion of Iroquois County. L'Erable is located in a true country setting on County Road E 2700
North at the intersection of County Road 1500 East. The Iroquois River flows by about one mile to the east of town. The town
is about 10 miles northwest of Watseka.
The building pictured above sits to the east of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in L'Erable. We
are not certain that it was actually a school, it may have served as a convent at one time. However, to us, it has the appearance
of a school building. If you have any further information on this building and the town of L'Erable please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.
Maytown Grade School
Maytown, Illinois Grade School - 2009
Appears to be used for storage.
Maytown (population 25) is located in the north central area of Illinois in south central
Lee County. The hamlet sits in a true country setting about 10 miles west-northwest from Mendota (or 20 miles southeast
of Dixon). Maytown Road is the main roadway to and from the area, as the town is situated between Morgan Road and Van
Orin Road. There appears to be a populated subdivision about a mile or two northeast of Maytown as well. The actual
hamlet of Maytown consists of a small former school building (now a storage facitlity, pictured below), a building which
was possibly a school at one time (pictured above), and a beautiful brick church. There three to four houses on Maytown
road near the location.
For more information on Maytown Academy, click here. The school building above likely served as a grades 1 - 4 or so school at one time. The kids of Maytown now attend
school in nearby Amboy.
Middlegrove Grade School
Middlegrove Clair Country School Building
Photo by Roberta VanBriesen
Middlegrove Clair School Building 1894
Photo by Owen Pulver
Middlegrove Clair School Side View
Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Middlegrove Bow Shooting Range 2012
Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Middlegrove Concession Stand 2012
Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Middlegrove Closed Church Building 2012
Roberta VanBriesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Middlegrove (population approximately 100) is located in upper west central Illinois
in the northeastern portion of Fulton County. Illinois Route 116 is the main roadway leading to and from Middlegrove and connects
it to Farmington located just 5 miles to the east. A county roadway appropriately named Middlegrove Road also leads you to
the small village. Middlegrove was a mining community from the late 1800s through the late 1900s. At one time it supported
several businesses including a hotel.
The school building pictured above was photographed by Roberta VanBriesen and
Owen Pulver. The building was likely a country school moved to this location. A sign above the door
refers to it as the "Clair School 1894". Today this building houses historical information regarding the town of Middlegrove.
We are not certain when the Middlegrove Grade School was established or when it was closed. We do know that the kids of Middlegrove
today attend school in Farmington.
Milmine Grade School
Milmine School 2011
Courtesy of Dennis Downey
Milmine School Building 2011
Now a Grain Elevator (Submitted by Dennis Downey)
Milmine (population approximately 50) is located in east-central Illinois in Cerro Gordo
Township in Piatt County. Milmine is about 15 miles northeast of Decatur. The Norfolk Southern Railroad line travels
through Milmine. County Highway 22 is the main roadway that leads to and from Milmine. It connects to Illinois Highway
105 about one mile to the south. Our good friend Dennis Downey submitted these photos and added the following
information:
"Attached are several pictures of the public school building in the very small town of Milmine, Illinois.
This is just off of Ill. Route 105 between Bement and Cerro Gordo, Illinois.The builidng is now a weigh station for the grain
company which is about the only business plus some houses in the town. My second semester French teacher at Millikin University
was from Milmine. Very elderly at the time and had taught French and German to Americans in WWII."
The kids of Milmine attend Bement Schools today.
New Bedford Grade School
New Bedford Grade School Building 2013
Photo by Owen Pulver
New Bedford Grade School Inscription
Photo by Owen Pulver
New Bedford (population 75) is located in northwestern Illinois in the far northwestern
corner of Bureau County. The County Roads of 2500N and 250E will take you to and from New Bedford. Illinois Route 40
travels by the town about one mile to the east. The town is about four blocks from east to west and three blocks from north
to south, New Bedford is about 15 miles northwest of the county seat of Princeton.
The area in which New Bedford is now situated was originally settled in 1836 by a man named Henry
Thomas. In 1844 settlers in the area named the town Winnebago. However in 1855 the town's name was changed to
New Bedford to honor the residents' home town in New York. (http://genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/Villages/newbedford/index.html)
New Bedford was quite an exciting place to live in the early half of the 1900s. A family named Bollman
built a basketball gymnasium and a first class baseball/softball facilty on the southwest side of town. An aerial
view of this facility is available at the following link:
The facility was known as Bollman Field with the gymnasium known as Bollman Fieldhouse. The gymnasium instantly
became one of the finer gymnasiums in the area. It played host to a semi-pro basketball team, the Manlius High School
basketball team, as well as events such as pro wrestling. The baseball field often played host to the National Fast-Pitch
Men's Softball tournaments in the 1950s and 1960s. This facility, however is but a shell of its former self today.
The history of the New Bedford Grade School has been difficult to research via the internet. We
beleive the school was in existence from the 1860s through at least the late 1950s, possibly even into the 1970s. The school
building photos above were taken by Owen Pulver in 2013. The building appears to be good structual condition.
It also appears to be used for storage today. If you have any further information to add please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. An aerial photo of the school when it was in its prime is found at:
Normandy (population approximately 50) is located in northwestern
Illinois in the northwestern portion of Bureau County. Normandy sits on Illinois Route 92 about 2 miles east of Illinois Route
40. A railroad line passes through town as well. Normandy is about 4 miles west of Walnut, and about 17 miles south of Sterling.
The building above served as a grade school in Normandy until the late 1940s. It was then used as a community
center for a time, a role it still plays today. An earlier photo of the building is available at the following web address:
The kids of Normandy attended high school in Walnut before that school district was absorbed into the Bureau Valley School District in Manlius in 1994.
Oak Park Bishop Quarter Military Academy
Oak Park Bishop Quarter Military Academy (Gds1-8)
Submitted by Kenneth Rozhon
**From Kenneth Rozhon:
"Bishop Quarter Military Academy was located at 605 Lake St. Oak Park, IL. circa 1900 to 1967. I was
a proud member of the class of 1957. The Oak Park Historical Society has literature on the school. All that’s
left is a 1/2 block street named Bishop Quarter! One of our biggest rivals was La Grange St. Joseph Military Academy,
also closed now. They're gone and that kind of education doesn't exist anymore."
Ottawa St. Patrick's Grade School
Ottawa St. Patrick's Grade School 1913-2010
Ottawa (population 18,400) is located in north central Illinois along Interstate 80 between
the Quad Cities and Chicago. The Fox and Illinois Rivers meet in the center of the city, and also can be reached by US 6,
Illinois 23, and Illinois 71. The Chessie Railroad also has a line that runs thru Ottawa, which it acquired years ago after
the Rock Island went bankrupt in 1980.
Ottawa St. Patrick Grade School served the Catholic students of Ottawa from 1913 until it was closed due
to lack of enrollment and financial strife at the completion of the 2009-10 school year.
Papineau Grade School
Papineau, Illinois Grade School (2010)
Built 1916, Closed 1959
Papineau Grade School Cornerstone - 2010
Papineau (population 186) is located in upper-eastern Illinois
in the northeastern portion of Iroquois County. Papineau is situated on County Highway 3 at the intersection of County Road
3150 North. There is a railroad line that passes through Papineau. The town was incorporated in 1874. Papineau kids today
attend school in nearby St. Anne. The building above was utilized in a few different capacities before falling into its current
poor state.
"The frame school was built in the early 1900's followed by the brick
school in 1920. The eight grades were usually divided between the two classrooms on the top floor. The lower level contained
two rooms used for recreation in bad weather, the rest rooms, and the kitchen beginning in the 1950's. Also during the 1950's
seventh and eighth grade students were transported to St. Anne Elementary School. The district became a part of the St.
Anne district in January, 1972."
Ridott Grade School
Ridott Grade School Building
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen
Ridott (population 159) is located in far north-central Illinois in Stephenson County. It
sits about 5 miles east of Freeport on South Rock City Road about 1 mile north of U.S. Route 20. We do not know when the school
closed or when it was built. We believe the kids of Ridott today attend Freeport schools. A nice history of the town
of Ridott and the early formation of its schools district can be viewed at the web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/stephenson/cityridottvillage.html .
Swan Creek Grade School
Swan Creek School Bldg. 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen (now a church)
Swan Creek Church Bldg. 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Swan Creek Bank Bldg. 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Swan Creek School Bell 2012
Photo by Roberta Van Briesen (left click on photo for larger view)
Swan Creek (population approximately 50) is located in western Illinois in the southwest
corner of Warren County. County Highway 29 and County Roadway 25th Avenue intersect in Swan Creek. U.S. Route 67 passes
by town about one mile to the west. Swan Creek is about two blocks from east to west and two blocks from north to south. The
town is situated 14 miles south of Macomb, about halfway between Macomb and Monmouth.
According to a book published in 1877 and titled "The Past and Present Of Warren County Illinois" (Page
175) a post office was established in Swan Creek in 1837. A railroad line was built through town in 1870. At that time Swan
Creek had "three or four good stores and the same number of shops, and a good mill and elevator." A school for
the town's children was established at an early date. A large school house was built in 1876.
The building above is still standing and was once utilized as the Swan Creek school building. The photo
was taken in 2012 by Roberta Van Briesen. The building is now utilized as a church.
Texas Township Grade School
Texas Township School Building, DeWitt County, IL.
Taken in August of 2010 by Dennis Downey
Texas Township School Entrance
Submitted by Dennis Downey
Texas Township (population 1,284) is located in lower east-central Illinois in the southwestern
portion of DeWitt Couhty. The township is located about 2 miles south of the city of Clinton, and 15 miles north of Decatur.
U.S. Route 51 passes through the middle of Texas Township.
A nice history of Texas Township can be read at the web address of http://dewitt.ilgenweb.net/texas-twp.htm . The township was named when a resident of Clinton, Daniel Newcomb, left Clinton in the early to
middle 1800s with the intention of moving to Texas. He made it but a few miles and stated "This is close enough to Texas
for me." The locals made it folklore and the name Texas Township stuck. The Texas School pictured above served the township
as grades 1 - 8 school for many years. It is likely that the school was vacated in the early 1950s. Some kids, after
graduating from Texas Township Grade School, would attend either nearby Kenney High School or Clinton High School. The
kids of Texas Township today likely attend Clinton Schools.
Waddams Grove Grade School
Waddams Grove School, Stephenson County, IL.
Photo Taken by Roberta Van Briesen, 2010 (now a private residentce)
Waddams Grove (population 50?) is located in far northwestern Illinois in the northwestern
portion of Stephenson County. According to www.mapquest.com, Waddams Grove is one lock from east to west and two blocks from north to south. The county roadway titled "Galena
Road" is the main roadway to and from Waddams Grove. Waddams Grove Road also leads you to the small hamlet. The Chicago, Central,
& Pacific Railway passes through town as well, A nice history of the town is found at the web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waddams_Grove,_Illinois . The town was the first settlement in Stephenson County, being settled by a man named Henry Waddams
in 1832.
Waddams Grove Grade School likely served the area for many decades, probably from the 1800s through 1960s.
The kids of Waddams Grove today attend school in either Warren or Lena-Winslow School Districts.
Walton Grade School
Walton, Ilinois Grade School - 2010
Walton, Illinois Store Front Building - 2010
Walton (population 50?) is located in northwestern Illinois in the southwest central portion
of Lee County. Walton is located about 12 miles south of Dixon. Walton Road is the main (and only) roadway that takes
you to and from Walton. The village sits between Sterling Road and Amboy Road about one mile east of Illinois Route 26. Walton
Road is the only street in town. The hamlet of Walton was first settled in 1838 and recognized as a town in 1878. The
village consists of a few houses, an abandoned store building (pictured above) and an abandoned school building
(also pictured above). http://genealogytrails.com/ill/lee/leecitywalton.html
The school above was likely a K - 4 (or less) grade school. It is probable that the school was built in
the 1950s or so. Walton likely supported a grades 1 - 8 school at one time. The children of Walton today probably attend school
in nearby Amboy.
West Jersey Grade School
West Jersey Grade School Building - 2011
Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen
West Jersey (population 100?) is located in west-central Illinois in the southwest portion
of Stark County. Illinois Route 78 is the main roadway to and from West Jersey. County Highway 7 (also known "Jersey Road"
or "Sharkey Hieghway") also passes through West Jersey. A nice history of West Jersey Township can be found on the web address
of http://illinoisancestors.org/stark/twp_hist/westjerseytwp.html . One interesting note is that in 1910 the township had 818 residents, today that number is 320.
The history of the school system in West Jersey is in need of research. It is likely that for several years
the West Jersey kids attended a grades 1 - 8 school in town, completing their high school courses in Toulon, just 8 miles
away. The building pictured above was likely built in the 1950s and served as a grade school for several years. We believe
it houses a business of some sort today. The kids of West Jersey attend school in Toulon as part of the Stark County School
District..
Westfield Corners Grade School
Westfield Corners School, Winnebago County, IL.
Photo Taken By Roberta Van Briesen, 2010 (now a private residence)
Westfield Corners Church, Winnebago County, IL.
Photo Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen - 2010
Wesfield Corners (population 50?) is located in northwestern Illinois in the south-central
portion of Winnebago County.Westfield Corners is about five miles southwest of Rockford. County Highway 27 runs through
Westfield Corners, while County Highway 65 passes to the west of town. According to the web address http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnebago,_Illinois , Westfield Corners was the first settlement in Winnebago County (occurring n the early 1830s) because a stagecoach
route passed through that area.
The Westfield Corners school building pictured above likely served as a grades 1 - 8 school for many years.
It was eventually closed and the building today serves as a private residence.
Wilsonville Grade School
Wilsonville, Illinois School
Wilsonville (population 604) is located in southwestern Illinois in the central portion
of Macoupin County. Illinois Route 138 is the main roadway to and from Wilsonville. Wilsonville sits about 4 miles southwest
of Gillespie. The town was established in 1917 by the Superior Coal Company as a coal mine waas developed in the area. The
town was named after then President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson. Migrant workers quickly moved into the
area to work at the mine, allowing Wilsonville to peak at about 1,500 residents in the 1920s.
The townspeople realized the need for a quality education and immediately began a grade school. Wilsonville
Grade School served the town for many years. Graduates of Wilsonville Grade School would attend high school in Gillespie.
We are not certain when, but the Wilsonville Grade School has been closed. The building has been razed as well,
only a memorial with the school bell remains to mark this bit of history. ( http://macoupinctygenealogy.org/history/wilsonville.html )
Yorktown Grade School
Yorktown Grade School
Yorktown (population approximately 100) is located in northwestern Illinois in the
far northwestern corner of Bureau County. Illinois Route 92 is the main roadway to and from Yorktown. The town is situated
about five miles southwest of Tampico, the birthplace of President Ronald Reagan. The first school in Yorktown was built in
1850. It is believed the Yorktown school was active through the 1960s. The kids of Yorktown attended Tampico High School until
that District consolidated with Prophetstown High School, where the kids of Yorktown currently attend. ( http://www.tampicohistoricalsociety.com/Yorktown_Bureau_Co_History.html )
Zearing Berlin Center Grade School
Zearing Berlin Center Grade School Building 2010
Photo Submitted by Dennis Downey
Zearing (population approximtely 75) is located in northwestern Illinois in the southeast
portion of Bureau County. Zearing is located on County Highway 19 at the intersection of 2050 Avenue North. Illinois Route
34 passes about 2 miles to the northwest of Zearing. The Burlington, Northern, & Santa Fe Railroad line travels through
Zearing. Zearing is about two miles northeast of Malden, and about 10 miles northeast of Princeton.
The Berlin Center School building pictured above is standing on 2030 Avenue North Road about a half mile
southwest of Zearing. It is still in fairly good shape, and once held classes for grades 1 - 8. It may have held one or two
years of high school at one time as well. The kids of Zearing attended Malden High School until that district was absorbed into the Princeton School District.
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