DeKalb Township High School Collection, 1864-1982 | Northern Illinois University

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Collection Overview

Title: DeKalb Township High School Collection, 1864-1982

ID: RHC/RC/053

Extent: 3.0 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 00/00/1965

Subjects: DeKalb Township High School, Education., High Schools, Yannigans

Forms of Material: Newsletters.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

These records partially document the history of the DeKalb Township High School from 1864 to 1987, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1903 to 1950. Although there are no records documenting administrative activities, the materials do provide information on social functions and organizations and sports events. The majority of the collection consists of high school publications: The Barb; The Barblet; New Pennies; and the Kalibre, the annual yearbook. Also included is one of the first composition books from 1864-1865, and a sewing class notebook from 1917. Researchers should note that the collection also contains material which documents the Benign Order of the Yannigans. The Yannigans, a social club that sponsored and was involved in community sports, was formed in 1909 by several high school boys and continued to meet annually until 1941

Collection Historical Note

The first record of a graded school including high school level classes in DeKalb is that of a school built in 1861 at Third and Prospect Streets. In 1874 a class of four was graduated from this high school by Principal Ella C. Dunbar. This school was accredited by the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University by 1894. When D.F. Herr became Superintendent of Schools in 1896, the four year course schedule and half-year promotions were instituted.

The DeKalb Township High School building was constructed in 1903. Additions were made in 1923 including a swimming pool, woodworking shops, athletic facilities, and a library. This school remained in use until the new building was built on Barb Boulevard and Fourth Streets in 1966. In August of 2011 a new DeKalb High School was dedicated at 501 West Dresser Road. [The former High School on South Fourth Street has become Huntley Junior High, and the former Huntley is now Founders Grade School.]

As the area around DeKalb grew the Administration of the schools changed. From 1901 to 1954 separate systems were used for the elementary and high school, but in 1954 DeKalb set up a community unit district, # 428, to replace the dual system. This is the system under which the schools are presently administered.

Subject/Index Terms

DeKalb Township High School
Education.
High Schools
Yannigans

Administrative Information

Repository: Northern Illinois University

Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Acquisition Source: individual donations, Waite W. Embree

Acquisition Method: The DeKalb Township High School Collection came to the Northern Illinois University Archives through individual donations (1965-1970's), and from material collected by and donated by Waite W. Embree in 1967 to the University. Between January and May 1978 these items were transferred to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center by the University Archivist. Additional materials were added to the collection at later dates.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[All]

Box 2

Folder 1-13: The Barb, 1921-1935
Folder 14: The Barblet, 1937-1938

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[All]