LA MOILLE - Because of a generous donation made by Joseph Allen in 1887, LaMoille is now home to the oldest continuously operating school in the state of Illinois. To honor their community’s unique piece of educational history, a bell ringing festival will be held at the school on Saturday, Aug. 10 and the public is invited.

Born in Massachusetts in 1813, Joseph Allen moved to Bureau County at the age of 23. After a year living west of Princeton, he moved to a farm just north of LaMoille, which he named Greenfield. With his oxen, Allen spent the next 50 years farming and during that time became very prosperous.

Although Allen never married and had no children, his will included a provision that $35,000 be given to the town of LaMoille for a new school. His request was that $25,000 be used to build a school and the remaining $10,000 be set aside to be used for maintenance of the building.

After Allen’s death on April 17, 1887, ground was acquired to form a town square where the school would be located. Before construction could begin, several homes had to be moved to make room for the school. Allen School was built under the direction of T.H. Calwell of Ottawa and was dedicated to Joseph Allen on Aug. 30, 1888. Classes began at the new school that fall and the first graduating class of four students received their diplomas in 1889.

For several years the school housed eight grades plus a three-year high school. During the 1916-1917 school year, Allen School became LaMoille Community High School with a standard four-year curriculum. The school’s assembly hall became the host of major civic events including plays, traveling entertainment, and visits by prominent speakers and politicians who visited the school.

Basketball games were also played on the assembly floor (second floor). This was unsatisfactory, however and for several years basketball was played at the community hall. In 1941, with school enrollment steadily growing, a new much needed gym was finally built just south of the main building. In 1955, high school classes were moved to the new LaMoille Community High School. 

In 1987, Allen School celebrated its 100th anniversary and in 1996, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Bell Ringing Event

To honor their historic school building and the man who made it possible, Allen Jr. High will hold their first annual bell ringing at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 north of the school. Superintendent Jay McCracken said they plan to make this a fun annual event to kick off the school year with music, local dignitaries, a brief history and activities for kids to enjoy. Tours of the school will also be given that day beginning at 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

In addition, flowers will be taken to Allen’s grave in honor of the school’s benefactor and McCracken noted that they plan to do this prior to the start of school each year.

Among the interesting bits of history housed at the school are an antique telescope located in the bell tower and an old Victrola. McCracken said he is very impressed with how well the school has been maintained over 131 years. “I commend LaMoille for being good stewards,” he said. “It is a wonderful piece of history.”

As for the bell, McCracken pointed out that it actually predates Allen School, having been used at LaMoille’s previous school in the mid 1800s. “The bell has not been rung prior to the start of school in decades,” he said. “We are very excited about this event, it will be fun.”