Community Corner

The Formative Years

A look back at the first years of Grayslake High School, when classes were held at teacher's homes, grade schools and the Masonic Hall.

What do you remember about your high school years? Several members of the initial classes of Grayslake Community High School shared their unique experiences on a Saturday morning over coffee in the community room of the Grayslake Heritage Center.

The first seniors, juniors and sophomores had started their high school years at neighboring schools: Grant, Warren and Libertyville.  They quickly melted into one cohesive group.   

Although school began in September of 1946, the building did not open until November. For those first several weeks, classes were held in various locations through out the village. Home economics classes were held on the porch of the home of the home economics teacher. There were classes on the stage of the grade school, at the corner of Lake Street and Belvidere Road, and in the Masonic hall. 

Find out what's happening in Grayslakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Churches hosted classes as did the  school bus garage. Buses were used to take students to their classes with a 15-minute travel time. There was no passing bell or chime, just the honk of a bus horn.

The initial practices of the football team were held at a golf course while the first games were held on a field on Atkinson Road east of the Village. Ironically, the field was used by Naval pilots from Glenview Air Base to practice “touch and go” landings. The football team used it to make touchdowns.

Find out what's happening in Grayslakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There were insufficient funds to build the football field so members of the community, including students, parents, businessmen and civic leaders, pitched in.  Sod was purchased from a local farmer for a nominal fee and citizens loaned their trucks to transport it.

Many hands laid the field, even in the rain. Then the football games were played on grass formerly used by cattle for grazing.  The heat for the new building was in the floors. There were some problems besides warm feet: tiles curled and chair legs left dents in them.

The first classes at the school chose their mascot, school colors, and yearbook and newspaper names. It was said that the mascot, Rams, was chosen because the coach had acquired football uniforms formerly used by the Los Angles Rams. Green and white became school colors because neighboring high schools had the other colors.  One day the entire school population met in the grade school gymnasium and within one hour all the final choices were made by vote.

The first prom was held at a country club in Waukegan.  The first graduation was held in the new gymnasium, but under the stars as the structure was not yet completed. A few years later a ram’s head was hung over the stage. It was donated by an appliance dealer, who was a successful game hunter.   

The Grayslake Historical Society recently held an event at the Grayslake Heritage Center to look back at the history of the school and to bring former graduates together to tell their tales. Attendees at the coffee recalled making floats for homecoming. They were made with chicken wire stuffed with paper napkins. 

Another attendee recalled the homecoming bonfires. There would be a huge pile of lumber, branches and  other combustible material piled behind the school. For a few years the students were able to locate an outhouse to crown the huge pile. Cheers and pep talks were given as the pile burned.  Then the cheerleaders would lead a snake dance that wound through the neighborhood.  Anyone could join the long line of people as long as they could hold on.  

World War II had just ended and veterans were returning home.  The first class had young men who had been drafted at age 16 while still in school. They returned to civilian life and to complete their high school careers.  Former teachers were recalled. Most of them were just a few years older than the students. 

Attendees laughed as others demonstrated gestures and used words of their former mentors. The first superintendent lasted only a year due to a nervous breakdown.    A member of the fifth graduating class told how she was always reprimanded for sneezing every day in class. It was not until years later that it was realized that the teacher started the class by opening a window.  Allergies were not a health issue back then. 

The reminiscing session was declared a success and the Grayslake Historical Society plans to host similar coffees in the future. The next topic has not yet been chosen. If there are stories you would like to hear about Grayslake, let the Society know.  All stories will be recorded and housed in the Archives of the Society, located in the lower level of the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum. The Archives are open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment.

Call the Grayslake Historical Society at 847-223-7663 for more information.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here