The History of Magnolia High School
Magnolia (population 279) is located in southeastern Putnam County at the intersection of Il. Routes 18 and 89. The Little Sandy Creek runs by the northwest side of town. A town of reference in the area is LaSalle which is . . . read more
The History of Swaney High School
Swaney High School was located in a true country setting. The IHSA web site ( www.ihsa.org ), when listing the athletic accomplishments of the school, refers to it as ( McNabb ) . . . read more
Plaque for John Swaney Consolidated School District No. 532
Hangs in hallway at the the PC Junior High (year unknown) read more
About Mr. John Swaney
SWANEY, John John SWANEY, a farmer living on section 15, Magnolia township, where he owns a valuable and well improved tract of land, was born at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1824, and in the paternal line . . . read more
Magnolia Graded School News Article - Henry Republican 1870
Taken From the Henry Republican September 29, 1870 Putnam County News The Magnolia graded school opened on the 13th inst., with Miss Hattie Fyffe as principal, Miss Mary Younger, teacher of intermediate department, and Miss . . . read more
About Mark Sweany, Mary A. Fuller and Harriet A. Fyffe - Magnolia Principals - 1860's -1870's
Mary A. Fuller was born in Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1841. She entered the Normal School, April 13, 1860, before the occupancy of the new building. She remained until her graduation, in 1863. Immediately after graduation, she . . . read more
Magnolia High School Alumni Directory 1875-1946 (pdf file)
Alumni Directory 1875-1946 read more
OFFICIAL DECISION OF G. W. HUNT, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS - Consolidation of the school districts No. 22, No. 23 and 25 - 1906
OFFICIAL DECISION OF G. W. HUNT, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS OF PUTNAM COUNTY—THE DISTRICTS IN QUESTION ARE LOCATED IN MAGNOLIA TOWNSHIP. In the matter of consolidation of the school districts No. 22, No. 23 and 25, in township . . . read more
List of Swaney Teachers from 1906 to 1920
List from 1921 Yearbook read more
Magnolia 1912 High School Memorial Park and Building Pictures
Magnolia, Illinois (Putnam County) The High School was built in 1912 and demolished in 2006. Source and story for this image (The Threat from Asbestos) Visit the Village of Magnolia read more
Agriculture In The John Swaney School, Magnolia Township, Putnam County - 1907 Document
This text is from a digitally scanned document and may contain spelling errors. The following is selected from a "catalog" of this school printed in sufficient numbers for every home, officer and teacher in the district. It may be . . . read more
WHAT ONE EARNEST TEACHER DID IN PUTNAM COUNTY - November 1907
The following account, taken from a recent number of The Independent, shows what one real live teacher with intelligence and energy can accomplish: "In September, 1904, Mabel Carney, a young Irish girl just out of the Normal . . . read more
John Swaney - A NEW KIND OF COUNTRY SCHOOL - Wisconsin journal of Education - 1908
Wisconsin journal of Education THE OFFICIAL SCHOOL PAPER OF THE STATE (established 1856) Vol. XL OCTOBER, 1908 No. 8 EDITORIAL COMMENT A NEW KIND OF COUNTRY SCHOOL. In every part of our country men are . . . read more
John Swaney Consolidated School - A NEW KIND OF COUNTRY SCHOOL - Sept. 1908
A NEW KIND OF COUNTRY SCHOOL BY O. J. KERN, SUPT. OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY SCHOOLS. ROCKFORD, ILL. (From The World's Work, September, 1908) Beside a country road in Magnolia Township in Putnam County —the smallest in . . . read more
Reference to Swaney School - A history of agricultural education in the United States 1785-1925
The consolidated school in Magnolia Township, Putnam County, Ill. , had a high-school department, in which agriculture, manual training, and home economics occupied a prominent place in 1908. This school was located out in the country, 2 . . . read more
A Country School - John Swaney Consolidated School - American Education, Volume 12 September 1908
The country school, with its ill paid, incompetent teacher and its few dull and uninterested pupils, is a thing of the past in Magnolia Township, Putnam County , 111. Magnolia Township is the smallest township in Illinois, and the people . . . read more
THE JOHN SWANEY SCHOOL By VICTOR C KAYS - 1908
THE JOHN SWANEY SCHOOL By VICTOR C. KAYS Magnolia, 111. Note.—Nine years ago a farmer lad from Putnam County, Ill., enrolled as a student in one of the state normal schools of Illinois. Graduating in 1902, after . . . read more
THE JOHN SWANEY CONSOLIDATED COUNTRY SCHOOL IN MAGNOLIA TOWNSHIP PUTNAM COUNTY ILLINOIS - 1908
The John Swaney Consolidated Country School is located in Magnolia Township Putnam County Illinois beside a country road two miles from the small village of McNabb The building stands near the north side of a beautiful . . . read more
THE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNTRY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION - 1908
This text comes from a digitally scanned historical paper document and may contain spelling errors. THE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNTRY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. The first annual meeting of the Country Teachers’ . . . read more
THE FARM PROBLEM AND ITS SOLUTION - Atlantic Educational Journal, Volumes 4-5 - March 1912
THE FARM PROBLEM AND ITS SOLUTION By Mabel Carney, Formerly President of the Country Teachers' Association of Illinois The John Swaney Consolidated School Of Magnolia Township , Putnam . . . read more
Swaney School Referenced in "The church of the Open Country" - 1911
A New Grouping. One-room school districts should be grouped on a new principle. The county unit is too large and the township is often too small for proper supervision, but the visits of the trained superintendent should be frequent . . . read more
John Swaney School - Agricultural instruction in the public high schools of the United States - 1911
John Swaney School, McNabb, III. The John Swaney School, in north-central Illinois, furnishes a good example of what may be done in an intelligent rural community, independent of any urban influences, and working for a school . . . read more
John Swaney Consolidated School - Country life and the country school - 1912
CONSOLIDATED COUNTRY SCHOOLS Definition and Types. By the consolidation of country schools is meant the union of two or more of them. Four classifications of consolidated schools may be made. The complete or township type, embracing . . . read more
John Swaney Consolidated School - A study in the social relations of Education - 1913
An excellent example of a school of the best type is afforded by the John Swaney Consolidated School in Putnam County, Illinois . It is a high-grade country school for country children, situated two miles from any town or village, on a . . . read more
"A Thoroughly Modern Rural School" - 1913 excerpt from the book "The Challenge of the Country" by Fiske
The finest type of the modern rural school seems to have been at last reports the "John Swaney School" in Putnam County, Illinois, located in the open country two miles from the small village of McNabb. This school was reported to the . . . read more
Do We Owe Mr. John Swaney Rent Money? 1914-16 Document
According to this 1914-16 document: We may owe Mr. Swaney some rent money: Looks like our lease was up in 2006!!!! SOURCE More info on this topic: SOURCE P. 744 read more
Reference to John Swaney School - Better Rural Schools - 1914
The John Swaney consolidated school of Putnam County, Illinois , is another example of a modern rural school serving the entire community. This school, containing laboratories, a library, manual-training shops and a domestic science . . . read more
Reference to John Swaney School - Cost of consolidated schools in Illinois - 1914
Cost of consolidated schools in Illinois .—The following table relative to Illinois consolidated schools was compiled by the State superintendent of public instruction in 1912. It not only gives the cost of maintaining the consolidated . . . read more
Reference to Swaney School Grounds - ELIZABETH LLOYD Story - 1915
SWANEY SCHOOL. Second-day morning we visited the Swaney Consolidated School, the first of its kind in the State. As a part of the opening exercises I talked on "Unseen Forces," and Marianna Burgess gave some of her . . . read more
"THE SCHOOL A SOCIAL CENTER." - JOHN SWANEY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL, McNABB - 1915
"THE SCHOOL A SOCIAL CENTER." JOHN SWANEY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL, McNABB, PUTNAM COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Assessed valuation of consolidated district $318,794 Total revenue of consolidated district 6,119 Rate of tax for all school . . . read more
THE MEANS AND METHODS OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION - NOTABLE EXAMPLES OF CONSOLIDATION - 1915
NOTABLE EXAMPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The John Swaney Consolidated School .1—Probably one of the best examples of consolidation is the John Swaney Consolidated School of Putnam County, Illinois . This school "is one of the best . . . read more
The Teaching of Agriculture in the High School - 1915
In 1906 the rural schools of Magnolia township, Putnam county, Illinois , were consolidated into one central school known as the John Swaney Consolidated School . The school takes its name from the farmer who donated a tract of land . . . read more
John Swaney Consolidated School - The new education: a review of progressive educational movements of the day - 1915
One of the most widely discussed among consolidated schools is the John Swaney Consolidated School, of Putnam County, Illinois .1 The John Swaney School occupies a twenty-four acre campus, lying a mile and a half from the nearest . . . read more
Mr. and Mrs. John Swaney - Sixty-Six Years of Wedded Life - 1915
Mr. and Mrs. John Swaney Taken from the Henry Republican, May 20 1915 Sixty-Six Years of Wedded Life Very few married couples are permitted to enjoy a half century of married life together. Occasionally we know of those . . . read more
McNabb Swaney and Magnolia Twp. 1916-19 School Data - Teachers, enrollment, credits
SOURCE read more
Floor Plans of Teacher's Cottage, JS Consolidated School - 1916
The teachers' cottage at the John Swaney Consolidated School was remodeled from the old one-room schoolhouse. The school employs six teachers. The teachers board with the janitor, and his family. The Directors secure the janitor, and . . . read more
John Swaney Consolidated School - COMMUNITY CIVICS - 1916
A good illustration of what one family can do for the neighborhood comes from Putman County, Illinois , where John Swaney and his wife gave 24 acres of land to found a consolidated school. The tract lies a mile and a half from the . . . read more
Swaney - Images from 1916 Yearbook - Spectrum
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Swaney - Images from 1917 Yearbook - Spectrum
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
THE PASSING OF UNCLE JOHN SWANEY - The Public School Journal, Volume 38 - 1918
This text is from a scanned document and may contain spelling errors. THE PASSING OF UNCLE JOHN SWANEY John Swaney the founder of the Swaney Consolidated School, near McNabb, Putnam Co., Ill., passed away at his old home on October 11. . . . read more
Swaney - Images from 1918 Yearbook - Spectrum
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Reference to Mr. John Swaney - "The Highway" - 1919
The Swaney Consolidated School in Putnam County is only ten or a dozen years old, but the founder of it, Uncle John Swaney, will be ninety-five years old on October 8th. He is loved by a wide circle of personal friends . . . read more
Better Schools - "Uncle John" and "Aunt Sade" - 1920 Document
Better Schools Consolidation of Rural Schools. " Uncle John" and "Aunt Sade ," with other Quaker families, settled in "Clear Creek Community" in Putnam County, Illinois . Religion among Quakers is a week-day practice as well as . . . read more
Swaney - Images from 1920 Yearbook - Spectrum
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John Swaney Consolidated School - Consolidation Data 1921
COMBINED CONSOLIDATED AND COMMUNITY HIGH 'SCHOOLS. John Swaney, Putnam County. Allen Lancaster, Principal. Postoffice, McNabb. Consolidated in country. Number districts consolidated, 3. Organized, 1906. Size of district—square . . . read more
Swaney - Images from 1921 Yearbook - Spectrum
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Football in Putnam County - 1922
Football in Putnam County - 1922 read more
Magnolia Illinois School Photos - Grades 3, 4 and 5 in 1926-1927 School Year
Photos Contributed by Rick Vest Student Names Transcribed by Rick Vest - Contributed by Stella Travis Rick writes - " I spent some time with my aunt (Stella Travis in the pictures) and by using the 1920 and 1930 census to . . . read more
John Swaney School Burns - September 13, 1928
Mysterious Fires Ravage Swaney Edifices Sunday Loss Estimated at $50, 000; Board of Directors contemplate Reconstruction What was once the John Swaney Consolidated school building is now but a mass of ruins, fire of an unknown and . . . read more
1929 Magnolia Basketball Team
Names Enlarged read more
Magnolia HS Basketball Team - 1936-37 School Year
1936-37 School Year read more
Great Player in Magnolia High School History - Richard B. Johnson
One great player in Magnolia High School history was Richard B. Johnson. After completing a very successful high school career Mr. Johnson continued playing basketball in independent leagues in the area. He then . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1940 Yearbook - Spectrum
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John Swaney High School Alumni Directory 1908-1939
This directory was taken from the John Swaney 1940 & 1953 Yearbooks 1908-1915 1916-1923 1924-1930 1931-1935 1936-1939 1940-1946 1947-1951 1952-1953 read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1947 Yearbook - Spectrum
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1948 Yearbook - Spectrum
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1952 Yearbook - The Pirateer
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Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1953 Yearbook - The Pirateer
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1954 Yearbook - Blue and Gold
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Aerial View of Campus - 1954
Black and White photo from yearbook: Colorized View to show more detail: read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1955 Yearbook - Blue and Gold
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1956 Yearbook - Blue and Gold
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1957 Yearbook - The Pirateer
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image . . . read more
John Swaney Township High School Building (Ivy Covered) - 1957
Black and White image from yearbook: Colorized image to show more detail: read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1958 Yearbook - The Oracle
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1959 Yearbook - The Oracle
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1960 Yearbook - The Pirateer
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1961 Yearbook - The Pirateer
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Swaney School Buildings - Images from 1961 & 1964 Yearbooks
Swaney School Buildings read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1962 Yearbook - The Pirateer
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1963 Yearbook - Treasure Chest
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1964 Yearbook - Treasure Chest
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1965 Yearbook - Treasure Chest
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
Magnolia Swaney - Images from 1966 Yearbook - Treasure Chest
View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View Larger Image View . . . read more
History Link: The John Swaney School is a Community Center
The New Education by Scott Nearing
The New Education by Scott Nearing The John Swaney School is a community center The Challenge of the Country by Fiske The town school does not pretend to fit for rural life read more
Is the John Swaney Building Haunted?
Here is a forum post I found from the The Indiana Paranormal Society,
if you have any feedback on this subject please post below:
Link to the original post
read more
John Swaney Junior High School - Old Building & Monuments
John Swaney Junior High School - Old Building & Monuments read more
Magnolis-Swaney Superintendent Jim Debates (1960's)
View the Swaney Prairie Plot in Memory of James R. Debates read more
Magnolia-Swaney Graduation Pictures - 1908-1966
Note: Images open in new window. 1960's 1950's 1940's 1930's 1920's 1910's 1900's 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 . . . read more
Builder Information of the Old Section of the Current John Swaney Building
Information from this plaque - year unknown read more
John Swaney School Painting
Hangs in Hallway at PCJH Painted by: Jerry Robertson of Lake Wildwood Related text that goes along with the painting read more
Past Magnolia-Swaney Principals
Allen H. Lancaster Simon Satterfield - Magnolia Mid 1960's Harry Wierman - McNabb Grade School Early 1900's J. N. Smith - Magnolia - Early . . . read more
Swaney High School "Yells"
Years: 1910's - 1930's read more
Francis Boyle 1922-2011
SOURCE Magnolia Swaney Image from 1959 Yearbook Mr. Boyle as a Board Member at Magnolia-Swaney School History of the Pool School: Compiled and Researched by Francis . . . read more
Magnolia High School Quick Facts
The town of Magnolia was the first permanent settlement in Putnam County The school system in Magnolia was established in 1837 Year opened: 1870 School District # 732 Year brick high school building . . . read more
Swaney High School Quick Facts
Swaney High School was located in a Quaker community Named after John Swaney Swaney High School being named one of the first high schools in Illinois Year . . . read more
The Combes - Mary Jean and Truman
The house that Truman and Mary Jean lived in for many years on the Swaney Campus: Front View - West Side (2012) Rear View - East Side (2012) Buildings Get . . . read more
