Alhambra Township Schools
Alhambra School
Schools were conducted as early as 1820 in Alhambra Township, but
the first schoolhouse in Alhambra village was built in 1856. In
1879, a substantial, two-story frame building was erected on the
same site. In 1921, a new, two-story brick edifice was built on a
site donated by Adolph Hitz. The contract for the construction of
the school was awarded to John L. Schwager. This building, named
Alhambra School, housed
both the grade school and a three-year high school. Schwager erected
a four-room building, at a cost of $15,766. M. B. Kane was the
architect. Two rooms on the first floor could be opened into one
large auditorium by closing the folding doors. The basement housed a
playroom for students during inclement weather, a space for the
boiler and coal supply, indoor toilets, and a large storage room.
In 1954, the Alhambra School District became a part of the Highland
Community School District, and the schoolhouse in Alhambra was
enlarged to include a gymnasium and cafeteria adequate for an
elementary united of the consolidated district.
Big Rock School
Big Rock School was located north of Alhambra, at the northwest
corner of Reding and Dauderman Roads. Teachers include Alice
Warderman (1881); Minnie Osward (1902); Leonard P. Wetzel; Adelia
Leuscher (1938); and Verna K. Abert (1948). The school closed in
1944, due to a small enrollment. In 1941, only 4 pupils were
enrolled. The schoolhouse was put up for sale in May 1951.
Conn School
Conn School was located 2 ½ miles northeast of Marine, on Fruit
Road, in section 33 in the southern portion of Alhambra Township. It
was erected sometime before Oct. 1891. Teachers include Letha Cain
(1896-97); Lottie Reinhart (1897-98); and Matilda J. Schirmer. The
Christian Church at Marine used the Conn Schoolhouse for their
meeting place for seven years, until a church was erected in 1871.
In July 1926, a strong hailstorm knocked in all window panes of the
school. It is unknown when the school closed, but the building was
up for sale in 1951.
Hoxsey School
Hoxsey School was located on Hoxey Dr. (spelling of the name was
changed), just south of Hwy. 140, on the western border of Alhambra
Township. The Hoxsey family settled in Alhambra Township, and
erected a 16-room home that dominated the rich prairie. The home was
also used as a hotel. The family gave an acre of land for school
purposes, and the one-room, white clapboard frame Hoxsey Schoolhouse
was erected sometime before 1873. At times the teacher would board
in the Hoxsey Hotel. Teachers included Miss Conrad (1935) and Miss
Farrell (1942). Roy Olive, who became Edwardsville School District
superintendent for 10 years, began his 39-year career in education
in 1946, teaching at the Hoxsey School. Due to low enrollment, the
school closed in 1949, and the building was put up for sale in 1953.
Eventually, Ramon Hosto moved into the old school, making it his
home. He added bedrooms, a bath, and modern kitchen, but the
one-room schoolhouse was still recognizable as the living room of
the home.
Messerly School
All that could be found on the Messerly School in Alhambra Township
was that Louis Baer was one of the teachers.
Reid School
Reid School was located 4 miles north of Marine, and ½ mile east of
Rt. 43 in section #32 of Alhambra Township. It was built before
1860. The schoolhouse was used beginning in 1860 by the Christian
Church at Marine for their meeting place. Following the death of
Henry Seibert, who willed half of his estate to the Alhambra school
district, Reid School was renamed Seibert School.
Seibert School
The will of Henry Seibert left his estate to the Alhambra Township
school district and to the poor of Madison County. Half went to the
school district. It was the only school in Madison County, and one
of the few in Illinois, which was supported in part by income from
an estate.
Mr. Seibert was a young farmer of Alhambra when he entered the Civil
War. He realized that he might not return from the war, so on
October 4, 1862, he wrote a will, leaving but a very small amount to
relatives. Word was received that Seibert died at the hospital at
Gravely Springs, Alabama, of pneumonia, on February 6, 1865, and was
buried at that place. The letter, signed by
Captain I. K. McLean of Company E, 3rd Illinois Regiment, stated
that he was a good man, and a brave and faithful soldier. The
relatives of Henry contested the will, but the will stood firm. Two
sisters, Catherine Heuser and Mary Schneider, were given $50 each.
His mother received $200, and Elizabeth Loyd received certain notes.
Sale of the property was attempted on November 29, 1867, but the
legal description was incorrect, and the property was re-advertised.
The sale was finally held, with one tract of 90 acres being
purchased by Charles Espensehied for $6,390, and another tract of
106 acres by James Carroll for $8550. This would amount to $246,735
in 2021 dollars. In 1942, a memorial was dedicated to the memory of
Henry Seibert. Reid School, located 4 miles north of Marine, and ½
mile east of Rt. 43 in section #32, was renamed Seibert School, and
the money from Seibert’s will financially supported the school until
1951, when it was put up for sale.
Suhre School
Suhre School was located at Suhre and Brandt Rd., northwest of the
village of Alhambra. The building was erected before August 1889. In
1934, the building was repainted inside and out. Teachers include
Annie King (1889), Virginia Grade (1926), Eva Roe (1930-1931), and
Wilma Mills (1933-1934). This school closed in the Fall of 1940, due
to small enrollment. The building was for sale in 1953.
West School
West School was located near Kaufman Station, Alhambra Township,
east of Rt. 4, and south of Hwy. 140. It was built sometime before
September 1892, in School District #30. Teachers include J. Hollis
(1892), Addie Williams (1896), and Betty Sedlacek (1947). The
building was improved with new slate blackboards in 1896. The school
was still in use in 1947, but was up for sale in May 1951.
Wider Range School
Wider Range School was located in the northeast corner of section 35
in Alhambra Township, on Dauderman Road, two miles south of Rt. 140.
The schoolhouse was erected sometime before 1873. On May 29, 1924, a
few hours after the school had closed for the summer, the
schoolhouse was set on fire and burned to the ground. A reward of
$100 was offered by the schoolboard. A new one-room schoolhouse was
constructed, which was in use by November 1924. The building was
later used by the Alhambra Baptist Church.
After schools were consolidated, the building was sold to Calvin
LeBegue, and moved to 211 E. North Street in Alhambra, where it
served as part of his home.
Former teachers at the Wider Range School include Ella Kane (1891);
Orville Harris (1920); Orville Harris, Margaret Kilduff, Leila
Messerli, Leone Chapple, Rosalie McKelvey, Leona Suessen, Mildred
Bouillon, Mildred Paine, Eva Sander, Mildred Meyer, Mamie Brown,
Hirrel Dauderman, Della Mead, and Walsie Gentry (1921-1943).