An obituary for the old CCHS
Carbondale Community High School’s original building, a social, academic and athletic incubator for generations of hormonal teenagers, died Oct. 1, 2024, at Springer and High streets, when its two, half-ton concrete signs were carefully extracted from above the schoolhouse doors. CCHS was 101 years old. Cause of death was attributed to progress, with old age and neglect as contributing factors.
Born in 1923 to CCHS District 165, the school educated generations of local families. Students often excelled in athletics, such as the 1967 and 1994 state runner-up Terrier
basketball teams. Notable graduates include singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin, actor/filmmaker Ben Falcone and Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens.
Within its brick and mortar exterior and un-air conditioned, poorly ventilated, grimly outdated classrooms, students, teachers, staff and administrators came together to form a community of lasting memories, favorite teachers, teams, clubs, cliques and hangouts, such as the cafeteria, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, Bleyer Field and the smokers wall on High Street, across from “‘the store.”
In the 1960s, CCHS helped Carbondale integrate by absorbing students from Attucks and University School, along with Giant City, DeSoto, and Lincoln Junior High. To accommodate increased enrollment, a new addition was constructed, including classrooms and gymnasium. It survives as an athletic center.
The grande dame of Carbondale schools continued graduating students until 2004, when a modern campus opened at East Walnut Street and Giant City Road. Post-retirement, ownership of the former school became murky, and it suffered from various maladies brought on by abuse and neglect, including roof damage that exposed asbestos and let in the elements.
Vandals, squatters and other human activities further harmed the facility, and when a plan for the Boys and Girls Club to rehabilitate the aging structure fell through, in October 2023, the Carbondale City Council reluctantly approved a plan to purchase and demolish the school. All that will be left are the concrete signposts and sundial, which are to be relocated to the East Campus. Future use of the site is undetermined.
The original CCHS is survived by the East Campus, and preceded in death by Attucks, Brush, Lincoln, U-School and Winkler, among other educational facilities.
A commemoration of all the lives touched by the venerable building will be held at the former school Oct. 12. In lieu of flowers, mourners are urged to keep CCHS in their hearts forever.
• H.B. Koplowitz is a 1969 graduate of Carbondale Community High School and the author of "Carbondale After Dark."