Posted in Illinois December 29, 2015 by

Illinois Schools In The Early 1900s May Shock You. They’re So Different.

Schools used to look a lot different in Illinois in the early 1900s, particularly with segregation still in effect. Here are some photos of how schools used to operate in Illinois in the early 1900s.

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1. This is a shot of the entrance southside of Chicago, Illinois.
Russel Lee/Photogrammar
2. This is a shot outside a Chicago high school for African-Americans.
Edwin Rosskam/Photogrammar
3. This is a picture of a high school graduating class in Chicago, class of 1941.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
4. Bobby Senise is on safety patrol outside this school in Blue Island, Illinois in 1943.
Jack Delano/Photogrammar
5. This was a school solely for African-American students in Colp, Illinois.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
5. This is a school that black children attended in Tent City near Shawneetown, Illinois.
Russell Lee/Photogrammar
6. This is what the Herrin, Illinois school looked like in 1939.
Arthur Rothstein/Photogrammar
7. The Ida B. Wells Housing Project community center was used as a kindergarten by the public school system.
Jack Delano/Photogrammar

Do you have any old photos of Illinois schools? Be sure to share them on the Only in Illinois Facebook page!