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.

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!