Galesburg’s Time Capsule: Student walkouts, Flunk Day, and a father-daughter coaching duo

Evan Massey is a retired Galesburg High School girls basketball coach and one of the most successful coaches in Illinois history. He is a regular contributor to WGIL. His history blog, quiz features, and weekly Time Capsule column appear regularly at wgil.com.

This is a look back at the history of Galesburg and the world. What was going on 100 years ago, 75 years ago, 50 years ago, 25 years ago, and 10 years ago this week?

100 years ago — 1926

Newspaper clipping from April 1926 reporting East Moline High School students walking out to protest the firing of Principal J.W. Casto.
East Moline High School students walked out of school in April 1926 to protest the firing of their principal. (Photo provided)

East Moline High School students walked out of school to protest the firing of their principal.

75 years ago — 1951

Newspaper clipping from 1951 reporting Knox College students and faculty taking a day off for the school's annual Flunk Day.
A newspaper clipping from 1951 reporting on Knox College’s annual Flunk Day. (Photo provided)

Knox College students had classes cancelled for the school’s annual Flunk Day.

50 years ago — 1976

A 1976 newspaper page featuring an advertisement for Kline's department store in downtown Galesburg alongside a list of Galesburg High School honor roll students.
A 1976 newspaper page featuring an ad for Kline’s in downtown Galesburg and the GHS honor roll. (Photo provided)

The newspaper had an ad for Kline’s in downtown Galesburg, along with a list of all the GHS honor roll students. You may recognize some familiar names.

 

25 years ago — 2001

Newspaper clipping from 2001 featuring Carlos Duncan and the Galesburg Youth Athletic Club.
Carlos Duncan and his Galesburg Youth Athletic Club were recognized for their work with Galesburg youth in 2001. (Photo provided)

Carlos Duncan and his Galesburg Youth Athletic Club were recognized for all they had done for youth in Galesburg.

10 years ago — 2016

 

Veteran GHS coach Mick Hickey worked as an assistant for his daughter, Christy, at ICS in Monmouth.

Newspaper clipping from 2016 featuring ICS track coach Christy Woodard and her father, veteran GHS coach Mick Hickey.
Veteran GHS coach Mick Hickey served as an assistant for his daughter, Christy Woodard, at ICS in Monmouth in 2016. (Photo provided)

Evan Massey writes regularly for WGIL. Find more of his work at the links below.

📝 Massey Basketball Blog

🐦 Follow Evan on Twitter/X

👍 Massey Basketball on Facebook

ReCENT POSTS

Loading...