The DeQuincy High School Class of 1959 celebrated their 66th Anniversary Saturday, Oct. 4 Seventeen members of that class, family and friends gathered at the DeQuincy Railroad Museum to dedicate a memorial plaque in honor of their class members, including some who attended DeQuincy High School sometime over the years but moved away before graduation.
This memorial represents 66 years of history and a legacy of pride in small town life. This class was the end of an era when all 12 grades, first grade through graduation, were all on the same property. The building where this class graduated was built in 1909 and was used for lower grades until it was torn down in 2010. The Class of 1959 was the last class to graduate in the auditorium of that old building.
Many of those graduates began their education on that property in 1947 and continued through graduation May 18, 1959. Although few of them still live in DeQuincy, the close friendships made at 304 E. McNeese St. and the memories shared will remain long after the building is gone.
The education we received over those 12 years prepared and inspired many who became world class teachers, judges, architects, war heroes, entrepreneurs, lawyers, mothers and fathers.
Anyone who has family who was a member of DeQuincy High School class of 1959 will hopefully take time to view the plaque mounted in front of the Railroad Museum.
