This Week in Galesburg History (July 6, 2026)

 

“This Week in Galesburg History,” brought a new Knox coach, a traitor, a Silver Streak pioneer, and protestors on Henderson St. 

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? 

“This Week in Galesburg History” appears every Monday morning on the WGIL website and  Massey Basketball Blog. 

Dawdy Hawkins- Pekin’s Legendary Coach

Dawdy Hawkins was the legendary coach at Pekin HS, where his teams won two State Championships.

After his retirement, the 1975 IHSA State Basketball Tourney Program featured a story about Coach Hawkins by Peoria Journal-Star writer, Bob Leavitt. 

Caitlin Clark & the WNBA- 10 Questions

Here are ten questions that I have been thinking about…

Collection of Tips from Twitter

Here are some of the best things that I have seen on Twitter over the past week- X/O’s, Motivation, Team Building, Skill Development, Mental Approach, and more. 

4th of July with The Massey Brothers

Glenn, Oswald, Grandma, Ford, Wendell, Dwayne

(This was originally written on July 4, 2012)

Growing up in the 1950's & 1960's, the 4th of July meant one thing- the Massey's getting together. Today it is the "Massey Reunion", back then it was just the Massey brother's getting together with their children and grandchildren.

My grandfather (Cornelius) and my grandmother (Roberta) had five sons. The sons in order of birth were Glenn, Wendell, Wright, Oswald, and Dwayne. Two times a year, the brothers always got together- the Fourth of July and Christmas Eve. As long as they were alive, I don't remember any of them ever missing. It did not matter if the Fourth was on the middle of the week or a weekend, at noon the Massey brothers & families got together.

A-Town’s Kennedy Quinn- Commits to DePaul- “She’s Earned It”

Kennedy Quinn is going into her senior year at A-Town. The 5’6” guard just committed to play D-1 basketball at DePaul University after graduation. 

At A-Town, she has had a tremendous career. Kennedy has lead the Tornadoes to 26-8, 30-5, and 26-6 records her first three years. She has averaged 19.0ppg, 16.8ppg, and 23.0ppg in her first three years. She will enter this season with 1,940 career points. In addition, she has averaged 5 assists/game over the three years. 

1974 Illinois Boys Basketball Class A State Tourney

State Champions- Lawrenceville

Streaks Alumni Profile- Brittany Galloway 2015

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Brittany Galloway from the GHS Class of 2015. 

Brittany brought energy to everything she did as a student at GHS. She was involved in a variety of activities while at GHS. Brittany was one of those students who made the school a better place with her involvement, enthusiasm, and leadership. 

The wonderful news is that Brittany is still impacting GHS. She came back to Galesburg, and is teaching at GHS. Just as a student, she is involved in many areas of the school. GHS is certainly a better place with Brittany as a GHS leader today!!

Galesburg Library Foundation- Shares Why & How I Blog

The Galesburg Public Library is absolutely wonderful. Obviously I enjoy working their archives with old newspapers and GHS Reflectors. 

It is always such an active place. The other day there were 20 children attending a program, people reading, some doing puzzles, others on computers reading news, and a woman doing quilting. There are so many options available to people at the Galesburg Public Library. 

Massey Quiz #52- Cities and Nicknames

This week’s quiz tests your knowledge of cities and their nicknames. Enjoy and good luck. 

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. If you would like- share your score on the Facebook or Massey Blog under the comments. 

1998 Illinois Girls Basketball Class A State Tourney

 

State Champions- Nokomis

Susan Richardson- Escaped Slave in Galesburg

Throughout history there have been many tragic stories. Often we “cushion” the horror of some stories by not attaching people’s names. When we talk about war, we can say a “soldier died,” rather than saying “William Allen died.”

Most of us since grade school have had lessons about slavery. Seldom are slaves referred to by name. In Galesburg, when we think about and talk about slavery, we can attach a name. All of us should become familiar with the tragic story of Susan Richardson. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Jacob Carl 2018

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Jacob Carl from the GHS Class of 2018. 

Jacob was a highly successful multi-sport athlete at GHS, as well as a top student academically. He went on to play football at the Illinois State University. 

The most exciting part of Jacob’s story is that he chose to come back to Galesburg HS as a teacher and a coach.  

This Week in Galesburg History (June 29, 2026)

“This Week in Galesburg History,” there are a lot of new babies in town, The Huddle just keeps growing, and what are we going to do with the Armory?

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? 

“This Week in Galesburg History” appears every Monday morning on the WGIL website and Massey Basketball Blog. 

1952 Hebron State Championship by Bob Frisk

In the 1976 Illinois State Tourney Program for Class A, they had an article looking back at Hebron’s State Championship run. It was written by Bob Frisk, the Sports Editor of Paddock Publications in Arlington Hts. 

Hebron had an enrollment of 98 students. They finished ranked #1 in Illinois with a record of 26-1 going into the State Tourney. They won the title going 34-1.