[3] In Illinois, the general school law on February 15, 1855, provided for taxes across the state to educate all children in the state, and required that each district maintain school for at least 6 months each year.
Under the new law that year, the first school district in Decatur was formed, and the first building exclusively for school purposes, the "Big Brick", was built at the northwest corner of Church and North streets, and opened in 1857.
[3] High school was first held on September 22, 1862, in the east room of the Big Brick, and later in the basement of the Baptist church.
[3] The first high school commencement was on June 20, 1867, at Powers Hall, with four girls graduating.
[3] The first purpose-built high school building was opened in September 1869 at North and Broadway streets.