In 1906, the one-room school districts of Clear Creek, Center, and Mathis voted to form Consolidated District No. 532, the first consolidated grade and high school formed in Illinois. Built in 1906-7, a three-story brick building housed eight elementary grades and four years of high school, offering a fully accredited four-year course of study for entrance into the state university. Capt. John Swaney donated the 24-acre campus, and the school was named after him. The school also honored John and Sarah Swaney, pioneers of the community whose generosity made it possible, and included the Class of 1910.