1917-1942
Libertyville Township High School (LTHS) was founded in 1917 with just 138 students and seven staff members, originally located in the Brainerd Building as the fourth high school in Lake County. Student life quickly expanded with the school’s introduction of basketball and football teams, clubs, girls’ athletics and fine arts productions. By the late 1930s, LTHS adopted its orange & black colors, the Wildcat mascot—originally named Tom—and added Jackson Gym and the first library.
1943-1968
This era focused on strengthening school traditions while accommodating growing enrollment. In 1946, the Wildcat mascot was officially renamed Willie. The opening of the Butler Lake Campus in 1954 separated upperclassmen and freshmen, majorly reshaping daily life, while the construction of the Crawford House in 1964 honored coach Larry Crawford.
1969-1994
Libertyville High School experienced significant campus expansion during this period. New buildings expanded opportunities for students through new athletic, theatrical and academic spaces. By the end of the 1980s, the school had developed into a more modern, multi-wing campus supporting a wider range of student interests. By the early 1990s, mobile classrooms at Brainerd were introduced to manage overcrowding.
1995-2026
Technological advancement and modernization defined the late 20th and 21st centuries at LHS. The opening of Vernon Hills High School allowed LHS to reunite its student body at one campus. Ongoing renovations, expanded extracurricular activities, media recognition and major facility upgrades supported a growing student body of approximately 1,800 students by 2026.
