Old Covina High, 1961

Covina Union High School, formerly located on the west side of Citrus Avenue between Puente and Dexter Streets.

Click image for an enlargement.

Opening in 1909, CUHS graduated 48 classes of seniors until it was replaced by the present high school in 1956. West Covina High School got its start on the old campus in academic year 1957-58, with Edgewood High following in 1958-59. This photo was taken in the summer of 1961 after the main building was abandoned, as the numerous broken windows attest.

The gymnasium of the old high school was burned down by child arsonists on the night of June 10, 1962. It was a spectacular fire. We could see the flames all the way from our house in the Covina hills. The Pasadena Independent reported that the presence of over a thousand spectators on the surrounding streets hampered efforts to contain the blaze. The entire campus was razed for redevelopment in 1963.

 

Strapping Youth

Unknown Covina Union High School Colt varsity baseball player from the 1930s. Photo attributed to Burton O. Burt, who was active in California and the Southwest in the early 20th century.

Image courtesy of seller tobeacat66 on eBay.

Some people I showed this to thought it might be a picture of a young "Doc" Sooter–the semi-legendary CHS sports coach–but one of them asked his surviving brother about it and it turns out Doc was still living with his family in Missouri at the time this photo was taken. So the young man's identity remains a mystery.

Anyway, regardless of who it is, this is a great image of a pre-War Covinan! His face really lights up the room, doesn't it?