The Redlands High girls gymnasium, a relic, is still in use.
By John Murphy
Thursday night I left Highland and crossed the wash into Redlands.
I parked in a lot on Orange Street behind Chipotle and the closed Starbucks, fired up some Outlaw Country on my Smart phone and headed out.
Past the train depot built in 1909 and the Flamingo bar and Joe Greensleeves restaurant I went. Then up State Street where restaurant and bar owners set up for that night’s influx of outdoor diners in these COVID-19 times.
Eventually I found myself at 840 East Citrus Avenue, better known as Redlands High School. Founded in 1891, it is the oldest public high school in the state still functioning on its original site. Amazingly, I was able to stride right onto the South Campus due to some ongoing front-gate construction.
Redlands High has a rich history. Athletically, it won a state rugby title in 1909 and a section football championship in 1961. Renowned coaches Brian Billick, Jerry Tarkanian and Dave Aranda all spent time there. Former or current pro athletes Dick Stockton, Julio Cruz, Jacob Nottingham, Greg Horton, Patrick Johnson and Jim Weatherwax were all Terriers. So was Joan Baez, better known for her soprano voice and protest songs of the 1960s and computer whiz Felicia Lopez, my girlfriend’s daughter who is now, gulp, 30. Where does the time go?
I like old architecture, so Redlands High is in my power alley. There’s the Clock Auditorium built in 1928 and the ancient girls gymnasium erected in 1936 for $115,493 with Works Project Administration money. I once wrote a story for the Press-Enterprise about this old beauty with its cream paint, beautiful arches and relic of a clock with a hand that travels in a circular motion. Too funny.
Two days after that hike I returned, this time to the North Campus. It was a short trek. I saw the weight room fashioned from what I think was an old wood shop and the path leading to the 5,500-seat Dodge Field. I was also drawn to the blue door of the field house where the players dress in lockers once owned by USC and the coaches’ office where Jim Walker and Derrick Dial and now Mike McFarland have plotted.
“TERRIER FOOTBALL” it says on the top step of the small staircase, followed by “BROTHERS” one step down and the year “07-08” on the bottom step. Those were good times at Redlands High School, a part of the tapestry. Next, I look forward to COVID-19 passing into history and for the students to return to 840 East Citrus Avenue and campuses elsewhere around the land.
Main Street Dog 