I thought I knew everything about El Paso High School. After all, I spent four years there, graduated from there and have covered many of the school’s athletic events.
So I was somewhat surprised to learn that several tunnels under the school and stadium that run all the way to the street at the bottom of the hill and beyond were included when the school was built in the 1910s.
What’s more I learned that one of the tunnels was used as a morgue and some bodies were buried there because there was no place else for them at the time. (That tunnel has since been blocked off.)
I’d heard rumors of a “Haunted Hall” when I was attending classes there in the 1940s but I just dismissed it as some kind of made-up ghost story.
Now I’m wondering.
Montes is a remarkable fellow in many ways. He’s not only a historian, one of the school’s biggest boosters and a former district golf champion, but he also does the announcing for El Paso High School football, volleyball and basketball games and various other school events. And all that while working full time at Kemp Smith Law Firm.
He’s blessed with a strong, clear voice that makes one think he would be a great addition to some local radio or TV station.
TRIVIA QUESTION: A team in the NBA had a record of 9-73 one year. Can you name it and the year? Answer at end.
AH, EMAIL. Ain’t it great? I’ve received so many congratulations on being chosen Outstanding Ex at El Paso High School my inbox almost crashed. Thanks to all who sent them. But more than that, email is a great way to keep up with other folks. And you run into some very interesting stories. Like the following:
PETE HERLIN writes “My brother and sister went to EPHS in the 30’s, I finished there in ‘42 and Betty in ‘44. I lived on Campbell Street. My neighbors were George McAlmon, Sara Jane Norton and Louie Hernandez. My teachers were the Kellys, Tepper, Jones, Harper and Frank. The school was outstanding and I made lots of friends. The building is outstanding … if you are looking for a story on an outstanding EPHS person, I recommend Louis Hernandez. He graduated in 1941, went in the Air Force, flew a B17, was shot down and lived with the underground, got back to England, then started flying B29s. After the war and college, he became a teacher and finally ended up as principle of Bowie High School. He died about five years ago. His father worked for Popular Dry Goods. His older brother was high up in the Air Force. Our oldest son is named Louis.”
ANOTHER EMAIL of interest comes from Charles Hill. Just about everyone I asked to predict how the UTEP Miners would do in football this year picked them to have a winning season. Not Hill. Instead of 9-3 like my crystal ball predicted he turned it around and said it would be more like 3-9. That was such a departure from what other folks were saying it was sort of a shock. But he’s sticking to his guns. In fact, he says he might have been too optimistic.
HERE’S WHAT he emailed: “From one Tiger to another congratulations on being chosen Outstanding Ex … Have you taken your crystal ball in for a checkup after its prediction for UTEP’s football season? I’m afraid my prediction of 3-9 may have been optimistic. UTEP’s defense couldn’t stop me if I was the running back running through those gaping holes. I hope the crystal ball is seeing better before it predicts Miner basketball.”
Ouch!
TRIVIA ANSWER: The Philadelphia 76ers in 1972-73.