Colton High School opened in 1895. It is one of the oldest high schools in the Inland Empire. In this daily feature, we celebrate Colton High’s rich history.

The MacIntosh Gym is one of the most important places on Colton High’s campus, and it is named for one of Colton High’s most important figures.

Donald H. McIntosh was a teacher, athletic director, and principal at Colton High School, who ushered in an era of quality sportsmanship, commendable citizenship, and educational leadership.

MacIntosh was born in Washington state in 1884. He came to California in 1905, and made the state his home. He lived in Hemet Valley, San Diego, Covina, and Colton. He did his collegiate work at Occidental College and U.C. Berkeley, where he was first introduced to coaching.

In 1917, MacIntosh enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve as infantry during World War I. He served as surgeon assistant and anesthetist in an operating room. In one of his missions he was sent to France as part of the First Army Corps. They rushed in to stop an enemy attack as part of the battle of Belleau Wood. MacIntosh risked his life many times to save lives.

In 1925, MacIntosh came to Colton High after teaching in Covina, CA. He was worried about the “unsportsmanlike” reputation of Colton and its athletes, which had put the school’s athletic department in poor standing with the California Interscholastic Federation (C.I.F). Within a year, Colton’s athletic program was back in good standing, and commended by C.I.F. for its citizenship.

MacIntosh took over as Colton High principal in 1930, and continued to serve in that position for the next 30 years, retiring in 1960. He was essential to the organization of Colton High and making Colton High an academic institution in good standing within the Inland Empire and beyond.