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.

With Homecoming on the horizon, the Pepper Bough wants to acknowledge winners of the past as we anticipate this year’s winners.

“Festivities generate surprising spirit” is the Homecoming headline in the 1974 Crimson & Gold, describing the week leading up to the big game on November 2, 2973. That week, classes waged war over who had the greater spirit, competing in “wackies” like the banana eating and Coke drinking contests, along with volleyball and table tennis tournaments. On Halloween day, class reps were dressed up and a costume contest was held at the student store. The seniors finished the week as the “undisputed ruling class of Colton High School.”

The big game was a nailbiter, but Colton prevailed over Palm Spring, 16-14 in front of a crowd of over 5,500 fans at Memorial Stadium.

Halftime activities began in dramatic fashion as that year’s Grand Marshal, “You and the Law” teacher Jim Hayes, kicked off that year’s activities by landing on the 50-yard line in a helicopter.

Homecoming Court that year included “Cross-Country Queen” Martha Perez, escorted by Wayne Jacobson; “Football Queen” Robin Tidwell, escorted by Randy Sutton; princess Yolanda Zaragoza, escorted by Martin Trevino; princess Ruth Resendez, escorted by Robert Almanza; and princess Candy Henderson, escorted by John Houy.