Old Coronado High School

Mosaic of the Seven Arts, by Joe Gatti, an art teacher at Coronado '61-84.

Photo from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure - See San Dimas on bus

Photo from Haver and Nunn Architects

Coronado High School opened in 1961, designed by famous Phoenix midcentury architect, Ralph Haver.  The building was made mostly of precast concrete. The distinctive zigzag roofline has been incorporated slightly into the 2006 remodel, but the midcentury beauty is gone forever.  They did save the mural, Mosaic of the Seven Arts by Joe Gatti, seen in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, one of several movies that have been filmed at Coronado.  I taught there in 1980-82, and loved the spirit of the "Dons."  Their fight song begins with a beautiful Spanish-style trumpet prelude, perfect for a Don or Donnette.  In keeping with the Conquistador theme, the marching band and flag team used to wear beautiful red capes, like a bull-fighter. The Dons may have lost their building, but the spirit of the Dons fights on.

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