Demolition Of Jefferson High School Underway In Central El Paso

The demolition of Jefferson High School has begun as crews begin to tear the building down in Central El Paso.

It's the end of an era as the original Jefferson High School building gets demolished to make room for the new state-of-the-art campus which is now actively open to students and staff.

In 2014, El Paso Independent School District was considering consolidating Jefferson High and Bowie together since, according to the district, the population at both schools had been dwindling.

Seven years later, Jefferson High School is still standing (sort of).

Instead of merging the two schools, the El Paso Independent School District approved a bond in 2016 for modernization construction improvements, including the demolition of the original building, making room for a new campus across from the University Medical Center of El Paso.

Jefferson High School opened in 1947 (formerly Burleson Elementary) to help with the overcrowding of students at the time. Seventy-five years later, the iconic school is currently being razed and will serve as a new parking lot next to the new 3-story school that has already gone up.

As sad as that may be, students and staff are getting a modern facility with a new cafeteria, library, and science labs. Other amenities include a new athletics weight room, renovations to the auxiliary gym, new softball and baseball fields, school bus loops, and parking lots.

Before the wrecking, the crew of Ghosts 915 hosted three last ghost tours on-premises, inviting the public inside for one last time. The tours were so successful that over 250 folks showed up for each ghost tour to get a glimpse before the school was gone forever.

Jefferson High School is home to the Silver Foxes and one of the nationally recognized magnet schools on campus with careers in the medical field.

Plus, it's also well known for its annual balls, the selection of an ROTC queen, and the awarding of its exclusive "J" sweaters, including its notable alumni such as:

• Professional wrestler Eddie Guerrero
• Alberto Almanza Mexico Olympic basketball Player 1960, 1964
• Richard Ramirez aka, the Night Stalker