Photo: Wikipedia
It was the day that hundreds of people in San Antonio had been longing for. Saturday November 18th 1972, fifty years ago, when “Ol’ Ski Nose” himself, the legendary entertainer Bob hope came to town for the official dedication of an Elementary School named in his honor. The Bob Hope Elementary school is located at 3022 Reforma Drive.
Photo: Entrance to Bob Hope Elementary School…Author
Although the $192,000 school had actually been in operation since March of that year, the dedication and visit by Bob Hope had to be delayed in order to fit in with his heavy schedule. But finally, the day had arrived !!
The entertainer was full of jokes for the occasion, telling the crowd that “I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for grammar school. I spent 10 of the best years of my life there”
He went on, “ I want you to know that this is kind of a thrill for a sandbox dropout”
The crowd of entertained onlookers, estimated to be close to 2,000, were hanging on every word that he said.
He also made a reference to his hometown of Cleveland when he quipped, “ There is no school named after me in Cleveland. I can tell you that. All they did was put a plaque on my desk….. Bob Hope slept here”
On a more serious note though, Bob Hope told the students, “You’re so lucky to be going to an American school where you can study to be what you want to be. This is the basis of it all”
At the school dedication that day, Bob Hope shared the stage with Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez, City Councilman Ed Hill and dignitaries from the school and school district. Entertainment was supplied by a band from the Southwest High School, and also elementary students who performed a Mexican hat dance.
It proved to be a long day for the entertainer who had earlier arrived at the San Antonio airport at 2:30am, flying in from Louisiana, and spent the rest of the night at the St Anthony Hotel, before departing to the school for the 1pm ceremony.
So….why the Bob Hope Elementary School ?
Well, during the school’s construction, the students were offered the opportunity to name their school. It was noted that they kept referring to a “happy” place. When they were pressed further…the term “the happy man” was constantly mentioned. Intrigued teachers asked who they meant, and the name Bob Hope kept coming up. The legendary entertainer was then asked if the school in the South West Independent School District could be named after him, and to the delight of everyone, he readily agreed to the honor.
Photo: Author
Photo: Author
At the ceremony that day 50 years ago, the students presented the entertainer with an inscribed putter and a golf hat with the initials B.H.E emblazoned on the front. It was a day to remember…and to Bob Hope we say, “Thanks for the memories”
Photo: Author
Photo: bhe.swisd.net
Additional stories:
- His name and legacy also lives on at another location in San Antonio….The Bob Hope Performing Arts Center at Lackland AFB. This entertainment venue is used for military shows and gatherings, and is a tribute to Bob Hope and his 50 years of involvement with America’s military. It was named in his honor in 1990 and once again Bob Hope attended the naming ceremony.
Photo: Bob Hope Performing Arts Center at Lackland AFB….Foursquare
- Before he was known as Bob Hope, his performing name was Leslie Townes Hope, and as a young up-and-coming entertainer, he was part of a dancing duo called “The Dancemedians.” At one time he worked as a dancing partner of the famous San Antonio conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton. You can read this amazing story here.
Sources:
San Antonio Light
San Antonio Light
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