August 13, 1973 TV-8 cameras were on the scene this afternoon as an old part of San Diego bit the dust. San Diego High School's Russ Auditorium was the target of the demolition man's swinging steel ball as the old made way for the new. The 46-year-old structure didn't give up easily, taking the first blow with no effect. But the old walls weren't meant for such treatment and the demolition was soon under way. San Diego High School principal Jim Gautlett was among those on hand to watch the wrecking crew bring down the auditorium and a second campus building. The two structures were built before modern earthquake standards were set, so they have to go down. The decorative gargoyles which rimmed the auditorium will be saved as a reminder of the school’s past and changing scene.