March 2026.
4th Avenue School in Harrison West is one of David Riebel’s Renaissance Revival school designs. Despite its small size, it has a high quality of architecture achieved through its strong composition and thoughtfully applied ornamentation.
4th Avenue School is located at 1200 Michigan Avenue in the Harrison West neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. It is bordered by 4th Avenue to the north, Michigan Avenue to the west, and houses all around.
History
A photo of the school from 1950. (All Columbus Data)
As usually is the case with these lesser-known neighborhood school buildings, there isn’t much history available online about the 4th Avenue School. Its construction began in 1904, and it was designed by Columbus City Schools architect David Riebel in the Renaissance Revival style. The school opened on January 4, 1905. It seems that it was renamed to “Michigan Avenue School” at some point.
4th Avenue Elementary School after its closure, circa 1980. (All Columbus Data)
The school was remodeled in 1953, possibly adding the brick box additions to the rear of the building, and it closed in 1976. Another round of renovations converted the school to an apartment building for seniors known as the Michigan Avenue Apartments, which opened in 1981.
Photos
Oblique view of the school, which is blocked by a large pine tree:
The northern facade:
It has a symmetrical design that is common with Renaissance Revival architecture. The entrance is emphasized with the copious ornamentation surrounding it and the large pediment above.
Most of the facade is buff brick, though the foundation is rough stone, the corners have gray brick quoins, and the cornice is metal.
Rust beneath the paint indicates that this cornice is metal, beyond its impeccable condition:
Classical details around the entrance:
The doors are surmounted by a small pediment supported by two corbels. Above the portal is a massive entablature supported by four Ionic engaged columns.
A nice detail of the pediment and engraved date:
Balustrade, entablature, and engraved name of the school:
Detail of the edge of the entablature:
Ionic column capitals:
Palladian window:
The central window is original, but the two smaller ones are replacements.
Pediment above the Palladian window and entrance:
The west facade:
It is pretty similar to the north facade but smaller in scale, and the central wing extends outwards more.
The large pediment on top of the building:
A view of the rear, which shows the brick boxes added in the 1950s:
Sources:
https://digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org/digital/collection/ohio/id/24336/
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