herr2ck: Who Let The Dawgs Out?

February 2026.

South High School is Columbus’s public high school for the south side neighborhoods, such as German Village, Merion Village, and Schumacher Place. Like West High School, it still has its predecessor standing nearby.

South High School is located at 1160 Ann Street in the Merion Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. It is bordered by Stewart Avenue to the north, Thurman Avenue to the south, 18th Street to the east, and Ann Street to the west.

History

Unlike the older building, there isn’t much documented history about the current South High School. Therefore, I have to use that article’s sources for this one.

South High School’s construction began in 1898, but prior to that, its students attended classes at Ohio Avenue Elementary School in Olde Towne East and Central High School in Franklinton. It was designed by David Riebel and closely resembled his work at old East High School. Though the school opened in 1900, modernization efforts resulted in every single school receiving a new building in the 1920s. South High was the second of these. (East High was first, in 1922.) According to Columbus Neighborhoods by Tom Betti, it was to be named Abraham Lincoln Senior High School, but North High School had already decided on a yearbook name and mascot and thus the directional names were retained.

Historic photo of South High School’s exterior. (Columbus Metropolitan Library)

South High School was designed by Richards, McCarty, & Bulford in the Beaux-Arts style. It opened on March 31, 1924, and the old building on Deshler was used as Barrett Middle School afterwards. I’m a little iffy on the above postcard’s attribution of Richards, McCarty, & Bulford as the architects, as the building has several similarities with Howard Dwight Smith’s school buildings. South High School’s appearance is very similar to the other high school he designed (West High School)--both have pared-down classical designs with brick exteriors. The entrances also have quotes engraved above them, which was very common with Smith’s work. (Granted, it wasn’t exclusive to his designs, as Central and East High Schools have them but were not designed by Smith.)

Students on the steps of South High School in 1945. (Columbus Metropolitan Library)

South High School’s documented history mostly stops after its opening. It had two additions built onto the rear and northwest side in the 1950s. One source claims it had four renovations and additions between 1957 and 1976, but there only appears to be two additions built prior to the recent expansion project. The rear addition was then expanded drastically from 2007 to 2009, which added a new gymnasium and cafeteria. This also included new stands for the stadium and a new running track. During the renovations, the old South High School building was briefly used.

Photos

South High School’s Ann Street facade today:

The entrance module has a stone base, along with four tall Corinthian columns that support an entablature and brick parapet above. There is a bit of more detailed ornamentation on the parapet and above the doors, but the overall design is very spartan.

Another angle:

You can probably make out the “SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL” carving, but there are a few others. The left-hand entrance tells students to “cultivate moral and civic ideals,” while the right urges them to “seek truth and beauty.” Finally, one along the water table reads “Within these walls may be found equal and varied opportunity for a liberal education.” [sic]

LIBERAL education?! Where’s my conservative education?