Indianola Junior High School
Year Built: 1929
Address: 420 East 19th Avenue Columbus, OH 43201
Style/Significance:
Indianola Junior High School was the first school in the United States that was built specifically to be used as a junior high school. The present school was constructed in 1929. The junior high idea was developed by superintendent of schools Jacob Shawan and OSU president Dr. William Oxley Thompson. The school was designed by Howard Dwight Smith, who would achieve recognition as the architect of the Ohio Stadium. Built to model a high school, Indianola boasted industrial arts and home economics classrooms, a model apartment for decorating by students, a wood paneled library with working fireplace, and outside terra cotta tiles and stone carvings of bison and woodland animals and a relief of Chief Logan (Tah-ga-jute) done by Dr. Frey (OSU arts faculty and creator of Dr. Thompson’s statue in front of the Main Library). The school is built on the former Indianola Amusement Park. It is listed on both the City of Columbus Historic Register and the National Register, but it is currently mothballed and deteriorating.
3 Comments
Ginger King – August 15, 2019
I am currently teaching Foundations of American Education. In studying the history of the development of the Junior High School system in the United States, it talks about Indianola Junior High School. I would love to try and work out a time for my class to visit. Are there tours offered? Thank you, Ginger King
Anthony Sarfo – October 5, 2021
I wont to been Columbus Ohio students
Doreen Uhas-Sauer – August 4, 2022
The building is currently undergoing renovation. It was purchased by Ohio State University and will re-open in 2024 when the Metropolitan School will move from. Its current location to this enlarged facility. To stay current or need more information, I can be reached through Columbus Landmarks Foundation.