Near East Side in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ohio Institution for Education of the Blind

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 15, 2009

1. Ohio Institution for Education of the Blind Marker

Inscription. This nine acres of land was purchased by the citizens of Columbus in 1837, and deeded to the state for use as the Ohio School for the Blind. The first building, designed by N. B. Kelly and occupied in October 1839, was replaced by the current building designed by William Tinsley. Occupied on May 21, 1874, the massive four story sandstone structure, with a mansard roof, once had a tower rising three additional stories above the current height and had pointed spires on the north and south ends. Among those educated here are jazz notables “Rahsaan Roland” Kirk and Art Tatum. Directly across the street was the birth place of writer James Thurber.

Erected 1992 by Arts Foundation of Olde Towne and Community Quest '92 Fund.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1961.

Location. 39° 57.564′ N, 82° 58.911′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the Near East Side. Marker is on Parsons Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus OH 43215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bryden Road Historic District (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hannah Neil Mission And Home For The Friendless

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Kelton House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Snowden- Gray House (approx. ¼ mile away); Elaine Hastings Mason (approx. 0.3 miles away); Deaf School Park Topiary Garden: 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Ile de la Grande Jatte' (approx. 0.3 miles away); Deaf School Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Topiary Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

240 Parsons Avenue Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 15, 2009

2. 240 Parsons Avenue Marker

Built 1874 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. Placed December 2008 by Columbus Public Health.

<i> State School for the Blind, Columbus, Ohio</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By E.C.Kropp, circa 1910

3. State School for the Blind, Columbus, Ohio

The tower and north and south spires, now missing, are visible here.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 15, 2009

4. Ohio Institution for Education of the Blind Marker

240 Parsons Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 15, 2009

5. 240 Parsons Avenue

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,073 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on November 29, 2014. 4, 5. submitted on March 18, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.