Sharon Heights in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ohio State School for the Blind

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, April 21, 2016

1. Ohio State School for the Blind Marker

Inscription. In 1835, Dr. William Awl of Columbus and Dr. Daniel Drake of Cincinnati presented recommendations to the Ohio General Assembly to establish a school for the blind. Legislation, signed by then governor of Ohio Duncan McArthur on April 3, 1837, provided funding to create the first state-supported residential school for the blind in the United States. The Institution for the Education of the Blind opened July 4, 1837, with five students. A year later, the first permanent structure, housing 60 students, was built on a nine-acre tract of land on the eastern edge of the city, and that was followed in 1874 with a larger facility near Fulton and Main streets. The school was honored and recognized in 1937 as being one of the finest schools for the blind in the country. In 1953, a new school for the blind was built at the present location at 5220 North High Street.
( Ohio Bicentennial logo)

Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission The Longaberger Company Ohio State School for the Blind Alumni Association The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 60-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education.

Paid Advertisement

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

Click or scan to see
this page online

In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 40° 4.15′ N, 83° 1.14′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Sharon Heights. Marker is on High Street (U.S. 23), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5220 N High Street, Columbus OH 43214, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Beechwold Pillars (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ohio School for the Deaf (approx. 0.7 miles away); Beechwold / The Cottages (approx. 1.1 miles away); Worthington Masonic Museum (approx. 1.2 miles away); James Kilbourne / Worthington Hotel (approx. 1.3 miles away); Worthington Historic District (approx. 1.3 miles away); Veterans Fountain (approx. 1.3 miles away); Saint John's Church of Worthington and Parts Adjacent / Church and Graveyard (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, April 21, 2016

2. Ohio State School for the Blind Marker

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, April 21, 2016

3. Ohio State School for the Blind Marker

Marker at a distance, looking west from driveway towards High Street

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, April 21, 2016

4. Ohio State School for the Blind Marker

Sign, on opposite side of driveway

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 22, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.