Wilmington in Clinton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Smith Place School

1893 - 1984

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2009

1. Smith Place School Marker

Inscription. Smith Place School was built on this site in 1893 as a high school. It was an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture and the arched stone entrances were quarried locally from Todd's Fork. Many generations attended classes here and it became an elementary school in 1911 until its last year in 1979. The building was demolished in 1984. Memories remain, as does the wonderful Smith Place hill.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 39° 26.979′ N, 83° 49.643′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Ohio, in Clinton County. It is on Birdsall Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is near the center of Smith Place Park, which is bounded to the west by South Street (US Route 68). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilmington OH 45177, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wilmington Library (within shouting distance of this marker); American Legion Post No. 49 Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Downtown Wilmington Walking Tour (approx. ¼ mile away); All Gave Some, Some Gave All (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War II Glider Pilots Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away);

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Clinton County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clinton Memorial Hospital Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Clinton County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Smith Place School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2009

2. Smith Place School

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2009

3. Smith Place School Marker

Stones to left of marker were the school's entry arch.

Smith Place School Stone Entry Arch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2009

4. Smith Place School Stone Entry Arch

Now a flower bed. Looking northwest.

Smith Place School Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2009

5. Smith Place School Bell

Smith Place Park Playground Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2009

6. Smith Place Park Playground Marker

One of several dedication markers in the park.

Smith Place Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2009

7. Smith Place Park Marker

In honor of Jim and Carmen Swisshelm, 73 years of marriage and 65 year residents of 371 N. Walnut St. One of several dedication markers throughout the park.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 5, 2025

8. Smith Place School Marker

New gazebo.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 5, 2025

9. Smith Place School Marker

Gazebo stone.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 5, 2025

10. Smith Place School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,121 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 7, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 8, 9, 10. submitted on July 8, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.