Description: A view of Woodward High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, ca. 1911. When this school building first opened its doors (1910), it had some of the most modern facilities of its time, including flush toilets, central heating, a 1,100-seat auditorium, two gymnasiums, and two swimming pools. Other notable features were 12 rare Rookwood Pottery drinking fountains from the early 1900s and stained-glass windows of the same period located in the main entryway. The largest of these was a memorial mural entitled "The Landing of William Woodward at Cincinnati in Fall of 1791.” In 1827 leather tanner William Woodward (1768-1833) and his wife, Abigail Cutter, provided land and a trust to pay for a free grammar school that would educate poor boys. The growth of Cincinnati’s public school system around 1829 caused the Woodwards to re-evaluate their goals for the school. They purchased additional land and built a private secondary institution, Woodward High School, the first high school west of the Allegheny Mountains. Woodward High School of Cincinnati opened in October 1831 in a two-story brick building on Franklin Street in the city’s Bond Hill neighborhood. In 1836 a new collegiate department began sharing the facility. The school continued to grow, and with a few years, construction of a new facility was underway. Around 1850, however, the growth of public schools affected Woodward’s ability to survive financially as a private institution. To save money the trustees suspended the high school’s operation, but in 1851 the financial situation forced them to close the college as well. Rather than closing the high school altogether (especially with a new building on the horizon), the board of trustees reinstated the high school but merged it with the Cincinnati public school system. The new facility, designed by John R. Hamilton in the English Gothic style, opened in 1855 at the corner of Woodward Street and Sycamore Street. In 1860 the remains of William and Abigail Woodward were interred in a stone vault on the school grounds near the Broadway Street entrance; a monument and statue were placed over the tomb. The 1855 school was razed and replaced in 1910 by the building seen in the photograph: a new five-story brick, stone, and terra cotta structure designed by local architect Gustav Brach in the Second Renaissance Revival style. President William Howard Taft, who graduated from Woodward High School in 1874, laid the cornerstone of this building, located at 1310 Sycamore Street. When Woodward High School moved to a new facility in 1953, this building became Abigail Cutter Junior High School (also known as Cutter). In addition to William Taft, notable people associated with Woodward High School include Dr. Joseph Ray, principal, 1851-1855, author of several popular mathematics texts; and Professor William McGuffey, author of the well-known readers and spellers. The site is also linked to the Underground Railroad. From 1856 to 1863 Levi Coffin and his wife, Catharine, lived in a house built by Woodward on this site in 1832. Both Levi and Catharine were legendary abolitionists who helped enslaved people escape to freedom in Canada. Levi is often referred to as the "President of the Underground Railroad.” View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06021
Subjects: Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Cincinnati Public Schools; Coffin, Levi, 1798-1877; Coffin, Abigail Nichols Worth, 1808-1860; Cultural Ohio--Education
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photomechanical reproduction of Levi Coffin's home that was located in Fountain City, Wayne County, Indiana, and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Levi Coffin (1798-1877) and his wife Catharine (1803-1881) were reputed to have harbored more than two thousand slaves from the fall of 1826 to 1846. Coffin was even referred to as the "President of the Underground Railroad." Coffin later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he continued to offer his home as an Underground Railroad stop. The person in the photograph is not identified. The image was collected by Ohio State University professor Wilbur H. Siebert (1866-1961). Siebert began researching the Underground Railroad in the 1890s as a way to interest his students in history. On the photograph written in the left hand corner is: "MARetts Prep" Next to the figure in photograph is written: "Under Ground Railway Hotel. Fountain City Ind [Indiana]" Next to the tree in the photograph is written: "Built 1839" The sign on the building reads: "HOTEL" View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03010
Subjects: Siebert, Wilbur Henry, 1866-1961; Coffin, Levi, 1798-1877; Underground Railroad--Indiana
Places: Fountain City (Indiana); Wayne County (Indiana)
 

Description: Caption reads: "This house at 3131 Wehrmon Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, was the headquarters of Levi Coffin, reputed to be "President" of the Underground Railway in the days of slavery. Photo by W.P.A. Writers' Projects. 11-12-36." Levi Coffin's two story, wood shingle home at 3131 Wehrman Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio was around the corner from Harriet Beecher Stowe's house on Gilbert Avenue, where he was a frequent guest. The fearless Quaker "president" had a "store" at the corner of Sixth and Elm Streets until 1847, where he aided 3,000 Negroes in their flight to freedom. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F09_001_1
Subjects: Architecture; Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Underground Railroad--Ohio; Coffin, Levi, 1798-1877
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: The focus of this photograph is a statue of William Woodward (1768-1833), who together with his wife, Abigail, donated a parcel of land that would become the site of Woodward High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. This statue was located on the grounds of that institution, the first public high school west of the Alleghenies. In 1826 William and Abigail (Cutter) Woodward donated the land on which a school would be built. A year later they established a trust to fund a free school that would educate poor children in the area. It was one of the first public schools in the country. However, within a few years the growth of public schools for elementary education caused Woodward to change his plans for the school and to make it a high school. A two-story building was constructed to house the new Woodward High School, which opened in October 1831. A collegiate department was added in 1836, and the school's name was changed to Woodward College of Cincinnati. In 1855 a new building replaced the original structure. The school became part of Cincinnati's public school system, the older school and college having ceased operation because the Woodward Trust was out of money. In 1860 the remains of William and Abigail Woodward were moved from their original burial place to the school property. The statue of William Woodward was dedicated on October 24, 1878. In 1907 this building was razed to make way for a new five-story school, the one pictured in this photograph. During the early 1950s, the high school moved to a new site, and this building was renamed "Abigail Cutter Junior High School." From 1973 to 2010 it was the site of the School for the Performing and Creative Arts. From 1856-1863, the home of Levi and Catherine Coffin was also located on this site. Both were legendary abolitionists who helped enslaved people escape to freedom in Canada. Levi is often referred to as the "President of the Underground Railroad." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06174
Subjects: Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Education--Ohio; Cincinnati Public Schools; Statues--Ohio; Coffin, Levi, 1798-1877; Underground Railroad--Ohio
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows an exterior view of Woodward High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, ca. 1935-1943. The school is surrounded by an iron fence next to a sidewalk. Streetlights, utility poles, and wires are visible. In 1826 William Woodward (1768-1833) and his wife, Abigail, donated a parcel of land that would become the site of Woodward High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. A year later they established a trust to fund a free school that would educate poor children in the area. However, within a few years the growth of public schools for elementary education caused Woodward to change his plans for the school and to make it a high school. A two-story building was constructed to house the new Woodward High School, which opened in October 1831. A collegiate department was added in 1836, and the school's name was changed to Woodward College of Cincinnati. In 1855 a new building replaced the original structure. The school became part of Cincinnati's public school system. In 1860 the remains of William and Abigail Woodward were moved from their original burial place to the school property. The statue of William Woodward was dedicated on October 24, 1878. In 1907 this building was razed to make way for a new five-story school, the one pictured in this photograph. During the early 1950s, the high school moved to a new site, and this building was renamed "Abigail Cutter Junior High School." From 1973 to 2010, it was the site of the School for the Performing and Creative Arts. From 1856-1863, the home of Levi and Catherine Coffin was also located on this site. Both were legendary abolitionists who helped enslaved people escape to freedom in Canada. Levi is often referred to as the "President of the Underground Railroad." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06175
Subjects: Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Education--Ohio; Cincinnati Public Schools; Statues--Ohio; Coffin, Levi, 1798-1877; Underground Railroad--Ohio
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image is an photographic reproduction of a drawing of Woodward College High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, ca. 1841. In 1826 William Woodward (1768-1833) and his wife, Abigail, donated a parcel of land that would become the site of Woodward High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. A year later they established an trust to fund a free school that would educate poor children in the area. However, within a few years the growth of public schools for elementary education caused Woodward to change his plans for the school and to make it a high school. A two-story building was constructed to house the new Woodward High School, which opened in October 1831. A collegiate department was added in 1836, and the school's name was changed to Woodward College of Cincinnati. In 1855 a new building replaced the structure seen in this photograph. The school became part of Cincinnati's public school system. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06176
Subjects: Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Education--Ohio; Cincinnati Public Schools; Statues--Ohio; Coffin, Levi, 1798-1877; Underground Railroad--Ohio
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)