Description: Caption reads: "Opened October 4, 1831. Woodward College (High School) First Building." William Woodward (1768-1833) and his wife Abigail first started as the Woodward Free Grammar School as an effort of educated the city's poor. The growth of the public school system around 1829 caused him to reevaluate his goals for the school. Additional land was purchased, and a new school built. The Woodward High School of Cincinnati opened October 1831 in a two story brick building on Franklin Street and was the first high school west of the Allegheny Mountains. The school's thorough education caused trustee's to apply to collegiate powers, which were granted. Woodward's College Department opened January 1936, in the same building as the high school, and alumni of the school earned degrees at graduation. The school continue to grow, and by 1841, a third story was added, and plans were undertaken to construct bigger facilities, which were completed in 1855. "Old Woodward", designed by John R. Hamilton in the English - Gothic style, was located on the corner of Woodward Street and Sycamore Street, and was one of the first buildings in America to use terracotta as exterior decoration. Around 1850, public school were continuing to grow, and it was becoming apparent that the need for the Woodward as a private institution was waning. The high school was suspended, so that the college portion of the school could survive on the remaining funds. Money ran out, however, and the College Department closed in 1851. Not wanting to close the school entirely, especially with a new building underway, the board decided reinstate the high school and joined the Cincinnati public school system later that same year, changing their name to the Cincinnati Woodward High School. In 1860, the remains of William Woodward and his wife were placed in a stone vault on school grounds near the Broadway Street entrance, to honor his dedication to the school and in 1878, a monument and statue were placed over the tomb. A new building was constructed on Sycamore Street in between 1908 to 1910. In 1950, this building became the Abigail Cutter Junior High School, and Woodward High School moved to a new building on Reading Road. From 1976 to 2010, the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) used the building on Sycamore Street, which plans to move to new facilities adjacent to Cincinnati Music Hall in the fall of 2010. The future of the Sycamore Street building currently remains undecided. Notable people associated with the school include: Joseph Ray, the school's first principal, teacher of mathmatics and author a series of algebra textbooks; William McGuffy, teacher and author of many well known spellers and readers; and former U.S. President William Taft, who is an alumni (1874). It is also interesting to note that William Woodward's home was built on the site of the Sycamore Street school, in 1832 (before the school was built). The house was lived in by Henry Rucher, and early principal and teacher, and was commonly known as the Rucher House. From 1856 - 1863, Levi Coffin, "President" of the Underground Railway, and his wife Catherine, lived in this home. The home later served as the Good Samaritan Hospital for a short time, and St. Luke's Hospital, before eventually being demolished in order to build the new school, in 1907. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F13_001
Subjects: Schools--Ohio; Woodward College (Cincinnati, Ohio); Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Bond Hill (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: William Woodward (1768-1833) and his wife Abigail first started as the Woodward Free Grammar School as an effort of educated the city's poor. The growth of the public school system around 1829 caused him to reevaluate his goals for the school. Additional land was purchased, and a new school built. The Woodward High School of Cincinnati opened October 1831 in a two story brick building on Franklin Street in the Bond Hill community of Cincinnati, and was the first high school west of the Allegheny Mountains. The school's thorough education caused trustee's to apply to collegiate powers, which were granted. Woodward's College Department opened January 1936, in the same building as the high school, and alumni of the school earned degrees at graduation. The school continue to grow, and by 1841, a third story was added, and plans were undertaken to construct bigger facilities, which were completed in 1855. "Old Woodward", designed by John R. Hamilton in the English - Gothic style, was located on the corner of Woodward Street and Sycamore Street, and was one of the first buildings in America to use terracotta as exterior decoration. Around 1850, public schools were continuing to grow, and it was becoming apparent that the need for the Woodward as a private institution was waning. The high school was suspended, so that the college portion of the school could survive on the remaining funds. Money ran out, however, and the College Department closed in 1851. Not wanting to close the school entirely, especially with a new building underway, the board decided reinstate the high school and joined the Cincinnati public school system later that same year, changing their name to the Cincinnati Woodward High School. In 1860, the remains of William Woodward and his wife were placed in a stone vault on school grounds near the Broadway Street entrance, to honor his dedication to the school and in 1878, a monument and statue were placed over the tomb. A new building was constructed on Sycamore Street in between 1908 to 1910. The Second Renaissance Revival-style structure was designed by local architect Gustav Drach. In 1950, this building became the Abigail Cutter Junior High School, and Woodward High School moved to a new building on Reading Road. From 1976 to 2010, the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) used the building on Sycamore Street, which plans to move to new facilities adjacent to Cincinnati Music Hall in the fall of 2010. The future of the Sycamore Street building currently remains undecided. Notable people associated with the school include: Joseph Ray, the school's first principal, teacher of mathmatics and author a series of algebra textbooks; William McGuffy, teacher and author of many well known spellers and readers; and former U.S. President William Taft, who is an alumni (1874). It is also interesting to note that William Woodward's home was built on the site of the Sycamore Street school, in 1832 (before the school was built). The house was lived in by Henry Rucher, and early principal and teacher, and was commonly known as the Rucher House. From 1856 - 1863, Levi Coffin, "President" of the Underground Railway, and his wife Catherine, lived in this home. The home later served as the Good Samaritan Hospital for a short time, and St. Luke's Hospital, before eventually being demolished in order to build the new school, in 1907. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F13_002
Subjects: Schools--Ohio; Woodward College (Cincinnati, Ohio); Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Bond Hill (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: William Woodward (1768-1833) and his wife Abigail first started as the Woodward Free Grammar School as an effort of educated the city's poor. The growth of the public school system around 1829 caused him to reevaluate his goals for the school. Additional land was purchased, and a new school built. The Woodward High School of Cincinnati opened October 1831 in a two story brick building on Franklin Street in the Bond Hill community of Cincinnati, and was the first high school west of the Allegheny Mountains. The school's thorough education caused trustee's to apply to collegiate powers, which were granted. Woodward's College Department opened January 1936, in the same building as the high school, and alumni of the school earned degrees at graduation. The school continue to grow, and by 1841, a third story was added, and plans were undertaken to construct bigger facilities, which were completed in 1855. "Old Woodward", designed by John R. Hamilton in the English - Gothic style, was located on the corner of Woodward Street and Sycamore Street, and was one of the first buildings in America to use terracotta as exterior decoration. Around 1850, public schools were continuing to grow, and it was becoming apparent that the need for the Woodward as a private institution was waning. The high school was suspended, so that the college portion of the school could survive on the remaining funds. Money ran out, however, and the College Department closed in 1851. Not wanting to close the school entirely, especially with a new building underway, the board decided reinstate the high school and joined the Cincinnati public school system later that same year, changing their name to the Cincinnati Woodward High School. In 1860, the remains of William Woodward and his wife were placed in a stone vault on school grounds near the Broadway Street entrance, to honor his dedication to the school and in 1878, a monument and statue were placed over the tomb. A new building was constructed on Sycamore Street in between 1908 to 1910. The Second Renaissance Revival-style structure was designed by local architect Gustav Drach. In 1950, this building became the Abigail Cutter Junior High School, and Woodward High School moved to a new building on Reading Road. From 1976 to 2010, the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) used the building on Sycamore Street, which plans to move to new facilities adjacent to Cincinnati Music Hall in the fall of 2010. The future of the Sycamore Street building currently remains undecided. Notable people associated with the school include: Joseph Ray, the school's first principal, teacher of mathmatics and author a series of algebra textbooks; William McGuffy, teacher and author of many well known spellers and readers; and former U.S. President William Taft, who is an alumni (1874). It is also interesting to note that William Woodward's home was built on the site of the Sycamore Street school, in 1832 (before the school was built). The house was lived in by Henry Rucher, and early principal and teacher, and was commonly known as the Rucher House. From 1856 - 1863, Levi Coffin, "President" of the Underground Railway, and his wife Catherine, lived in this home. The home later served as the Good Samaritan Hospital for a short time, and St. Luke's Hospital, before eventually being demolished in order to build the new school, in 1907. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F13_003
Subjects: Schools--Ohio; Woodward College (Cincinnati, Ohio); Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Bond Hill (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: William Woodward (1768-1833) and his wife Abigail first started as the Woodward Free Grammar School as an effort of educated the city's poor. The growth of the public school system around 1829 caused him to reevaluate his goals for the school. Additional land was purchased, and a new school built. The Woodward High School of Cincinnati opened October 1831 in a two story brick building on Franklin Street in the Bond Hill community of Cincinnati, and was the first high school west of the Allegheny Mountains. The school's thorough education caused trustee's to apply to collegiate powers, which were granted. Woodward's College Department opened January 1936, in the same building as the high school, and alumni of the school earned degrees at graduation. The school continue to grow, and by 1841, a third story was added, and plans were undertaken to construct bigger facilities, which were completed in 1855. "Old Woodward", designed by John R. Hamilton in the English - Gothic style, was located on the corner of Woodward Street and Sycamore Street, and was one of the first buildings in America to use terracotta as exterior decoration. Around 1850, public schools were continuing to grow, and it was becoming apparent that the need for the Woodward as a private institution was waning. The high school was suspended, so that the college portion of the school could survive on the remaining funds. Money ran out, however, and the College Department closed in 1851. Not wanting to close the school entirely, especially with a new building underway, the board decided reinstate the high school and joined the Cincinnati public school system later that same year, changing their name to the Cincinnati Woodward High School. In 1860, the remains of William Woodward and his wife were placed in a stone vault on school grounds near the Broadway Street entrance, to honor his dedication to the school and in 1878, a monument and statue were placed over the tomb. A new building was constructed on Sycamore Street in between 1908 to 1910. The Second Renaissance Revival-style structure was designed by local architect Gustav Drach. In 1950, this building became the Abigail Cutter Junior High School, and Woodward High School moved to a new building on Reading Road. From 1976 to 2010, the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) used the building on Sycamore Street, which plans to move to new facilities adjacent to Cincinnati Music Hall in the fall of 2010. The future of the Sycamore Street building currently remains undecided. Notable people associated with the school include: Joseph Ray, the school's first principal, teacher of mathmatics and author a series of algebra textbooks; William McGuffy, teacher and author of many well known spellers and readers; and former U.S. President William Taft, who is an alumni (1874). It is also interesting to note that William Woodward's home was built on the site of the Sycamore Street school, in 1832 (before the school was built). The house was lived in by Henry Rucher, and early principal and teacher, and was commonly known as the Rucher House. From 1856 - 1863, Levi Coffin, "President" of the Underground Railway, and his wife Catherine, lived in this home. The home later served as the Good Samaritan Hospital for a short time, and St. Luke's Hospital, before eventually being demolished in order to build the new school, in 1907. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F13_004
Subjects: Schools--Ohio; Woodward College (Cincinnati, Ohio); Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Bond Hill (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "Monument to William Woodward at Woodward High School- Cincinnati Ohio" This is a photograph of Woodward High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. There is a statue of William Woodward in front of the building. The land the school was built on was donated by William Woodward and his wife Abigail Cutter in 1826 to provide free education for poor children who could not afford private schooling. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B10F05_002_001
Subjects: High schools--Ohio; Monuments and memorials; Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Cincinnati (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Pictorial works; School building--Ohio; Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works; Education; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
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: Leather tanner William Woodward and his wife Abigail (Cutter) Woodward donated land in 1827 for a school. In 1831,Woodward High School open. It was a four room, red brick school, located on Franklin Street. Woodward High School is called the first high school in the Northwest Territory. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F01_016_001
Subjects: Portraits; Woodward, William; Schools--Ohio; Woodward College (Cincinnati, Ohio); Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
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)
 

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: This postcard shows 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: AL06020
Subjects: Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio); Postcards; Education; Architecture
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)