Ohio Institution for Education of the Blind
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.
Marker is on Parsons Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
