Old South Hill School

110 Columbia Street, Ithaca

Date built: 1907

Architect: Clinton Vivian

In 1907 the cornerstone was laid for the red brick school. Built to serve 149 children, this Colonial Revival school was designed so each room is well lit by multiple windows. The entrance is distinguished by paired Tuscan columns, and the hipped roof has an octagonal cupola. In 1916 new classrooms were added on the northeast side by architect Clinton Vivian. Until 1955 it had six classrooms (two of which were large halls) and six teachers. The new South Hill School on Hudson Street started construction in 1955 and opened in 1956 to accommodate the growing population. In 1978 and 1979 the old South Hill School building was converted into apartments now called Acropolis Cooperative. It stands today as a good example of adaptive reuse, housing six co-op units, and is a locally designated as a landmark in Ithaca.

Early 20th century. Image courtesy of The History Center in Tompkins County archival collections: V20-289a

LISTEN HERE