- Ohio Institution for the Education

of the Deaf and Dumb -

Franklin County, Ohio

The Ohio legislature passed a bill on January 30, 1827, to establish the Ohio Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. The Institution opened on October 16, 1829, at 9 North High Street, on the northwest corner of Broad and High Streets, Columbus, in a rented house, with only one student enrolled the first year. From 1830 - 1831 the Instution was located in a house at 50 West Broad Street, and from there it was located in rooms in the Franklin County Courthouse until 1832. From 1832 - 1834 it was temporarily located at 28 North Front Street. The need for the Institution was evident as over 428 individuals in Ohio had been enumerated as being deaf mute, many of them being in poor circumstances.

In 1834 a larger building was completed at 450 East Town Street and the Ohio Institution for the Deaf and Dumb moved into its first permanent location. Additional structures were added to meet the needs of a growing enrollment. I June, 1864, ground was broken for a new, larger structure and the 1834 structure was demolished. In 1904 the Ohio Department of Education assumed control of the school and the name was changed to the Ohio State School for the Deaf.

The outbreak of World War II delayed the next move. In 1941 the Ohio legislature approved the purchase of 235 acres in northeastern Columbus, on Morse Road, which would be the new home for the Ohio State School for the Deaf as well as the Ohio State School for the Blind. The new buildings were completed, and the move made, in 1953.