Fairview School

Fairview School, designed by Henry E. Siter in the Romanesque Revival style, was built in 1888-90 in the Fairview neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio.


History

Fairview School was designed by Henry E. Siter in the Romanesque Revival architectural style, 8 and constructed between 1888-90. 6 It was followed by a three-story addition, designed by local architect Edward J. Schulte, in 1957-58. The addition was meant to be expanded upon once the original structure was razed, but declining enrollment led to the abandonment of the plan. 7

Fairview School became the Fairview German Bilingual School in 1982 and Fairview German Language School in 1994. It was the second magnet school for the city.

Closure

A 1976 report by the school district noted that the circa 1890 Fairview School building should be abandoned or replaced due to unsatisfactory design or structural deterioration 4 followed by a similar report in 1999. 2 Fairview School eventually closed in June 2008 as part of the district’s ten-year plan to rehabilitate or rebuild nearly every facility within the city.

The Fairview School building was auctioned and Five Korners acquired the complex for $430,000 3 who converted the structure into luxury residences. 5



Sources

  1. Bronson, Peter. “Clunker Schools.” Cincinnati Enquirer Jan 27 2003. ProQuest. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
  2. Difilippo, Dana. “Saving Some Class Acts.” Cincinnati Enquirer Jan 5 1999. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
  3. “CPS may Unload 9 Schools Today.” Cincinnati Enquirer Jun 17 2009. ProQuest. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
  4. Mrozowski, Jennifer. “Erratic Budgets Let Schools Deteriorate.” Cincinnati Enquirer Apr 30 2003. ProQuest. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
  5. Prendergast, Jane. “City Gets Out of Housing Effort.” Cincinnati Enquirer: 1. Jun 10 2012. ProQuest. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
  6. Prendergast, Jane. “Fairview Public School and Annex Listed on National Register of Historic Places.” Cincinnati Enquirer Oct 29 2010. ProQuest. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
  7. “About Us.” Fairview-Clifton German Language School. Cincinnati Public Schools, 2008. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. Article.
  8. Mike, Boyer. “Developers converting classrooms to condos.” Cincinnati Enquirer Nov 11 2005. ProQuest. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.

4 Comments

  1. Melody
    October 22, 2023
    Reply

    I have a cement block built into my basement that says Fairview school
    District No. 5 1890

  2. Sara Mathena
    January 5, 2018
    Reply

    Thank you for the pictures before they remodeled. Memories! I went there and so did my mother.

  3. Terrence Hill
    April 18, 2017
    Reply

    Thank you for this website and the pictures as well. It brings back so many memories, I loved this school, I wish they hadn’t abandoned it. 🙁

  4. Steve Buescher
    October 25, 2016
    Reply

    The three-story “addition” was an unconnected separate building when I attended in the 1950’s. So, maybe “addition” paints the wrong picture?

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