Central High School

330 West Colfax Avenue

  • Date: 1911
  • Style: Collegiate Gothic
  • Architect: William B. Ittner
  • District: Downtown Historic Registry

The site of Central High School has been associated with education since 1845 with the completion of the County Seminary built on the land donated by Alexis Coquillard. The County Seminary was purchased by the city in 1851, and the school continued without interruption under city management. Central High School is the third high school in this location, was designed by architect William B. Ittner, and was built between 1911 and 1913. Central High School cost $625,000 to build and accommodated 1,500 students in 50 classrooms with 12 laboratories. Also included in the new school were a gymnasium, a large assembly hall, and a swimming pool. The auditorium and "Our Little Theatre," still exist. Our Little Theatre, which was completed in 1915 under the direction of drama teacher Gena Thompson, was reportedly a unique feature for a high school during the early 1900s. It seated 200, had a seven-foot stage, and was used for smaller productions than those held in the auditorium. Originally called South Bend High School, this was the city's only high school until 1929. The school closed in 1970. Although the building has been adaptively reused as apartments, the interior of Central High School remains sympathetic to the original layout with classrooms that still contain oak bookcases, laboratory tables, and storage shelves now serving as living space. The pool is now the living room of an apartment. In 1982, Central High School and its campus were designated as a Local Landmark.

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330 West Colfax Avenue

Image credit: The History Museum

Image credit: The History Museum
Image credit: The History Museum
Image credit: The History Museum
Image credit: The History Museum