SA Series 1008 AV Ohio Girls Industrial School, Photographs of Grounds and Activities

              State Archives Series 1008 AV
Girls’ Industrial School
Photographs of Grounds and Activities
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
State Archives Record Series
SA 1008 AV
Girls’ Industrial School
Photographs of Grounds and Activities
OVERVIEW OF THE SERIES
Series Number: SA Series 1008 AV
Creating Agency: Girls’ Industrial School
Series Title: Photographs of Grounds and Activities
Dates of Series: 1900-1942
Media: Black and White Photographs
Quantity: 1 cubic foot
Location: Ohio Historical Society
AGENCY BACKGROUND
Interest in establishing an institution for juvenile females had been growing since the
founding of the Boys’ Industrial School in Lancaster in 1857. On April 30, 1868, a
resolution was passed by the 58th General Assembly appointing a joint committee to
“examine sites and receive proposals, gifts, and donations toward establishing an
institution” for females. On May 5, 1869, an act was passed establishing the State
Reform and Industrial School for Girls. It was located ten miles southwest of Delaware
on the former White Sulfur Springs Resort. 189 acres were purchased, including several
frame buildings used by the resort. The school formally opened on October 15, 1869
with six pupils. Dr. John Nicholas was superintendent and Mrs. Mary C. Nicholas served
as matron. Students between the ages of 7 and 16 were accepted. At the trustee’s
discretion, some students were detained until age 18. Activities included industrial
training such as sewing, elementary and secondary education, gardening, and physical
fitness.
Increased population and the problem of “incorrigible” inmates over the age of 18,
prompted the Board of Trustees and the administration, along with concerned members
of the general public, to call for a separate facility for women. The overcrowding was
somewhat alleviated by the establishment of the Ohio Reformatory for Women in
Marysville in 1911. As the school grew, new departments were added and others
strengthened. An accredited high school was added, along with a hospital, dental clinic,
staff dietitian, and psychological and placement departments.