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Restoring South High School: A Beaux-Arts Icon in Youngstown

Words: Eric Holm, Executive Director, Jubilee Urban Development
Photos:Eric Holm

A Testament To Time And Craftsmanship
In the heart of Youngstown, Ohio, stands a structure that has witnessed more than a century of history, resilience, and craftsmanship. South High School, completed in 1911 and designed in the Beaux-Arts style, embodies the strength and artistry of early-20th-century masonry. Constructed of limestone, brick, and marble, the building’s enduring shell has outlasted industrial upheavals, demographic shifts, and economic decline.

Today, Jubilee Urban Development has undertaken the ambitious task of restoring this 100,000-square-foot landmark. “Our goal is to revive South High as a living monument to both education and skilled trades,” says Eric Holm, executive director of Jubilee Urban Development. “We want to honor the craftsmanship that built it while preparing a new generation to carry that craft forward.”

Architectural Heritage: Owsley’s Beaux-Arts Vision
South High School was the work of the Youngstown architectural firm Owsley, Boucherle & Owsley, led by father-and-son team Charles Henry and Charles Frederick Owsley. Charles Frederick’s training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris shaped the building’s symmetry, ornamentation, and enduring use of masonry materials.

The limestone and brick exterior is anchored by a rusticated stone base designed for weather resistance and visual heft. Engaged Corinthian columns rise through the façade, while Doric pilasters frame the upper levels, all crowned by a balustrade parapet that permits drainage and stability. Inside, terrazzo floors and marble steps in the lobby display both durability and beauty, elements that continue to gleam more than a century later.

“Beaux-Arts masonry is not only grand in appearance, it has a sense of permanence,” Holm notes. “Every joint, every carved capital was meant to stand for generations. That’s the level of integrity we aim to preserve.”

 

A Legacy Forged In Masonry And Community
When South High opened its doors in 1911, it quickly became a cornerstone of civic life for the neighborhood. The impressive structure hosted classes, assemblies, and athletic events; its gymnasium and auditorium hosted community gatherings for decades.

The building’s connection to Youngstown’s working-class spirit mirrors the city’s own story, built on hard work, steel, and skill. “It’s fitting that this building, born from stone and mortar, now becomes a training ground for future tradespeople,” says Holm.



Assessment And Preservation Plan

A 2024 review confirmed that South High’s masonry envelope remains remarkably sound. Despite the years, the limestone has resisted spalling, the mortar joints, though eroded, have held their bond, and the majority of terrazzo hall floors show only superficial wear. Restoration specialists plan to:

  • Repoint with lime-based mortar compatible with original materials.

  • Clean limestone using non-abrasive, low-pressure water methods to avoid efflorescence or surface loss.

  • Repair localized brick sections with historically accurate replacements from regional suppliers.

  • Restore interior marble wainscoting and terrazzo flooring, matching original aggregate composition.

  • Rebuild sections of the stone wall around the property.
These techniques will not only preserve the building’s historic character but also provide practical learning opportunities for students in the future masonry program.



Education Through Preservation
By the 2026-2027 school year, Jubilee Urban Development plans to reopen South High School as a dual-purpose educational hub: a private high school coupled with a trades and technology center. One of our goals is a dedicated masonry program, developed in partnership with the Masonry Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and following the NCCER curriculum, that will occupy part of the renovated complex.

“Students will literally learn within the walls that exemplify their craft,” Holm explains. “From repointing original joints to studying load distribution in Roman arches, the building itself becomes their textbook.”

The program will also collaborate with local contractors to train both high school students and returning citizens, addressing the shortage of skilled masons.



Balancing Modern Codes With Historic Integrity
Preserving early-20th-century masonry while meeting 21st-century standards presents unique challenges. Engineers must integrate seismic retrofitting discreetly within existing columns, improve waterproofing without sealing the stone, and install modern HVAC and insulation systems while maintaining breathability of the envelope.

“Our philosophy is simple,” says Holm. “We don’t overwrite history, we collaborate with it. Every repair is an education in respect for the material.”

Masonry As Legacy
As restoration advances through 2025 and 2026, South High’s enduring materials stand as proof of masonry’s timeless value. The project embodies the preservation of a community anchor combined with sustainability through longevity and the transmission of craftsmanship to new generations.

When the doors reopen, students will once again walk the hall's terrazzo floors and climb the marble steps polished by history. The building will not only symbolize renewal for Youngstown but also stand as a national model for how preservation, education, and industry can unite through masonry.


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About the Author
Eric Holm is the Executive Director of Jubilee Urban Development, a non-profit organization focused on restoring historic properties and fostering workforce development in Youngstown, Ohio.


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