South High School, high school in Denver
South High School is a public school in Denver that began in 1883 with two classrooms and gradually expanded into a full educational facility. The current building was completed in 1926 and features Romanesque architecture with large rounded arches, detailed stonework, and ornamental sculptures and carvings.
The school originated in 1883 in a sparsely populated southern part of Denver and grew from the Union School, the first school on the city's south side. Named Denver South High School in 1926, it was built in its current building as part of Denver's City Beautiful plan.
The building displays Italian-inspired architectural details such as gargoyles and a tower that reference European cathedrals. These ornamental elements shape the daily appearance of the campus and create an uncommon learning environment compared to other school buildings in the city.
The school sits next to Washington Park, a popular recreation area, making it convenient to find. Visitors can explore the building's exterior and view architectural details such as the clock tower and stonework from public areas around the campus.
The school's architecture was inspired by Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Cosmedin, but with a twist: the building features carvings of teachers with creatures that appear to try to eat students. These playful details were part of the original artistic vision for the building.
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