Old Huntington High School, public school in Huntington, West Virginia, United States
Old Huntington High School is a neoclassical building constructed from buff-colored brick with four and a half stories and a U-shaped floor plan formed by a central block and two wings. The main structure spans over 155,000 square feet with a central courtyard surrounded by three later additions, plus a separate red brick building originally used as a carriage house and kitchen.
Designed by architect Verus T. Ritter and opened on September 4, 1916, the building served as a high school for roughly eighty years until its closure in 1996. After merging with another school, the structure was repurposed and gained recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
The building served as a gathering place for generations of Huntington residents and shaped the town's sense of community pride. Its classical design with columns and balanced proportions reflects the era when public institutions were built to inspire and endure.
The building now houses apartments, artist studios, a small gallery, and a YMCA branch, offering visitors several reasons to explore the space. Access varies depending on which facilities are open, so it helps to plan your visit around the schedules of these different operations.
In 1964, the building served as a filming location for the movie Teen-Age Strangler, creating an unexpected connection between this educational institution and local film history. This cinematic moment adds an intriguing layer to the site's story beyond its role in the community.
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