These Then-And-Now Photos Of This Defunct School Near Cleveland Will Leave You Speechless
By Nikki Rhoades|Published June 21, 2019
×
Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Here in Cleveland, we know the term Rust Belt all too well. It refers to a certain state of disrepair clinging to a city ridden with declining industrial roots. Cleveland, a steel-producing city that is intrinsically linked to the Rust Belt, rose from the ashes of industry and revitalized the city with a stunning culture that has transformed entire neighborhoods. The rebirth that occurred in Cleveland was not unusual, as changes like this have occurred throughout the state. Many cities have seen their own structures find a new life, and some, like this one landmark institution, were once in a state of total neglect. You won’t believe how the ruins of this former school near Cleveland were transformed.
Welcome to The Vermillion Institute, a building that stood in a state of ruin for eight long decades.
Even from the outside, the remains of this former school near Cleveland were very clearly derelict. Windows were missing, its gable roof discolored, and its former identity was completely obscured.
This building served as a center for higher learning for some of the earliest students in the state. Its cornerstone was set in 1845.
In its early years, many prominent thinkers walked through these halls. At max enrollment, 600 great minds strolled the school grounds. However, as students left to serve their country, the building (and the surrounding structures that once decorated school grounds) had its fate sealed.
Advertisement
This building went on to house a private academy and Hayesville High School, though it was ultimately abandoned circa 1929.
Decrepit and heartbreaking, this structure decayed inside and out. Many of the surrounding buildings disappeared, and it lost many of its identifying elements as time passed it by.
This is how the structure looked when Steven McQuillin of Steven Mcquillin & Associates, a group with expertise in the preservation of historic structures, purchased the building in 2011.
Inside and out, his team added tiny touches - including crown molding and rich cherry wood accents - to slowly breath new life into a once-decaying building.
McQuillin formerly worked at Nela Park in East Cleveland, and he has also helped preserve the Terminal Tower and the Higbee Building in Cleveland. Located an hour south of the city, this stunning structure is truly a testament to the great minds that this region has produced - and will continue to produce in the future.
It’s absolutely incredible to see how one building can change so dramatically. How has Cleveland changed over your lifetime? Have you noticed any spectacular renovations? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
For more information about the Vermillion Institute, check out its Facebook page here.
