School House Restaurant, Camp Dennison, Ohio

The Camp Dennison School was built in 1864 after the conclusion of the Civil War and was occupied from 1870 – 1952 as part of the Hamilton County School District. It was one of the first 2 room, 2 story brick schools built in the Midwest. It was designed in a cross construction pattern with gables containing Italianate style bracketing on the corners. In 1939 the school was remodeled by the WPA adding steam heating, indoor bathrooms, water fountains and enlarging the windows to let in more light. On the first floor were the classrooms. Grades 1-4 were in the current kitchen and grades 5-8 are in the current dining room. The second story contained the Principal’s office, used as our bar for special events, and the Auditorium / theater stage / gymnasium, now available for special events. The last class graduated from The Camp Dennison School in 1952 and the students were relocated to the new Drake School in the Indian Hill School District.

At this point, Dravo gravel company bought the school. Their plan was to demolish the school for additional gravel mining. The State of Ohio declined this plan due to the proximity to St Rt 126, then the school became office space for Dravo Gravel Company until 1961. The Camp Dennison School was then purchased by Donald & Phyllis Miller who turned it into a restaurant which saved the school from being demolished.

GPS Location: 39º11’57.0″N 84º17’23.0″W