David Riebel


David Riebel was a German-American architect in Columbus, Ohio. He was the head architect for the Columbus public school district from 1893 to 1922. In 1915, The Ohio Architect, Engineer and Builder considered his firm, David Riebel & Sons, to be the oldest and among the best architects in Columbus.

Early life and career

David Riebel was born on August 7, 1855, in Blenheim, Canada West. He was married in Bosanquet Township on November 3, 1875. At the time, he was described as a carpenter. With his wife, Margaret Ann Clemens, by 1895 he had four children: Laura, Elroy, Frederick, and Mary Edna.
Riebel began practicing architecture around 1878. His first major commissions were in Forest, Ontario: its town hall and the Second Empire-style mansion of Dr. James Hutton.
Riebel moved with his family to Columbus, Ohio, in February 1888 to open up a new architectural office. He became the first head of the architectural department of the Columbus Board of Education in 1893. In that position, Riebel designed about 40 Columbus public school buildings between 1891 and 1921; the remaining buildings are some of Columbus's most notable landmarks. His two sons joined him in designing buildings in 1904, after thorough training, giving the firm the name "David Riebel & Sons". Riebel continued in the position until 1922.
For a time, Riebel had his offices in the William J. Lhota Building, originally known as the New First National Bank Building.
David Riebel died on July 29, 1935. He is buried at Green Lawn Cemetery.

Works

In Columbus

Riebel was involved in the design of numerous Columbus buildings:
NameImageAddressDate completedStatusNotes
Beck Street School387 E. Beck Street1884In useUsed by the South Columbus Preparatory Academy
Avondale Elementary School141 Hawkes Avenue1892In useIn use by Columbus City Schools
Medary Avenue Elementary School2500 Medary Avenue1892VacantBridgeway Academy vacated in 2021
Felton School920 Leonard Avenue1893DemolishedNearly identical to the extant Southwood Elementary School
The Ohio Street School / Ohio Avenue Elementary School505 S. Ohio Avenue1893In useIn use by Columbus City Schools
The Great Southern Hotel & Theatre310 S. High Street1894In useCredited to Dauben, Krumm, and Riebel
Hubbard Avenue School / Hubbard Mastery School104 W. Hubbard Avenue1894In useIn use by Columbus City Schools
Southwood Elementary School1500 S. Fourth Street1894In useIn use by Columbus City Schools
Highland Avenue Elementary School40 S. Highland Avenue1895In useIn use by Columbus City Schools
The Schlee-Kemmler Building328 S. High Street1895In useCredited to Dauben, Krumm, and Riebel
Chicago Avenue School40 Chicago Avenue1897In useOperated by Franklinton Prep High School
Ninth Avenue Elementary School221 W. 9th Avenue1897Demolished
St. John the Baptist Church168 E. Lincoln Street1898Neighboring matching Gothic Revival convent demolished and reconstructed in 1991.
North Side High School addition100 W. Fourth Avenue1899Demolished In use C. 1899 addition by Riebel, in use by Columbus City Schools.
East High School / Franklin Junior High School1390 Franklin Avenue1899DemolishedVisually similar to the extant Charles S. Barrett Building
South High School / the Charles S. Barrett Building345 E. Deshler Avenue1900In useUsed as an apartment building
Livingston Elementary School825 E. Livingston Avenue; 744 Heyl Avenue1901DemolishedReplaced with a new structure
Mansion Day School / William A. Miller Residence72 Woodland Avenue1904In use
Bellows Avenue Elementary School / Bellows School725 Bellows Avenue1905VacantUnder renovation, at risk of demolition
Fourth Avenue School / Michigan Avenue School1200 Michigan Avenue1905In useIn use as the Michigan Avenue Apartments
Holy Rosary Elementary School1667 E. Main St.1906Demolished in 1973
St. John the Evangelist School930 South Ohio Avenue1906In useIn use as the St. John Community Center
Shepard School873 Walcutt Avenue1906In useClosed 1977; now used as offices
Eastwood Avenue Elementary School1355 Eastwood Avenue1907DemolishedClosed in 1974. David Riebel design.
West High School / Starling Middle School120 S. Central Avenue1908VacantUnder renovation into apartments
Indianola Junior High School / Graham Elementary and Middle School140 E. 16th Avenue1909In usePart of the Graham Family of Schools
Reeb Avenue Elementary School / the Reeb Avenue Center280 Reeb Avenue1909In useMulti-use building operated by a nonprofit
Champion Elementary School1270 Hawthorne Avenue1909DemolishedFormerly in the center of Poindexter Village, demolished c. 2008
West Broad Street School / West Broad Elementary School2744 W. Broad Street1910In useIn use by Columbus City Schools
Heyl Elementary School760 Reinhard Avenue1910DemolishedReplaced with affordable housing
Lane Avenue School / Laneview School2366 Kenny Road1910DemolishedUsed as OSU farm storage later in its history
The Stoddart Block260 S. 4th Street1911In useRenovated for micro-apartments
Dana Avenue School300 Dana Avenue1912In usePart of Columbus Collegiate Academy
Hotel Columbus235 E Long Street1912DemolishedSite of an apartment building today
Holy Family School57 S. Grubb Street1913Vacant
Crestview School / Indianola Informal K8 School251 E. Weber Road1915In useIn use by Columbus City Schools
Roosevelt Junior High School / Studer Avenue School1046 Studer Avenue1916Demolished
Budd Dairy Company1086 N. 4th Street1917In useActive as a food hall
The Seneca Hotel367 E. Broad Street1917In useCo-designed by Frank Packard. Active as apartments.
Fulton Street Elementary School450 E. Fulton Street1921DemolishedClosed in 1974
Burroughs Elementary School / John Burroughs School / Sullivant Avenue School551 S. Richardson Avenue1921In useIn use by Columbus City Schools
Linden Elementary School2626 Westerville Road1921DemolishedReplaced by Linden S.T.E.M. Academy in 2004
Pilgrim Elementary School440 Taylor Avenue1922VacantClosed 2008 and sold PACT in 2015

Outside Columbus

Works in other areas included: