Preservation Erie’s Backstage Erie Tours take attendees through historic buildings throughout Erie City and County. On October 18th, we’ll take you “backstage” at the old Columbus School, which today houses Community Shelter Services.
Columbus, also known as School No. 8, is located at 655 West 16th Street, near Poplar Street. It was designed by the team of Cyrus K. Porter, an accomplished Buffalo architect, and his partner George Watkins, and built by Constable & Ramsey in 1875. When it opened, this eight-room school had 418 seats!