Leo the Lion…

Steele High School, opened to students in 1894, was built at a cost of $325,000 which, at the time, was an unprecedented amount. Consequently, there were no funds for the decoration of the interior of the facility.  Shortly after its opening, the students and faculty alike banded together to form the Decorative Art Association.  The fee for membership was five cents a month and these dues were collected by the students and placed in an account for the purchase of artwork.  Within two decades, the group had purchased upwards of a hundred photographs, paintings and casts; including the magnificent bronze lion, nicknamed “Leo,” for the purposes of beautifying the school’s grounds.  “Leo” was dedicated in December, 1908, and though raging waters temporarily knocked him off his pedestal, the sculpture managed to survive 1913 flood.  Several decades later, when it was determined that Steele High School would be demolished, the majestic bronze lion was moved to the grounds of the Dayton Art Institute, where it can be seen today.  The piece was restored to its original condition in 1986 by the Steele High School Alumni Association. This photograph is from Dayton History’s Image Collection.

To see other historical images from our collection, search our Digital Photo Archive.