2026 South High School Walking Tour
April 21, 2026 & May 19, 2026
About the tour: Please join the Denver Architecture Foundation for a tour of Denver’s South High School. From a distance, South High is an inviting an impressive structure. A closer look reveals its intricate and often fanciful design. Attendees will learn about the exterior of the building before venturing inside to see its five floors of classrooms, clocktower, and alumni museum.
About the building: Located just southeast of Washington Park, Denver South High School was built in 1925 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style and is considered to be one of Denver’s best examples of the architecture of the City Beautiful Movement. It was designed by the architecture firm of William E. Fisher and Arthur A. Fisher, and contains murals by renowned muralist Allen Tupper True. Two 1963 additions were designed by architect Charles Gordon Lee, who studied with Frank Lloyd Wright. Also of particular interest are elaborate exterior friezes and interior decorative details by the noted sculptor, Robert Garrison.
About the tour guides: Kathleen Corbett, PH.D., the architectural historian who authored South’s nomination for the National Register of Historic Places. Kathy has served on Denver’s Landmark Preservation Commission and the Colorado Historic Preservation Review Board and has owned and operated Corbett AHS, Inc. since 2016.
Ken Dobrovolny, President of the South Alumni Association and a 1965 graduate of South, is a retired Master Trainer with the State of Colorado and a veteran.
Accessibility: South High has five floors of classrooms and a nine-story clock tower. There is one elevator going to the 5th floor, but some walking up and down stairs will be required for access to either the tower or the alumni museum. Two ADA accessible entrances are available: one at the north entrance and one on the southwest corner entrance to the gymnasium.
Refund policy: The Denver Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization. Ticket sales support the Foundation in continuing to provide quality events to the public. We are unable to provide refunds or credits for any reason less than 48 hours prior to the event.
Please note that DAF tours take place rain, snow or shine. If your tour includes an outdoor portion, please dress for the weather. DAF staff will contact all attendees directly should a tour be cancelled for any reason.
Photo credit to The Denver Public Library Digital Collections – Call Number C Photo 191.