History

History of Briggs High School

Briggs High School has deep roots in the Hilltop community of Columbus, Ohio, carrying a name connected to one of the area’s founding families. The school sits on land once owned by the Briggs family, whose presence helped shape the early development of the neighborhood now known as Briggsdale. Alongside the Sullivant family, the Briggs family played a meaningful role in supporting freedom seekers traveling north along Route 3—the historic 3-C Highway—by offering safe passage, shelter, and opportunities to settle during the era of the Underground Railroad. Their early contributions to engineering, community building, and humanitarian efforts remain an important part of the school’s identity.

Briggs High School officially opened its doors in late spring of 1975. While the new building was being completed, students spent part of the school year attending classes on the third floor of West High School, yet Briggs proudly celebrated its first graduating class that same spring. By fall of 1975, all grade levels moved into the newly finished campus—at a time when ninth grade was not yet part of high school—marking the first full academic year in the new building.

The school’s first principal, Gene Fekete, brought a remarkable legacy as a World War II Army veteran and former fullback on Ohio State University’s first national championship football team. In the early years, the Briggs football team practiced at Lindbergh Park, helping establish the school’s strong athletic traditions.

Since its opening, Briggs High School has continued to evolve while remaining a proud cornerstone of the Hilltop community. Generations of students have built on the school’s legacy of academic achievement, creative expression, community service, and personal growth. Today, Briggs stands as a testament to resilience, opportunity, and the spirit of the community it serves.