An Abandoned Detroit School, Now And Then. Demolition. Slate is published by The Slate The school board argued that it would cost more to renovate the structure than to build a brand-new one, citing problems with the buildings outdated electrical, heating, and plumbing systems, the undersized gymnasium and library, as well as the leaking roofs. The classrooms were left full of desks and other supplies when the district abandoned the building. At its peak, Redford High School had over 4,000 students. Cass Tech was abandoned by the school districts with tons of school supplies, computers, musical instruments and more left behind. But they wouldnt bother us. History is cyclical, and its affect on Detroit will be no exception. 2023 A lot of people felt it was overwhelming with that many people. Detroiturbex.com is a website and photo project which documents a changing Detroit. I remember us hanging out at the police station across the street from school. (source), In the foreground, the desintegrating old Cass Tech High School that is often featured in media reports on Detroit, eclipsing the snazzy new Cass Tech located immediately next door. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. McCollum, Brian (September 2003). Cass students in one of the school's gyms. The operator of the tank driving school in the East German . SIGN IN. Celebrate the year you became a full-fledge Cass Technical High School CASSmate! Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Architecture. Utilizing images of the school in its heyday transposed over photos of the neglected building, Detroiturbex succeeds in evoking a state of Detroit's decline. [3] It was established in 1907 and is part of the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Pictures from the demolition of the school in 2011. Its just not that clear-cut. Cass Tech Lives. Though Detroit Urbexs Cass Tech series failed to stop the schools demolition, it remains an important testimony of what the school used to be. Somehow this midcentury gem is still on the market. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Ellen Burstyn (born Edna Rae Gillooly; December 7, 1932) is an American actress best known for her roles in films of the 1970s, such as The Last Picture Show, The Exorcist, and Alice Doesn't Live .more #29 of 77 The Best Actresses to Ever Win Oscars for Best Actress #7 of 100 The Best Living Actresses Over 80 #47 of 76 The Best Oscar Hosts Ever When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Michigan; Cass Tech High School; . Cass Tech could hold about 5,000 studentsthats about 1,500 kids in every grade. In 1950 Detroit was the city of tomorrow. Renovation was deemed impossible and the decision . Turn on desktop notifications for breaking news. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. Cass Tech stands behind it. [citation needed], The school's Harp program was established in 1925. Cass Tech High School (old) - Photos gallery Historic Detroit Cass Tech High School (old) - Photos Cass Tech High School (old) The massive machinery that drove Cass Tech's elevators. Although I hated to see it demolished, the building isnt what makes us great. Comedian, Theatrical producer, Television producer, Record producer, Television producer, Film Producer. Check out photos of the building at Detroiturbex.com. The police never bothered us. To mark the contrast of the school both during its prime and demise, Detroit Urbex created a nostalgic photomontage of Detroits urban remodeling, available as an online archive. Downtown Detroits essential architecture: A walking tour. [25], A new campus opened in May 2005 in an adjacent lot on Grand River Avenue to the north of the original building. We regret the error. Abandoned Detroit School Given Life Through Photos Lewis Cass Technical High School, demolished in 2011, was one of Detroit's largest high schools. One of its recent projects focuses on Cass Technical High School, a building damaged by a fire in 2007 and later demolished in 2011. The Detroit Boat Club as it appears today. Patrick Krupa (www.patrickrupa.com) for HistoricDetroit.org. It was designed by Malcolmson & Higginbotham with additional architectural support from Albert Kahn. [7] The 1922 building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in March 2011. Pinterest. 2023 Atlas Obscura. I had an opportunity to see the new building in 2015. [14] Cass Tech students' strong academic performances draw recruiters from across the country, including Ivy League representatives eager to attract the top minority applicants. In 2005 the main building was abandoned with the remaining students occupying an adjacent addition. Cass Tech was a proud educational landmark in downtown Detroit. Glenn Tunstull (on crutches) celebrates with Cass Technical High School classmates at his send-off to NYC for college./Photo courtesy of Glenn Tunstull "For an ambitious 15-year-old entry into the highly regarded Cass Technical High School was like being tossed a life raft, wrapped in creativity. Detroiturbex is attempting to bring attention to these ghostly remains through a photo project highlighting the city's abandoned buildings. RF T09F84 - High angle view of a vintage camera, film, photo paper and light meter. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Welcome! [21], Cass Tech's track and field history goes back to 1926 when Eddie Tolan and his teammate Loving won the interscholastic track meet at Northwestern University. Jumping out the windows to get out of the classrooms, since it wasnt that far down. Named in honor of Lewis Cass, the school was located on the top floor of the old Cass Union School, a three-story brick building built in 1861 on a farm donated by Lewis Cass. The incredible Stone Hedge mansion, built for Detroit Tigers owner Walter O. Briggs, is listing for $1,050,000. Today. Cooley High School was built for a growing Detroit population in Detroits northwest side. A lot of memories come back when I go past it. Everythingsonsaletoday As a building on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the original structure was left in place, however a large fire gutted it in 2007. Richard L. LaVoie. This list of distinguished Cass Technical High School alumni is loosely ordered by relevance, so the most recognizable celebrities who attended Cass Technical High School are at the top of the list. (source). In 2000, the Detroit Public School District announced plans for construction of the current modern Cass Tech building, which was built in 2004. In 2008, the band performed at Texas Southern University. Atlas Obscura is proud to present this post as part of a partnership with the excellentPalladium Boots, who encourage you to explore your street, city, and the world. The old structure caught fire in 2007, and was eventually demolished in November 2011. In addition to a specialized curriculum, Cass Tech offers college pathway courses in arts and communication, business management, marketing and technology, engineering, manufacturing and technology, health sciences, natural resources and agriscience, and human services. I attended because I had a first cousin who also graduated from Cass. More information The area was like, Did our parents really love us? There were drug dealers, hookersit was skid row. After that school was mostly destroyed by a fire, a building for Cass Tech was built on the site and opened in October 1912, but was soon overcrowded. Tomlin started her career as a stand-up comedian as well as performing Off-Broadway. What doesnt appear in the images, however, is how the old Cass Tech, with its classic and imposing architecture, made high-schoolers feel like they belonged to something great. Cass Technical High School Opened in 1907, the original Cass Technical High School, commonly referred to as Cass Tech, was located at 2501 Second Avenue in Detroit. The original building was designed Burrowes & Eurich, but there were multiple additions over the subsequent decades. History of Cass Tech High school from its founding to the present day. Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library. Built in a style of gothic construction at the beginning of the 20th century, Cass Tech was a symbol of success for one of Detroits only magnet schools; it was demolished in 2011. Population and industry in Detroit has declined remarkably in recent years. We lived about four miles from the school and took the Grand River bus. Media outlets have labeled the once thriving Motor City "a ghost town. [1], Of the students attending Cass Technical High School in 202122, 1,832 (76.2%) of them are Black, 277 (11.5%) are Hispanic, 223 (9.3%) are Hispanic, 57 (2,4%) are White, 6 (0.2%) are American Indian or Alaska Native, and 9 (0.4%) are multi-racial. Even so, we loved it. (source). In 2005 the main building was abandoned with the remaining students occupying an adjacent addition. Comments (-1) OCTECHS Newsletter: Champions Chronicals. At the end of the 2009-2010 school year, Cooley High School closed due to budget deficits and decreased enrollment. Cass Tech won the 2011, 2012 and 2016 MHSAA Division I state championships. This t-shirt will be a great addition to your CT Vibe wardrobe. The first class graduated in 1910 with only six or seven students, but by 1909 enrollment jumped to 700 students and a new wing was added to the Cass Union School to accommodate the increased enrollment. When you went through the second set of double doors, the school opened into many different hallways. Circa 1929. Now Detroit and its citizens are boldly setting the standard for reinvention, showing how a city can be changed not just for the better but for the different, considering the previous ideal didnt pan out so well. Of course, nostalgia makes you think mine was better, but the children of today need a beautiful school with windows and air conditioners that have all the modern features that a school in Birmingham or Grosse Pointe has. Melded together, the kaleidoscopic photos of Detroit reveal a true ghost town. The most striking aspect of the Now and Then series is that the classrooms remained almost unchanged after the building was abandoned, still equipped with computers and furniture. First opening as Cass Union School, it moved to its Second Avenue location in 1922. Cass Tech High School (old) - Demolition photos gallery Historic Detroit R Rod kurowski 8 followers More information Cass Tech High School (old) - Demolition photos gallery Historic Detroit City Skyline Casino Hotel Wrecking Ball Demolition Photo Galleries High School Tech High School Tech More information . Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Learn more. A new building nearby on Second Avenue was designed in Collegiate Gothic style by Malcolmson and Higginbotham with Albert Kahn as construction architect; construction began in 1916,[6] the cornerstone was laid in 1917,[7] and after delays caused by World War I austerity measures, the building opened in September 1922. Martindale appointed Comfort principal of Cass Technical School, and in 1907 the school opened with an enrollment of 110 students. It is named after Lewis Cass. RM JJJGNY - Benneckenstein, Germany. Opened in 1907, the original Cass Technical High School, commonly referred to as Cass Tech, was located at 2501 Second Avenue in Detroit. Detroiturbex is attempting to bring attention to these ghostly remains through a photo project highlighting the city's abandoned buildings. I have memories of running down the halls and writing my name on the walls. These plans were met with resistance, as many alumni felt the original building would be emotionally difficult to demolish. Ground was broken in 2002, and a ribbon cutting took place three years later in 2005, though the old building was not demolished. A victim of globalization, corporate greed, and the collapseof the industrial belt, Detroit was in rough shape by the 1970s. [citation needed] He was the first African-American to receive the title of the "world's fastest human" after winning gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters events at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Confronting Satan in a Dark Spanish Castle. The original Cass Technical High School was built in 1922, and for over 80 years, the drab, antiquated eight-story structure was full of thousands of secondary school students.. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Applications continued to surge until finally the City Council was able to find the money for a new building for Cass Tech. Share your memories by posting photos or stories, or find out about your next class reunion! I was amazed at the school. Crumbling Houses Show the Sad Decline of Detroit. Detroit Urbexs series was influenced by the work of photographer Camilo Jos Vergara, who has documented the evolution of American cities taking the exact same photograph over a period of time, sometimes over decades. By Emily Badger 3 minute Read. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. [6][7] Departments in the 1922 building were grouped by floor; facilities included a foundry and machine shops that were used for training by Ford outside school hours, and the auditorium was used as a practice hall by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. To "raise awareness of the social and economic challenges the city of Detroit," the folks at Detroiturbex decided to tell the story about an abandoned Lewis Cass Technical High School with the help of superimposed then-and-now photos. Escapism via car had been the goal of much the work being done in Detroit: earn enough to not have to be there anymore, then move to the land of suburban dreams-come-true as soon as the option presents itself. Comments (-1) The Workforce of Tomorrow Roundtable. The massive machinery that drove Cass Tech's elevators. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. In 2017, the building suffered severe damage from a fire in its auditorium. Watch. In high school, she was on the swim team, Y-Teens, and a hall guard. In the early twentieth century, Detroit had three high schools and a city-wide graduation rate of 35 percent. [15] However, in 2019, Cass Tech was not among the 78 Michigan high schools with the highest average SAT scores. As a child, he proved himself an apt learner . The original swimming pool, which was closed after the addition was added in the 1980s. In the words of the inimitableLL Cool J: Dont call it a comeback. In his full career as a sprinter, Tolan won 300 races and lost only 7. In 2017, when I came back, a piece of me died inside. Group, a Graham Holdings Company. [17], In 1984, Cass Tech was honored by the U.S. Department of Education among 262 schools that should "shine as inspirational model for others," a list that included public and private schools. The brick and limestone Gothic building was large: eight stories fitting 4,400 students and 50 classrooms. Sep 20, 2021 - Cass Tech High School (old) - Old photos gallery Historic Detroit. Cass Tech High School (old) - The bridge on the left connects to the High School of Commerce, which was the original Cass Tech. As a result schools and homes which were quickly built to support a growing industry in the 20s and 30s have since been abandoned, subject to arson or demolished. Winner will be selected at random on 06/01/2023. It remains lovingly cared-for, murals included. The Main Building of the Detroit Public Library as it appears today. [5], The school was founded in 1907 on the third floor of Cass Union School on Grand Union Avenue, subsequently moving to its own wing. While Detroit architecture and culture has indeed suffered, much remains, and there are many who work fiercely to protect it. (source). 20th July, 2017. She graduated in Home Economics with the January class of 1962 from Cass Technical High School in Detriot, Michigan. It is here is where we pick up the modern narrative of Detroit, the Roger and Me story of a city abandoned by its industry, and collapsing into a pile of rubblebut look again. In the Spring of 2006 the new Cass Tech High School, being built next door (out of view to the right side of this photograph) opened its doors. Pep band makes their way through a crowd. It played a pivotal role in our trajectory. He set world records in the 100-yard dash and 100 meters event and Olympic records in the 100 meters and 200 meters events. Translate Language. I was never fearful going to school because all of them respected Cass Tech as place of higher learning and knew that us kids came from miles away in the dark to go to school each day. Visit nh.gov for a list of free . Media outlets have labeled the once thriving Motor City "a ghost town," referencing the dilapidated ruins of buildings that remain untouched in parts of Michigan's largest city. Detroits copper and brass rolling mills. The city was splendid before the advent of the automobile, and later set an example for the nation (if not the world) on how to stoke an economic and social boom. In an NPR interview, Jack White of the White Stripes, one of the schools most famous alumnus, articulated this sentiment: Going to school there at 14 was like all of a sudden you were going to Harvard or something, he said. Historic Briggs mansion in Boston-Edison lists for just over $1M. Cass Tech, on the left, was connected via a bridge to the High School of Commerce, right, which had served as the previous home of Cass Tech. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. Register as an alumni from Cass Technical High School and reunite with old friends and classmates. Diana Ross (born March 26, 1944) is an American singer, actress, and record producer. Anne Church in Southwest Detroit a basilica. Between the move and the time when the building was torn down, the once majestic building was left to decay. [Detroits] been here for years. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Students work in the Cass Tech foundry about 1940. We had hoped to provoke substantive discussion about the school, its past, and its future., Dismantling Cass Tech was a controversial decision. All rights reserved. In loving memory ..Detroit Redford High School, Revisit these 5 Curbed Detroit stories that have nothing to do with coronavirus. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. An aerial view of Cass Tech on April 17, 2009. It was huge: eight stories with an elevator that been around for decades. [citation needed] The marching band was also a part of the 2007 Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, but was not televised. And, in the words of the former principal George Cohen, nostalgia doesnt fix the cracks.. [10][11], In 2008, due to declining enrollment, teacher staffing was reduced and some classes that were not very popular with students were removed. Our kids deserve the same or better. [12], Cass offers over twenty advanced placement courses including language composition, history, chemistry, calculus, and physics. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "casstechnicalhighschool" Flickr tag. List of famous alumni from Cass Technical High School, with photos when available. I remember the auditorium with graduation ceremonies, plays, and music functions. It would have cost around $60.8 million to build today. Remember the Balogh House? [6][7], The former building, including the extension, was left vacant (with classroom fittings and supplies inside). Architecturally, I thought it was beautiful. The fight over an iconic high school may be coming to a head in Detroit: Cass Technical High School was closed six years ago after a new school was built next door, but the old. It was ultimately demolished in 2012. Explore. Also, many of these schools were architectural gems designed by some of the citys most renowned firms and designers. In the Cass Tech project, images Duce took of the destroyed school were layered with photos from the 1980s and 1990s that came from a box of negatives found in the old yearbook room. I enjoyed school, being able to go there with my siblings. Students work in the Cass Tech foundry about 1940. It also occupied an opulent building designed by renowned local firm Donaldson & Meier in the Mediterranean Revival-style. The specter of Michigan Central Station has become emblematic of the dichotomy between Detroits past and present state. Photo from 1910-1920. I got along with everyone. Wow my high school is gone, they tore it down. Odessa Career & Technical Early College High School ECISD Home. Cass Tech High School (old) Students work on engines in a Cass Tech shop class. ], including the Symphony in B-flat by Paul Hindemith and La Fiesta Mexicana by H. Owen Reed. The Detroit Museum of Artwas demolished in 1960 for the Hastings Expressway. Scroll through the images below and let us know what you think of Detroiturbex's project in the comments section. At that time, we were the only school with a gymnastics program so I got very involved with that. Some have a story, but we have a legacy. Check out more photos at historicdetroit.org. This CASSmates special edition t-shirt is available in sizes small to 3x. In the Cass Tech project, images Duce took of the destroyed school were layered with photos from the 1980s and 1990s that came from a box of negatives found in the old yearbook room. They had a lawn area and we use to gather around over there. It was an area that was like an island unto itself. The swimming pool in the 1980s addition was supposed to be Olympic-size - but contractors used English measurement instead of metric. OC hosted a roundtable discussion about industry and workforce ready graduates. The fire was in fact minor and the demolition was unrelated. Even if your parents were dogging you, you had your friends at school that you could hang out with and would always look out for each other. Cass Technical High School Alumni, Class Reunions, Yearbooks, Technicians Classmates, and more! [24] Tolan came to be known as the "Midnight Express". Paul Hitz (www.paulhitzphotography.com) for HistoricDetroit.org. Named in honor of Lewis Cass, the school was located on the top floor of the old Cass Union School, a three-story brick building built in 1861 on a farm donated by Lewis Cass. The past few decades haven't treated Detroit well. The rest of the story is familiar; mid-century found Detroit in full swing as Motor City USA, a modern metropolis, a shining light for the future of the midwest. Patrick Krupa (www.patrickrupa.com) for HistoricDetroit.org The cafeteria in the 1980s addition Mark Hall for HistoricDetroit.org 1900-1915. . They may have planned to take everything when the school was going to be demolished, added Duce, but after the demolition got pushed back months, and then years, the items left behind lost all value and werent worth salvaging.. ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. In addition to being one of Detroits highest performing schools, Cass Tech was also a historical landmark with an illustrious list of famous alumni like Alice Coltrane, Diana Ross, David Alan Grier, and Big Sean to name a few. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. The group sifted through old photographs of the school's peak years . The Bishops Mansion, Detroits largest residence, sells for $2.7M. [16] In 2021, U.S. News ranked Cass Tech 84th among Michigan high schools, and reported a 62.9% percentile score on the SAT. It was established in 1907 and is part of the Detroit Public Schools Community District.It is named after Lewis Cass.. Until 1977, Cass was Detroit's only magnet school and the only non-neighborhood enrollment school in Detroit. No purchase necessary. Caria leaned on organizations such as . [6] In 1985, an addition on the south side was opened, designed by Albert Kahn & Associates, which included performing arts facilities, a new pool, and a student cafeteria, and a wing of the building was remodeled for computer and business classes. It had a capacity of 3,600 students and was connected to the High School of Commerce, which opened earlier the same year in Cass Tech's former building, by Victory Memorial Arch, a pedestrian bridge over Main Street that was a memorial to students killed in the war. The venerable Second Avenue facade of Cass Tech High School. In July 1942, the top of Detroits city hall was dwarfed by the more modern Penobscot Building in the background. In the foreground, the desintegrating old Cass Tech High School that is often featured in media reports on Detroit, eclipsing the snazzy new Cass Tech located immediately . The Slate Group LLC. Transcending: Detroits monument to the labor movement. 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved. Demolition began in December 2010 and was completed in August 2011. Romania: Castles, Ruins, and Medieval Villages, Iceland in Summer: Journey Through a Fabled Land, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Mokele-Mbembe, Accidental Discoveries: A Celebration of Historical Mistakes, Antiques and Their Afterlives: Stories from the Collection of Ryan and Regina Cohn, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Satanists, Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tale Writing With Anca Szilgyi, Gourds Gone Wild: Growing and Crafting Gourds With Gourdlandia, Playing Ancient Games: History & Mythology With John Bucher, Secrets of Tarot Reading: History & Practice With T. Susan Chang, Why 18th-Century Scots Performed Mock Human Sacrifices Over Cake. Don't Call It a Comeback: Detroit's History in Photos. Student Life. . (source). How Cass Tech has changed over the years. Students are required to choose a curriculum pathroughly equivalent to a college "major" in the ninth grade. Photo from 1910-1920. . Entrance is based on test scores and middle school grades. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Everything from Diana Ross to Lily Tomlin is included on this list. The CTMB (marching band), under the direction of Sharon Allen, has performed for Patti LaBelle, Sinbad, and Jay Z as well as various college and university homecomings. Under his baton, the concert band performed twice at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic, and played literature at a level far beyond that normally performed by a public high school band[according to whom? [6][8][9] By 1942 the school had more than 4,500 students and was the largest in Michigan. Old Cass Technical High School, Opened in 1922 In addition to being one of Detroit's highest performing schools, Cass Tech was also a historical landmark with an illustrious list of. Cass Technical High School serves 2,465 students in grades 9-12. Detroits 10 best social media accounts for architecture and homes, Locations in Detroit with ties to Inside the Actors Studio host James Lipton, Pope designates Ste. Regardless of how you look at it, Detroits been through a lot, and has some battle wounds to show for its fights. [20], The concert band program rose to prominence under the direction of Harry Begian, who led the Cass Tech bands from 1947 through 1964. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. The ruins of a similar first-wave industrial complex. The school also had an indoor pool and facilities for fencing, table tennis, indoor track and field, and ice skating and hockey. All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. So present was this dream that much of the art, culture and history of Detroit was paved over with auto money in a race to escape the city of tomorrow. Explore and purchase photos of your local teams. Then they put the pictures of the buzzing life from the . Comments (-1) SPIRIT Club Minutes. Offer subject to change without notice. Lewis Cass Technical High School, demolished in 2011, was one of Detroit's largest high schools. Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center - Newport (Newport, NH) White Mountains Regional High School (Whitefield, NH) Wilbur H. Palmer Vocational Technology Center (Hudson, NH) Windham Regional Career Center (Brattleboro, VT) Winnisquam Agricultural Programs (Tilton, NH) Portable Document Format (.pdf) . Cass Tech High School . Richard L. LaVoie 06/10/1944 - 03/21/2023 Richard L. LaVoie was born in 1944 in Detroit, MI to parents, Harold and Stella LaVoie.

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