June 3, 2012
Today my son and I went on a photo tour I found through Meetup. The opportunity took us into the heart of Detroit and its urban decay (from which it is now rebounding greatly). On this day, we shot at Detroit Mackenzie High School, just days before its demolition. I have my doubts about how legit the tour was in terms of legal access, but we had a big group and it seemed reasonably safe.
Full disclosure: many of the photos on this post were taken by my son, who seems to have a natural ability that allows him to make great photos where I must work at it.
As you will see in the pictures, in some parts of the school, it seems like class had recently been in session, with notes remaining on the chalkboards. The school had some pretty impressive craftsmanship, and it is sad to see it in such condition, though with a new school next door that surely is better equipped for our modern world, it is easy to understand.
As always, click on any photo to see a larger version.
The Forgetful Wanderer 
This was the high school in my neighborhood. I didn’t attend but took driver’s ed there. My sister was a math teacher and over Mackenzie’s yearbook during my high school years. The few times I’ve been inside to roam the halls, classrooms, find the front office(and met Jerome Bettis lol), I was in absolute awe of the architectural beauty and enormous size. I went to a small catholic school with 3 entrances – Mackenzie had so many! Their band was awesome EVERY year! They had a pool! I remember, after school, in warm weather, the kids would crowd around the DQ down the street and when cold they’d pile inside Royals, a hamburger spot at the intersection of Joy/Wyoming. I left the state in ’89 and years later was shocked to hear and see what had become of The Mack and so many other iconic schools there. Whatever Detroit does, good or bad, it does it to the fullest – no half steppin’! Charles R Drew is no longer the Middle school but a transition facility now. I didn’t check on Barton Elementary bit it;s most likely gone to. Cass got a wonderful rebuild. Sad the others couldn’t have done the same or at maintain what was there. I miss rvrything about the Detroit I grew up in. Going to Northland, Fairlane to shop. Belle Isle to hang out with friends or the marina to lounge on my uncle’s boat. Greektown, Trapper’s Alley and riding by the festivals. Ice skating (mostly falling) at Hart plaza, concerts at Joe Louis, College Fairs at Cobo Hall, roller skating at Northlan rink and the auto show! . Going to Mi, Cental Stn to take the train ti Ann Arbor for the day. Eating dinner at the Renaissance’s revolving restaurant.Standing in line early at the dock waitng to go to Boblo with friends and taking the last bioat back so we could dance all the way home! The Eastern Market, freezing on Woodward at the parade and shopping at Hudson’s downtown! This was a lot, I know, and I still could go on. Thank you for pictures of what was the most beautiful building in my former neighborhood
This was the high school in my neighborhood. I didn’t attend but took driver’s ed there. My sister was a math teacher and over Mackenzie’s yearbook during my high school years. The few times I’ve been inside to roam the halls, classrooms, find the front office(and met Jerome Bettis lol), I was in absolute awe of the architectural beauty and enormous size. I went to a small catholic school with 3 entrances – Mackenzie had so many!
Their band was awesome EVERY year! They had a pool! I remember, after school, in warm weather, the kids would crowd around the DQ down the street and when cold they’d pile inside Royals, a hamburger spot at the intersection of Joy/Wyoming.
I left the state in ’89 and years later was shocked to hear and see what had become of The Mack and so many other iconic schools there. For sure whatever Detroit does, good or bad, it does it to the fullest – no half steppin’!
Charles R Drew is no longer the Middle school but a transition facility now. I didn’t check on Barton Elementary but it’s most likely gone too. Cass got a wonderful rebuild. Sad the others couldn’t have done the same or maintain what was there. I miss everything about the Detroit I grew up in. Going to Northland/ Fairlane to shop. Belle Isle to hang out with friends or the marina to lounge on my uncle’s boat. Greektown, Trapper’s Alley and riding by the festivals. Ice skating (mostly falling) at Hart plaza, concerts at Joe Louis, College Fairs at Cobo Hall, roller skating at Northland rink and the auto show! . Going to Michigan Central Stn to take the train to Ann Arbor for the day. Eating dinner at the Renaissance’s revolving restaurant. Standing in line early at the dock waiting to go to Boblo with friends and taking the last boat back so we could dance all the way home! The Eastern Market, freezing on Woodward at the parade and shopping at Hudson’s downtown! This was a lot, I know, and I still could go on. Thank you for pictures of what was the most beautiful building in my former neighborhood!