Cass Tech High School in Detroit, is a four-year preparatory school, founded in 1907. It's named after Lewis Cass, who was governor of the Michigan Territory in the early part of the 19th century. Students wanting to attend Cass Tech must have high test scores in middle school, and once accepted are required to choose a curriculum much like college.
In 2004, a modern day addition was added north of the original building, making the historic building on Second Avenue obsolete. In 2007 there was a fire in the old structure, and by 2011, the building was finally demolished, leaving no trace of the once historic building.
After the fire in 2007, the building became a frequent hang-out for urban explorers and scrappers. Because it was directly in the shadow of the newer school building, it was well patrolled by school security and local police. I always had a curiosity about entering the building, but because there were so many empty structures in Detroit that could be easily accessed, I stayed clear of it for years. When it was announced in the paper that it was going to be demolished, I figured time was running out and I'd better get a look before demolition crews started setting up.
In September of 2010, I walked through the front door of the building. The makeshift security barring entry to the building was completely disassembled. Best I could figure, someone had seen us enter the building, because within the first hour we entered, someone had nailed the building shut, preventing us from getting out. Finding a way out turned what was supposed to be a short adventure, into a four hour debacle of finding our way back out on the street.
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| ©tom stoye |
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| ©tom stoye |
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| ©tom stoye |
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| ©tom stoye |
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