Hunter School is one of Detroit’s many forgotten schools next to Morley School, Cass Union School, Andrew Jackson Intermediate School, Liebold-Leonard School, and Huber School. Not much history is known about the Hunter School in Detroit, Michigan. This news article will explore and explain the history behind Hunter School. Not too much is known about the Hunter School.
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| Hunter School as shown in 1927. |
Hunter School aka Hunter Middle School and Hunter Elementary School was built in 1902 on Bayside Street in the Oakwood Heights district neighborhood of Detroit. The school was built as a middle school and elementary school for students in grades 1-8. Citizens and alumni referred to the first Hunter School as a “small building”. The school would stay at this location until 1913 when Detroit Public Schools decided to relocate the school 5 blocks north.
Hunter School was rebuilt in 1914 as an elementary school at the address of 530 South Colonial. The building was 3 stories tall and included a rotunda library. The rotunda library was the 2 story semi-circle building located up front facing Colonial. Structurally speaking, the building on Colonial was built as a U-shaped building on a U-shape building plan.
There was a doorknob to the basement was the only knob of its type in the entire school. The door knob also features a raised picture of a women holding the hand of a child. The child appears to be holding school books in the other hand. The women is pointing to a star located in the sky above a mountain.
The inscription reads: "BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY OF DETROIT" "Incorp'd Feb 17 1842"
The motto above the picture reads in Latin: "SICITUR AD ASTRA" which translates to "WISH UPON YOUR STAR”.
The first known recorded addition made to this school building was in 1918. No other known additions were made to this building. Hunter School was named in honor of Alex M. Hunter, President of the Navarre Board of Education in the Village of Navarre (renamed Oakwood Heights in 1918).
Hunter School had a noticeably late Slovak-American population. Many of its students came from Slovak families who spoke English as well.
From 1920 to 1922, a portion of Hunter Elementary School was used to house Hunter High School. Hunter High School was located in the northern portion of the building while Hunter Elementary School was located in the southern portion of the building. This lasted for only 2 years however. Hunter High School ended up shutting down in 1922. The northern portion of Hunter High School was restructured into an intermediate school which was called Hunter Intermediate School. Hunter Intermediate School opened in 1922 during the 1922-1923 school year.
Miss Dorothea Schaffer was president of Hunter Elementary School and Miss Margaret F. Grant was president of Hunter Intermediate School during the 1930s. Mrs. Hatchet was the librarian there for many years. (Ref: Detroit Free Press, Page 5, Friday, February 22, 1935)
John W. McCleak served as a principal at Hunter Intermediate School for seven years. (Ref: Port Huron Times Herald, Page 4, Tuesday, October 24, 1972)
The Hunter School property was structured similarly to Mackenzie School where both an elementary school and a middle school were located on the same property. A handful of schools operated by Detroit Public Schools combined elementary schools and middle schools on the same property. This was not uncommon in Detroit during the 20th century.
Throughout the 20th century, both Hunter Elementary School and Hunter Intermediate School operated on the same property for many years in Region 2. Hunter Intermediate School also operated under the name of Hunter Junior High School before becoming Hunter Middle School in 1951.
By the 1970s is when both Hunter Elementary School and Hunter Middle School became predominantly black schools. Eventually by the late 1970s and early 1980s is when both schools were all black. Its most famous alumni is Republican Party member Dr. Ben Carson and Violent J.
Both Hunter Elementary School and Hunter Middle School were shut down in 1981 by Detroit Public Schools due to a racial desegregation court order. The US Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the federal court in Detroit to institute cross-district busing in many regions including Region 1 and Region 2. This court order had black students bussed to different schools in Detroit. Those regions were predominantly black.
Detroit Public Schools closed down Hunter Middle School and Hunter Elementary School in Region 2 which sent 150 McMillan Elementary School students to Pelham Open Middle School (Pelham Middle School) instead of to Hunter Middle. Cary Elementary School students were transferred to Wilson Middle School instead of Hunter Middle. Detroit Public Schools sent Hunter Middle School students to Boynton Middle School in Region 2. (Ref: Detroit Free Press, Page 5, Tuesday, February 10, 1981)
1981 is when the on Colonial became abandoned after Detroit Public Schools made a decision to shut down the school. Hunter School was abandoned and wrecked by nature of course. Warning signs telling people to keep out were posted all over the building. There were also warning signs of dogs inside. So dogs had taken refuge inside this abandoned school overtime.
On the date of August 7, 1981 is when the Hunter School building went up for sale at a minimum price of $24,000.00. The school was sold to Courtesy Transfers Inc who wanted to turn it into a warehouse. However that never happened and the school eventually became abandoned. (Ref: Detroit Free Press, Page 45, Friday, August 7, 1981)
By the 1980s is when the Hunter School on Bayside Street became abandoned and wrecked by nature. Signs warning people to keep out were posted around the building. The Hunter School on Bayside Street was torn down and demolished not long after some people who had murdered someone in the Indian Village neighborhood tried to use it as a hideout to evade police.
The year of 1996 is when both schools were demolished leaving just empty fields. Today nothing remains of either school.
Hunter School was located at 530 Colonial, Detroit, Michigan, US 48217 and 507 Bayside Street, Detroit, Michigan, US 48217.
WENT THERE IN 1950 FOR A WHILE THEN TRANSFERRED TO HOLY CROSS IN DEL RAY FOR 8 YRS.
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Attended the school located on Colonial until I was to attend Southwestern to start 9th grade. At that time our classes were split in A and B. The original school was located down the street on Bayside. All the years we lived there, it was closed & not used.
ReplyDeleteHello. I am trying to put together the dates of when the last students attended the school on colonial. I don't think the dates on this article are accurate. what years did you attend the hunter school on colonial?
DeleteWe try to report accurately on dates. So please bear with us.
DeleteI went there from K thru 4th grade, then moved to Joy/Evergreen. My best memory was climbing up and sliding down the library fire escape (maybe a whopping 12 feet in heighth). I also remember getting a spanking from Mr. Ovshinsky(?) with his paddle that had a big O at the end.
ReplyDeleteI lived on Hunter just a few houses from the school.
I remember playing in the same fire escape, A round metal tube approximately 25-30 feet long.
DeleteThat fire escape was actually leading down from the auditorium. The library was located at the front of the building and had no fire escape. I attended school there from 1960 to 1968/9.
DeleteSorry, K-4th grade was 1958 to 1963.
ReplyDelete1981 was the last class
ReplyDeleteI was there from 1978 to 1980 Doors closed after the 81 school year.
DeleteThanks for letting us know.
DeleteMy name is Lester Stone, went to Hunter for 6yrs. before 1957. If anyone remembers me give call: (415)374-4337 or text. les7det@gmail.com. especially the girl with the same last name, who was teased for having the same last name. God Bless
ReplyDeleteI attended 7th and 8th grade there in 1963 to 1965 ...we were in the second floor hallways when we heard of the news of JFK' assassination...That I will never forget... I simply loved the Library .
ReplyDeleteAttended around 75 or 76 - Debbie Kelley. I remember having police escorts to school because of the drug dealers across from the school. A kid on my bus used to be runner for them and he was targeted. Does anyone remember if the gym had a track above the gymnasium? I moved so much and went to different schools, so I can't remember if it was Hunter or not.
ReplyDeleteI attended during the 60'S and 70's. and I do remember a track above the gymnasium.
DeleteI remember the track above the gymnasium…. It was very scary. I believe the steps were circular to get to the track. My last class there was 9b in 1970.
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I attended Hunter in kindergarten during the war and lived in the projects.
ReplyDeletei went to hunter from 3 to the ninth loved it much very
DeleteYes Hunter School had a track in the gum, I went there till 1969 .1st grade till 9th grade and Iit wasn't on Bayside Street. I never saw the door knob. I remember the art class being in the basement and the Teacher that love to spake, wit that paddle, but He wanted us to learn and good behavior was a must.
ReplyDeleteI was there during the same time!!!!
DeleteI went there 1965-66, k-1st grade. I lived on Luther Street
ReplyDeleteI lived on Annabelle Street near Visger in Southwest Detroit. Joe
ReplyDeleteI attended Hunter elementary back in the 60's and 70's. I was there from kindergarten through the eighth grade. I had some
ReplyDeletegreat teachers, Mr Hunter, Mrs Roland, and the art teacher who's name escapes me, but I do remember the art room in the basement, I believe it was just down the hall from the cafeteria. I do remember the track above the gym and the fire escape outside the library. I left hunter and went on to attend Southwestern high for a few years until my family moved out of Detroit. Some years later I visited the old neighborhood and was sad to see my old school in such a neglected state. I was just there last year and the school along with most of the neighborhood has been torn down. I guess their right when they say you can't go home again.
Went there K-8th grade 1969-1978. Think the art teachers name was either Mrs Brandon or Blandon. Something like that
DeleteYes, Mrs. Blandon was Art teacher and Mrs. Brandon was Librarian. I loved reading these comments. I went there on the 70's, I remember having to bus away to River Rouge for 1 year..and then came back. I remember the art class was in basement, just down from lunch room and the track in gym and how you had to slide unto the track to get on it, scary aways felt I was going to go under the bars and fall to bottom. I remember the large air vent when on would suck you to the wall while standing in line for lunch. I remember the smell of crayons burning on the heater in art room, super colorful. I remember my home room teacher in room 9, Mrs. NAGY, the door handle was like a huge crystal diamond. But I sure didn't like that clear horrible paddle. My family moved away in 1981 just before they were going to make me go to South Western.
DeleteOh my goodness✨I went to Hunter from 76-79. I worked in the Library and I guess that’s why I’m always reading and still be in the library researching, thanks to Ms. Brandon. So, I remember the the gym, having the track above, the teacher was the nicest. Oh, I can’t remember his name. It seem like we had two. So, Ms. Blandon the Art teacher, oh goodness, she was so classy, that was my buddy. There was Ms. Deaks, Then, Ms. Nagy I remember as well. This brings back so many memories. Thanks for sharing your post, it’s so uplifting to be reading so many beautiful thoughts
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