Marshall Elementary School
1203 E State Fair Ave, Detroit, MI 48203
-Abandoned 2008
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History of Marshall Elementary School
Marshall Elementary was built in 1928 and opened in 1929, the school would have a addon just two years into being open as Detroit’s population grew into the 1930s. This addition would bring the student capacity to 1,750 students. During WWII blood banks were run by staff members in the school and made bandages for the Red Cross. Marshall was one of the first schools to integrate races in Detroit, and also one of two school that tested a pilot program for a single sex education system. Into the early 2000s the student population sat at 740 in 2003, by the year it closed in 2008 it sat at 446. Detroit Public Schools sold the school to the City of Detroit in 2015.
Recollection from the author
Marshall Elementary was one of the more nicer schools but only in certain areas. The Auditorium still in very good shape was a sight to see with a perfectly intact stage. The gym though decayed allowed a very unique shot not possible in locations with the holes in the roof. Other parts of the school were trashed and done for especially on the second floor where water had taken over the floor. Amazingly the first floor hadn’t felt this damage just yet. Another thing of note that was cool about the school was the unique colored walls and lockers. I’m not a fan of the yellow top sections of hallway walls found in some Detroit Public Schools, such as found in Burt Elementary or Mason Elementary. This teal like color mixed with a brick bottom was a welcomed addition to see after only seeing those yellow walls.
1st floor hallway
Many classrooms remain well lit due to VPS boards on the outside of the school
Kindergarten room shot 1
Kindergarten room shot 2 (Tile basin)
Kindergarten room shot 3 (tile basin in room)
many sections of the hallways have gates that looked to have been closed and possibly locked at closure
Vandals have pushed their way through the gates
Wet floor sign on the ground
The hallway are lined with a nice teal over brick bottom
The gymnasium a unique scene with holes in the ceiling in one corner
gymnasium shot 2
gymnasium shot 3 (like courville elementary the windows of the gym are rounded)
gymnasium shot 4 (a fallen basketball rim)
gymnasium shot 5 (Record Board)
gymnasium shot 6 (Far shot of roof damage)
gymnasium shot 7 (roof damage with windows to the side)
gymnasium shot 8 (Closeup of roof damage adding to a unique scene
Many elements of wall paint on the first floor remain very much intact
A clock fixture remains in place commonly found in abandoned Detroit Public Schools
Display case
banner left to decay
staircase left to decay
Auditorium shot 1 (A fully intact stage)
Auditorium shot 2 (Seating area with projection room above)
Stage right side
Stage left side
Roof damage above left side stage
The projection room does not feature any seating on the upper level
Architectural details on the sides of the stage shot 1
Architectural details on the sides of the stage shot 2
Architectural details on the sides of the stage shot 3
Some gates in the hallways have been completely removed
One of the classrooms
another nearby classroom has had its board removed
The short hallway on the 1st floor
basement level labeled in demolition markings as "tunnel access"
Basement shot 1
Basement shot 2 (Boiler room access hallway)
Basement shot 3 (boiler room hallway)
Basement shot 4 (Boiler room access flooded over)
Basement shot 5 (other pipes in the basment
Basement shot 6 (More pipes in another hallway in the basement)
Another hallway on the first floor
Information board
Ronald McDonald makes a appearance in the form of a sticker on one of the classroom doors
Some hallways remain dark due to lack of windows
2nd floor hallway
Much of the 2nd floor has decayed beyond repair
In the winter the water has frozen over
Water leaks through the lockers
Massive puddles of water have leaked onto the 2nd floor hallway
The water has led to massive ceiling damage
This ceiling section nearby to a staircase has nearby all collapsed
Some classrooms have began to warp but not as bad as some schools we have documented
Side room next to staircase likely a utility room
Green paint lines a probably once beautiful staircase
2nd floor hallway with water damage wide shot
newer exit signs are present on the wall likely a later addition to the school before closing
Ceiling collapse
Another staircase on the second floor in very poor shape
Cafeteria area shot 1
Cafeteria area shot 2 (Serving area)
Cafeteria area shot 3
Cafeteria area shot 4 (Stickers on the ground in cafe)
Textbook left behind titled "Science Anytime"
Another shot of a 2nd floor hallway
Room 205 with numbers still intact
One of the classrooms on the second floor
staircase nearest to courtyard