History of Holcomb Elementary School

Holcomb was built in 1925 under the Redford township, when it was built it was the largest of the elementary schools built in 1925 alongside Coffey and Mettetal (Later known as Ludington. While Mettetal and Coffey were built in remote parts of the township, Holcomb was built in what was then the township’s commercial and residential center. Upon opening in 1926 the school featured 13 classrooms, compared to Coffey and Mettetal’s 4 room schoolhouses. In 1926 Detroit annexed Redford Township and of the 20 schools built by Redford Township only 6 remained in the remaining part today being Redford MI, these schools included the schools mentioned before and 12 more. in 1928 Holcomb would receive it first addition adding a gymnasium and cafeteria, alongside 6 additional classrooms. At this point the school took on a L shaped design, a 1938 Detroit Board of Education report described as having “flowers, garden paths, and a miniature pool ... the advantages of the country woodside brought to a city school doorstep". In 1948 the last addition would bring the notable auditorium alongside 5 classrooms, in all Holcomb would host two enclosed courtyards, a gymnasium, and auditorium. By 1999 the student body had dropped to 600, and later 250 by 2009. In 2010 the school was closed. Within a couple years scrappers hit the school, however many areas remain in ok to good shape. In 2018 talks of converting the school in a 32 unit senior housing was in the works however nothing ever came of this.