Abandoned Art Deco Catholic Girls School
The Abandoned Art Deco Catholic Girls School
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Located north of the River Raisin along West Elm Street, Saint Mary's Academy is an example showplace of the best in art Deco architecture. Architecturally, it is one of a very few such buildings so large and ornate in North America. Unfortunately, unless thare is a plan put in place by the IHM sisters and the community, the future for this historical resource looks dim.
The closed Saint Mary's Auditorium—This Facility is known for Excellent Acoustics
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Background: Why did we have a Girls Academy?
There are a variety of reasons why a boarding school is attractive only one of which is the excellent education offered at this facility. Local resists also sent their children to this facility because of the quality of education and strict discipline for which many such schools are well known. After enrolment of the school shown above became insufficient to compete with our public school system and Charter schools, the school closed. Today the building stands empty and deteriorating with no alternative use in sight.
With the closing of this huge facility, the nuns were faced with the high cost of heating their smaller residence to the west the motherhouse with natural gas or coal. A wise savings in campus mowing cost which saves motor fuel is allowing a natural prairie to develop. Burning about every two years as the Indians did the western prairies is required. This meadow provides needed instruction for area school children and older citizens as well in what is required to sustain such an ecosystem.
A closer view of the Abandoned Art Decco Catholic Girls School
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This abandoned art deco girl’s school is in need of a new use to save it from ultimate demolition. This structure is considered taller than any downtown structure with the possible exception of the new Monroe Band & Trust headquarters in downtown Monroe.
The land that the IHM Nuns wish developed with a tax incentive to enhance their retirement needs is well behind this structure and extends form Elm Street to Cole Road dividing the northern half of the city with no east west passage between Cole and Elm.
Enterence To The Motherhouse Located West of the Abandoned Girls School
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Wide View of The Motherhouse
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The Confusing Mother House Heating and Cooling System
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