Was it a fire or declining enrollment that truly extinguished the spirit of Cooley High School? Standing here at the intersection of Hubbell Avenue and Chalfonte Street, one can’t help but ponder the fate of this abandoned institution. Cooley High School opened its doors on September 4, 1928. Its Mediterranean Revival-style architecture was meant to inspire.
Named after Thomas M. Cooley, a distinguished jurist and former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, the school was built to serve a growing population. Cooley High quickly became a cornerstone of Detroit’s northwest side. The initial years were marked by incredible expansion. Student numbers soared from 1,570 in 1928 to 3,750 in 1932. Imagine the bustling hallways and the vibrant energy of a school teeming with students.
Cooley High School offered a diverse range of extracurricular activities. Fencing, table tennis, and even speed skating were available. The Cardinals of Cooley High excelled in many sports. They consistently achieved top rankings in city leagues. The Cooley Cardinal football team had an undefeated season in 1932. They were the Metropolitan League Northern Division Champions. Several players were selected for the Detroit News All-Metropolitan Team.
In 1941, Coach Herb Smith led the Cooley Cardinals to a 9-0-1 record. Michigan sportswriters awarded Cooley High with a consensus state championship. Milt Pappas, a future Major League Baseball All-Star, led Cooley to consecutive Metropolitan League Baseball Championships in 1956 and 1957. Pappas pitched a no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs in 1972.
From 1954 to 1964, Cooley football teams were a dominant force. They had an impressive winning percentage of 81. Abe Eliowitz and Roger Parmentier guided Cooley’s football program to great heights. Eliowitz was an All-American footballer at Michigan State University. Parmentier’s winning percentage remains the best in DPSSAL football history.
Harold Lindsay’s swimming and diving program won five consecutive DPSSAL crowns. William “Bill” Jennison set a national high school record in the 100-yard butterfly. He competed at the 1964 US Olympic Trials. Cooley High School’s basketball program also saw great success. The Cardinals were DPSSAL champions in 1973. Coach Ben Kelso led the Cardinals to three consecutive Michigan High School Athletic Association Championship titles from 1987 to 1989.
However, by 1997, student enrollment had declined sharply. It went from 3,400 in 1983 to just 1,400. Despite renovations and improvements, Cooley High School closed its doors in June 2010. Budget constraints and low enrollment were the reasons. On September 30, 2017, a fire severely damaged the auditorium.
Cooley High School was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 12, 2011. Cooley’s legacy lives on through its notable alumni. Mike Ilitch, founder of Little Caesars Pizza. James P. Hoffa, former President of the International Teamsters Union. S. Epatha Merkerson, the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress. The stories of Cooley High School echo in the hearts of those who walked its halls. Though abandoned, the spirit of the Cardinals remains a part of Detroit’s history.