School, Holcomb Community, since 1925
Holcomb Elementary School
Standing, closed
- Opened
- 1925
- Style
- Collegiate Gothic
- Standing
- 101 years
Designed by Raymond Carey and Verner, Wilhelm & Molby
Holcomb Elementary School has stood on Bentler St. in Holcomb Community since 1925, 101 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
Holcomb Elementary School today, from the street
What is there now
Standing, closed
- Closed Source: Historic Detroit
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.
The story
Holcomb Elementary School opened in 1925, during the boom years when the auto industry turned Detroit into one of the fastest growing cities in America.
The design came from Raymond Carey and Verner, Wilhelm & Molby, working in Collegiate Gothic.
Its doors are closed for now, but the building still stands.
Next time you are nearby, stop at 18100 Bentler St and look up.
Timeline
- 1925 Built Designed by Raymond Carey and Verner, Wilhelm & Molby
- 2010 Closed
- 2026 Today Standing, closed
Where it is
18100 Bentler St.
On this map
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Redford Theatre, by Verner, Wilhelm & Molby. Photo: Dave Parker, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Architect
Verner, Wilhelm & MolbyArchitecture firm. Designed the Redford Theatre (1928) and 6 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Verner, Wilhelm & Molby
- Harry W. Fauver House 1923
- Monnier Elementary School 1924
- Hubert School 1925
- St. Matthias Episcopal Church 1926
- McKerrow School 1927
- Redford Theatre 1928
More from Detroit in the 1920s
-
Buhl Building
Skyscraper, built 1925, Neo-Romanesque, by Wirt C. Rowland
Photo: I, Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Chateau Frontenac
Building, built 1925, Mediterranean, by J. Will Wilson, demolished 1999
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Belcrest Apartments
Building, built 1926, Neo-Romanesque, by Charles N. Agree
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Westin Book Cadillac Hotel
Hotel, built 1924, Neo-Renaissance, by Louis Kamper
Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Broderick Tower
Structure, built 1927, Beaux Arts, by Louis Kamper
Photo: St8fan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Cadillac Tower
Structure, built 1927, Late Gothic Revival, by Bonnah & Chaffee
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
It is in Holcomb Community. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- Holcomb Elementary School from the street today Photo: Street View, 2025
Sources
Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.