Nellie Leland School, Historic school building in Detroit, United States.
Nellie Leland School is a three-story brick building located at 1395 Antietam Avenue that blends Tudor and Neoclassical architectural styles. The structure features solid brick construction with detailed architectural details that define its appearance and character.
The building was constructed in 1917 on the site of the former Detroit Barracks, where Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant was stationed from 1849 to 1851. Its construction marked a shift in how Detroit approached education for children with physical disabilities.
The school served as Detroit's first public institution built specifically for children with physical disabilities, featuring specialized classrooms designed to meet their needs. This focus on accessibility shaped how the building was organized and used by the community.
The building is well-structured with various access features since it was designed with accessibility in mind from the start. Today it serves as a residential loft space rather than an active school, so visitors should check ahead before planning a visit.
The building contains original wheelchair ramps and an elevator from 1920 that represent early examples of accessible design. These structural features were revolutionary for their time and show how thoughtfully the building was planned for users with mobility challenges.
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