The Spirit of Detroit is Omnipresent

[TusharSuradkar]

The Spirit of Detroit is an iconic 26-foot-tall, 60-ton bronze statue located at a prominent place in downtown Detroit.

This iconic bronze figure is holding a glowing orb, emanating rays in the left hand, symbolizing divinity.

While its right hand holds a family group, which symbolizes all human relationships.

This captivating statue actually has a place on the attraction map of Detroit.

It is photogenic, with a nice view of the Renaissance Center in the distance.

During hockey season, they dress this status with the Red Wings uniform, which is their local hockey team.

This sculpture is a great depiction of the life of the people of Detroit and their strength and resilience.

I visited here 3 times - in 2008, 2019, and recently in June 2025.

This beautiful monument was done by the sculptor Marshall Fredericks back in 1955.

The cost of erection of this statue was $58,000, about $500,000 today.

The Detroit People Mover Train is seen passing in the background. I waited for about 5 minutes, steady and ready with my camera for this shot

The Spirit of Detroit symbol is an insignia for the city and is used at various places.

Here’s, for example, a bus stop near Kern’s Clock.

It is seen on the Detroit city bus as well.

The emblem appears on recycling trash bins

The insignia appears on the concrete tiles along sidewalks and at the entrances of many buildings

The Spirit of Detroit insignia appears on sewage covers, too, if you keep your head low and watch your steps as you walk on the sidewalk foot path in Detroit.

I even saw these before most sports games on television in Detroit.

Besides that, I saw this statue pictured and printed on many city pamphlets, tour guides, etc.

Have you seen a unique sculpture that represents a city?

How to Reach

Read how to reach downtown Detroit from the airport.

Where to Eat

Try the coney hot dog at the American Coney Island.

Detroit Attractions and Things to Do

1. Visit the Corner Public Clock above Fresh Mex.
2. Visit places that appear in Hollywood movies.
3. Visit the Kern’s Clock - a landmark iconic clock tower in Detroit.
4. Explore the Street Art in Detroit
5. Visit the Minimalistic Art - Clock Tower on Michigan Avenue.

[Rahul001]

Wells that’s an unique statue representing the city @TusharSuradkar .
I think in Kerala, we have two symbol representing our city: one being when Maharaja ruled & other government came. Both can be seen nowadays throughout city. I will post here soon!

[marcorp]

@TusharSuradkar very nice post, love the statue and wha it represents for the city of Detroit

[MathanVibranarayan]

@TusharSuradkar sir this is really stunning, I could realize size only after seeing you standing near the statue. Your perspective of the statue in the cityscape background along with the metro is truly appreciable.

[MariaNgo]

@TusharSuradkar Spirit of Detroit. How fascinating. Thanks for sharing those well captured photos. And your patience waiting for the right moment of the train in the background. That really impressed me. You’re a true photographer!
I find it interesting also that the people chose a verse from the Bible to use in this monument.
2 Corinthians 3:17: “Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

[SayliWalve]

Such a unique sculpture
What does it represent? @TusharSuradkar

[SarathUpendran]

An amazing post @TusharSuradkar ji…Your words truly capture the essence of the city

[Yulochka]

@TusharSuradkar Мрію одного дня побачити цю неймовірну статую! “Дух Детройта” вражає змістом і виглядом — справжній символ міста.

[TusharSuradkar]

I think in the US, they often erect and select some prominent physical structure as the emblem of cities and states @Rahul001

Another example is the Statue of Unity, which is synonymous with New York.

I think we should also adopt something modern, though we already have this tradition as in:

Dhaka = Dhakeshwari Devi
Mumbai = Mumba Devi

[TusharSuradkar]

Thank you, dear @MathanVibranarayan
Yes, I too had seen only the photos before going there.
But the real scale of the monument is bewildering

[TusharSuradkar]

Thank you for the appreciation @MariaNgo

Also, thanks a lot for the full verse that appears only partially behind the statue.
Had I known this before, I would have loved to walk around and take a photo with the full verse readable.

The early settlers in Detroit were Church-going people.
You will be surprised to know that I found a pub in Detroit that was previously a Church. I will write a post about it soon.

[TusharSuradkar]

Yes, its design is unique @SayliWalve
This is an emblem or insignia of the City of Detroit.

This iconic bronze figure is holding a glowing orb, emanating rays in the left hand.
This symbolized divinity.

While its right hand holds a family group, which symbolizes all human relationships.

[TusharSuradkar]

Thank you, dear @SarathUpendran for the generous praise and appreciation for the post

[TusharSuradkar]

Thank you @Yulochka
I sincerely wish your dream comes true and you travel to Detroit to explore its many wonders

[fachrie230]

A beautiful post about Detroit @TusharSuradkar, city icon everywhere.
Thanks for sharing

[TusharSuradkar]

Thanks for the appreciation @fachrie230

[MariaNgo]

@TusharSuradkar
Perhaps you might get an opportunity to visit Detroit again. Then you can walk around it to see the whole verse.

Church into pub.
That sounds like an interesting story.

I’ve heard of churches starting in pubs too and cinema centers.

[curatorofmemory]

@TusharSuradkar . What a unique branding idea. Wish we had a similar initiative here for some of our cities. I like your pic with train in background. The green colour is adding to the overall effect

[MohanG]

@TusharSuradkar
Amazing post

[Annaelisa]

Fantastische Beschreibung von diesem Denkmal von Detroit @TusharSuradkar
Die Bilder sind wunderbar.
Obwohl das Denkmal so lange steht sieht es sehr gut und gepflegt aus und bekommt öfter andere T-Shirt.