Located at the south end of Washington Boulevard near where it crosses Michigan Avenue, this marker…read morepoints out some of the history of the War of 1812 that passed through. The marker was erected in 2019 by the Michigan Historical Commission and the Michigan History Center. It is marker number S0242. On the front, it reads "On June 18, 1812, the United States Congress declared war on Great Britain. William Hull, Michigan's first territorial governor, was selected to lead the U.S. army at Detroit. He invaded Canada on July 12, but soon lost battles south of Detroit and withdrew. On August 16, 1812, the British attacked Fort Detroit. Hull surrendered. Britain governed the city under martial law until Oliver Hazard Perry gained control of the upper Great Lakes in September 1813. American forces returned to Detroit and launched a successful invasion of Canada. The citizens of Detroit lived in an uneasy peace until they learned, on February 20, 1815, of the December 24, 1814, signing of the Treaty of Ghent. On March 29 they celebrated the war's end with a "Grand Pacification Ball."" And on the reverse, "In reaction to Oliver Hazard Perry's Lake Erie victory, the British withdrew from Detroit on September 26, 1813, setting fire to the buildings within the fort and the Citadel. Three days later, United States troops returned to a city that lacked housing and food supplies. A disease, probably cholera, broke out among the soldiers. By December 1, 1813, an estimated 1,300 of them were ill. The medical supplies were soon depleted; conditions worsened. When coffins became unobtainable, many soldiers were buried in a common grave at this site. Some 700 may have died before the epidemic finally ran its course. This grave site was identified in 1987 during an archaeological survey for the People Mover that found four burials associated with the War of 1812." There is metered parking. The marker is in a linear park that takes up the center of the wide boulevard for a few blocks. It's a peaceful small oasis in the city. [Review 956 of 2025 - 441 in Michigan - 24511 overall]

This marker is mounted on the wall of the Hotel Indigo at the intersection of Washington and…read moreMichigan. It points out the history of the roadway here. The marker reads, "The Great Sauk Trail, the most important Indian trail in the Great Lakes region, was used later by French explorers, fur traders, missionaries, and soldiers. After the 1760's the trail became a major road for British and American travelers. In the early 1800's, when a military road was needed to connect Detroit with Fort Dearborn (Chicago), Territorial Governor Lewis Cass and Father Gabriel Richard, an influential legislator, were leading supporters of the Great Sauk Trail route. With federal backing the road was surveyed in 1825 and built in 1829-36. Many sections of the road were paved with huge oak logs, covered with a layer of dirt. Even before the road was improved, land-hungry settlers moved west from Detroit via the Chicago Road (now called Michigan Avenue)." In the 1830s, the Chicago Road became a major artery for westward migration. Thousands of pioneer families used the road to settle southern Michigan, avoiding the long and treacherous boat journey around the Lower Peninsula. Despite its challenges as a primitive road, it became a lifeline for commerce and communication. Stagecoach lines like the Western Stage Company ran regular service by 1835, and towns sprang up along its path. Today, much of the original route survives as US Highway 12, with historical markers dotting the landscape from Detroit to Bronson and beyond. It is marker number S280 and was erected in 1966 by the Michigan History Division, Department of State. There is metered parking nearby. [Review 978 of 2025 - 458 in Michigan - 24532 overall]

This marker is located in front of a classic looking building that was formerly the Central High…read moreSchool. It points out the history of the university that is now based here. The marker reads, "Here in the Central High building, completed in 1896, was founded in 1917 Detroit Junior College, from which grew a college of liberal arts. It united with other colleges, some begun here and some bearing notable histories in other parts of the city, to form a municipal institution, which in 1934 was named Wayne University. The oldest college, that of medicine, began in 1868. Wayne, with its ten colleges and schools, was sustained by the people of Detroit through their board of education until 1956, when it became a state university." Wayne State University is Michigan's third-largest university and has more than 8000 graduate and nearly 17,000 undergraduate students. Graduates include news anchor Hugh Downs, radio host Casey Kasem, former White House correspondent Helen Thomas, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, actor Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), actress Della Reese, actor Tom Sizemore, and actress Lily Tomlin. It's a big deal. There is some metered street parking here if you'd like to stop and appreciate "Old Main" and this historical marker. [Review 17961 overall - 357 in Michigan - 1482 of 2022.]

Unveiled in 1921, the fountain is a tribute to one of Michigan's most influential figures. Alger, a…read moreCivil War general, lumber baron, and railroad magnate, also served as Governor of Michigan, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of War under President McKinley. The monument is a collaboration between two artistic giants: Daniel Chester French, the sculptor behind the Lincoln Memorial's seated figure, and Henry Bacon, its architect. French created a seven-foot bronze allegorical figure representing the state of Michigan, with one hand raised in greeting and the other holding a sword and shield bearing the state crest. The granite pedestal features a bas-relief portrait of Alger surrounded by laurel, and lion heads serve as water spouts into the surrounding bowl. It was cast by the Gorham Manufacturing Company and installed two years later. Though the statue suffered vandalism in the 1970s--with its sword and plaque stolen--restoration efforts in 1997 replaced the missing elements, preserving this Beaux-Arts masterpiece as a lasting symbol of civic pride and artistic excellence. Wading in the fountain isn't allowed and on a hot day, it might have been fun. Still, a pretty fountain and a great tribute to a great man. Note that this is the fountain on the EAST side of Grand Circus. There is another fountain on the WEST side. [Review 966 of 2025 - 448 in Michigan - 24520 overall]

This is a beautiful building with an excellent location in downtown Detroit.  I am looking forward…read moreto the redevelopment of this building in particular, or, in worse case scenario, whatever ends up here.  There is plenty of parking.  It is easy on and off to three major freeways.  The utilities in the area are first rate and being put in to a world class state.  The building is classically built with large emblazoned letters on it announcing 'Loyal Order of Moose'.  If you are looking for a great place to settle your office or set up a branch over the next few years this is an opportunity not to be missed. "This building opened in 1922 and was designed by the firm Baxter, O'Dell & Halpin. The building has been vacant for decades, including 10 years under ownership of the Ilitch family, which paid $1.5 million for it in February 2007. In 1994, there were plans to turn the lodge into a nightclub, but that idea never came to fruition. In August 2017, Olympia Development of Michigan filed with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality a document calling for asbestos cleanup at the 45,000-square-foot building noting that it was headed for rehab."

This is a small park at a busy intersection, nevertheless, is it a very powerful place to visit…read more  There are plenty of places to eat within walking distance.  Parking is available at the MGM Grand and other nearby locations including on the street within walking distance.  It has been planted with trees that surround this imposing statue of our Revolutionary War Hero General Thaddeus Kosciuszko. This cast statue is the work of the Warsaw-bornItalian-Polish sculptor, Leonard Marconi. It was cast in 1889 for the groundsof the Wawel Castle in Krakow. To honor Detroit on the bicentennial of the United States, the city of Krakow had the statue cast and then donated it tothe city. Sculptor: Leonard Marconi Date of original casting: 1889 Date of the establishment of this copy: 1978 Materials: Granite and bronze Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko (Andrew Thaddeus Bonaventure Kosciuszko was a Polish-Lithuanian military engineer, statesman, and military leader who became a national hero in Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and the United States. He fought in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's struggles against Russia and Prussia, and on the U.S. side in the American Revolutionary War. As Supreme Commander of the Polish National Armed Forces, he led the 1794 Kościuszko Uprising.

This marker stands on the east side of Campus Martinus Park where it meets up with Michigan Avenue…read more When I saw it, it was a little back in the landscaping, and I had to pull back some of it to read it in its entirety. It points out the history of one of Michican infantry units from the Civil War. The front reads, "The Iron Brigade. The Iron Brigade became one of the most celebrated military units of the American Civil War (1861-1865). It was composed of five volunteer infantry regiments (2nd, 6th & 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana, and 24th Michigan) and Battery B, 4th U.S. Artillery. These men ranked among the most gallant and effective of the Union Army. Wearing distinctive black hats, they were easily recognized by friend and foe alike. U.S.-12 (Michigan/Woodward Ave.) is named the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway in their honor. "The Iron Brigade was given its nickname by General George B. McClellan as he witnessed them stand like "iron" against the enemy in Turner's Gap at the Battle of South Mountain, Maryland, September 14, 1862. They served in all major engagements of the Army of the Potomac. "Iron Brigade casualties ranked among the highest of the war. The 2nd Wisconsin suffered the greatest percentage loss of the entire Union Army, the 7th Wisconsin had more men killed in battle than any other Union regiment, and the 24th Michigan sustained the greatest numerical loss of all Union regiments involved at Gettysburg." The reverse reads, "Twenty-Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Events on Detroit's Campus Martius spurred the patriotic citizenry to raise a special regiment from this area and so the 24th Michigan Infantry mustered into U.S. service on August 15, 1862, numbering 1,030 men. The "24th" was also known as, "The Detroit and Wayne County Regiment," as enlistments totalled 428 from the city and 479 from the townships. Commanded by Colonel Henry A. Morrow (Recorder's Court Judge), these volunteer soldiers became part of the famous Iron Brigade and first distinguished themselves, under enemy fire, at the battle of Fredericksburg. Virginia. They fought at Chancellorsville and in three other engagements before Gettysburg -- where they entered the battle with 496 men. After the first day's fight, only 99 men remained with their flag. The sacrifice of the 24th Michigan and the Iron Brigade helped slow the Confederate advance upon Gettysburg and allowed Federal forces to gain a position for victory. "The 24th Michigan struggled through 14 more battles, including the siege of Petersburg, Virginia. On May 4, 1865 the "Detroit and Wayne County Regiment" served as funeral escort for President Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. The 24th Michigan Infantry mustered out and disbanded at Detroit on June 30, 1865." The marker was erected in 1995 by Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. [Review 697 of 2025 - 404 in Michigan - 24258 overall]

Located on the Riverfront between Hart Plaza and the actual Detroit River, this sculpture faces…read moreCanada. It commemorates the city's role as a major terminal in the Underground Railroad. Created by artist Ed Dwight and unveiled in 2001, the memorial features a dramatic bronze tableau of eight freedom seekers and conductor George DeBaptiste, pointing toward Canada. It symbolizes hope, resistance, and the perilous journey to liberation across the Detroit River. The 10-by-12-foot bronze sculpture also includes quilt square engravings referencing the myth of "freedom quilts" and a lantern motif etched into the base. The memorial honors the diverse coalition - African Americans, white allies, and Native Americans - who helped thousands escape slavery, and it marks Detroit's historic code name in the Underground Railroad: Midnight Created by Ed Dwight, a renowned sculptor known for memorializing African American history, it was unveiled on October 20, 2001 as part of Detroit's tricentennial celebration. On the Canadian side, Windsor hosts a companion sculpture called Tower of Freedom, also by Ed Dwight, reinforcing the shared legacy of resistance and refuge between the two cities. Maybe next time, I'll cross over and check it out. [Review 710 of 2025 - 415 in Michigan - 24270 overall]