Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument

Perhaps no other area of Detroit has changed more often and more drastically over the years than Campus Martius, the city center. Over the years, Old City Hall, the Majestic Building, the Pontchartrain Hotel, the Hammond Building and the Old Detroit Opera House have all come and gone. Only one landmark has outlived them all. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is among Detroit’s oldest pieces of public art and was one of the first monuments to honor Civil War veterans in the United States.
The bronze and granite sculpture was formally unveiled on April 9, 1872, though some of its statues were not added until July 18, 1881. The Classical Revival monument stands more than 60 feet tall and cost more than $ 75,000 ($ 1.3 million today) to build.
Its body is made of Rhode Island granite; its figures are cast of bronze and rest on octagonal tiers. The bottom has four screeching eagles with outstretched wings, symbolizing America and freedom. Above that are four 900-​pound statues that represent the four U.S. branches of the military: infantry, artillery, cavalry and the Marines. Behind them are bronze medallions of Civil War union leaders President Abraham Lincoln, Gen. U.S. Grant, Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and Adm. David Farragut. The next tier has four allegorical figures representing Victory, Union, History and Emancipation.
Topping off the monument is a 3,800-pound personification of a victorious Michigan as an Indian queen in a winged helmet, brandishing a sword in her right hand and a shield in her left. She depicts Michigan as being strong, proud and brave.
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Michigan, Monroe, Cadillac, Fort, and Woodward come together and at that intersection stands the Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. You’re probably driven past it hundreds of times.
There is a story behind it. It happens to be a Civil War monument, with the Native American warrior figure, Michigan, standing at the top with her sword. The monument was erected in memory of Michigan troops who fell during the war.