Grand Circus Park

From From The Ashes Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search

The Grand Circus Park Historic District, along with Broadway, Park and Washington Avenues Historic Districts, is at the heart of Downtown Detroit. It is bordered by the Lodge Freeway to the west, the Fisher Freeway to the north, Interstate 375 (The Chrysler Spur) to the east, and the Campus Martius Park to the south. The city's main thoroughfare, Woodward Avenue, links Downtown to Midtown. Gratiot Avenue separates Greektown from Ford Field and Comerica Park. The downtown area contains historic architecture and a number of prominent skyscrapers.

Grand Circus Park is the heart of the district. The half-moon shaped park is divided down its center by Woodward Avenue, with Park Avenue and Witherell Street forming the west and east necklaces around the park. The Alger Fountain anchors the eastern half and is capped on its northwestern edge with a statue of mayor William Cotter Maybury. Its western half is anchored by the Edison Fountain and capped on its northeastern edge with a statue of mayor Hazen Pingree.

The "Spirit of Detroit," a 25 feet tall bronze statue, now green with verdigris, is located at the Courts Tower's marble wall element. In its left hand, the large seated figure holds a gilt bronze sphere emanating rays to symbolize God. The people in the figure's right hand are a family group.