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Statue of General Alexander Macomb, Detroit
The Statue of General Alexander Macomb is a monumental tribute located in Detroit, dedicated to one of the city's notable historical figures. Created by sculptor Adolph Alexander Weinman, the bronze statue was unveiled on September 11, 1908, to commemorate Alexander Macomb, a Detroit native and prominent military leader who served as the Commanding General of the United States Army from 1828 to 1841. The dedication date aligns with the anniversary of the Battle of Plattsburgh, a key conflict in the War of 1812 where Macomb's leadership earned him a Congressional Gold Medal.
The monument features a 9-foot-tall bronze statue of General Alexander Macomb in his War of 1812 uniform, with a hat and wind-blown cape, standing atop a 7-foot pink granite pedestal engraved with his name and military honors. The pedestal is adorned with oak and laurel wreaths and rests on a 30-foot circular concrete platform with granite steps, a rear parapet, and bronze cannons from the War of 1812 at three edges.
Born in Detroit in 1782, Macomb gained prominence for his military career, particularly in the Battle of Plattsburgh. After he died in 1841, his legacy faded until this statue was commissioned in 1908. In recent years, the statue has faced criticism for Macomb's ties to slavery and Native American mistreatment and was vandalized during the 2020 George Floyd protests amid reevaluations of historical figures.
Despite the criticisms, the Statue of General Alexander Macomb remains a significant part of Detroit's historical landscape, highlighting the city's connection to national events and military history. It continues to serve as a reminder of both Macomb's contributions and the evolving perspectives on historical commemoration.
The monument features a 9-foot-tall bronze statue of General Alexander Macomb in his War of 1812 uniform, with a hat and wind-blown cape, standing atop a 7-foot pink granite pedestal engraved with his name and military honors. The pedestal is adorned with oak and laurel wreaths and rests on a 30-foot circular concrete platform with granite steps, a rear parapet, and bronze cannons from the War of 1812 at three edges.
Born in Detroit in 1782, Macomb gained prominence for his military career, particularly in the Battle of Plattsburgh. After he died in 1841, his legacy faded until this statue was commissioned in 1908. In recent years, the statue has faced criticism for Macomb's ties to slavery and Native American mistreatment and was vandalized during the 2020 George Floyd protests amid reevaluations of historical figures.
Despite the criticisms, the Statue of General Alexander Macomb remains a significant part of Detroit's historical landscape, highlighting the city's connection to national events and military history. It continues to serve as a reminder of both Macomb's contributions and the evolving perspectives on historical commemoration.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Detroit. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Statue of General Alexander Macomb on Map
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Sight Name: Statue of General Alexander Macomb
Sight Location: Detroit, USA (See walking tours in Detroit)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Detroit, USA (See walking tours in Detroit)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Detroit, Michigan
Create Your Own Walk in Detroit
Creating your own self-guided walk in Detroit is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Midtown Detroit Walking Tour
Midtown Detroit is a mixed-use area consisting of a business district, cultural center, a major research university, and several residential neighborhoods, located along the east and west side of Woodward Avenue. Most of all, it is a cultural epicenter with numerous activities huddled in one place, especially when it comes to museums, restaurants, and bars.
Start your journey with the Wayne... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Start your journey with the Wayne... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Monuments Tour
Detroit is known for having many monuments and statues to great personalities that are scattered across the city.
Did you know that the monument commemorating the “freedom fighter for two continents”, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, is actually replica of the monument standing by Wawel castle in Krakow, Poland? Another featured military figure, Gen. Alexander Macomb, was a hero in the War of 1812 and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Did you know that the monument commemorating the “freedom fighter for two continents”, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, is actually replica of the monument standing by Wawel castle in Krakow, Poland? Another featured military figure, Gen. Alexander Macomb, was a hero in the War of 1812 and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Downtown Detroit Walking Tour
Detroit is Michigan's largest city, Wyne County's seat, and the biggest city on the United States border with Canada. Its location on the Detroit River, proximity to the Great Lakes, and proximity to Canada have helped secure this city as a major trading area over its long history. The city is also famous as the home of Motown.
European settlement in the 17th century began with the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
European settlement in the 17th century began with the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles