Welcome to The Spirit of Detroit, a symbol of Detroit for over 60 years. It is one of the most iconic symbols of the city. Take a moment to enjoy the area and fulfill the one requirement to claim this virtual geocache. Some history and facts about the statue can be found after the logging requirement information on this cache page.
Logging Requirement Fine Print
There are two ways to log this virtual geocache. Both require a photograph. Choose either option 1 or 2. It is the geocacher's responsibility to read, choose, and implement one of the two possible methods in order to log this geocache. Prepare ahead of time if needed. Failure to be prepared and/or FULLY meet the logging requirement will result in the geocacher’s log being deleted. There will not be any warning of deletion. There will not be any exceptions to either requirement. The geocache owner will not wait for the photograph to be posted or reposted later, after the log is posted. No geocacher is required to find this geocache. If a geocacher does not like the methods available to log this geocache, then don't log it. Previous variations to either requirement that I allowed are no longer acceptable.
Logging Requirement (Pick One)
A photograph is required for logging this geocache with either option. This is intended to be a single, easy, straightforward task. Creativity is encouraged.
- Take a photograph with The Spirit of Detroit at the posted waypoint (brick sidewalk area in front of the statue / within 100'). In the photograph must be a substantially reconginzable, unobscured/unobstructed portion of the face of the geocacher (not Photoshopped) (the FULL face is highly recommended) and The Spirit of Detroit. Post the photograph with the log on Geocaching.com.
- Make a sign with the geocacher’s geocaching name. “Sign” will be very broadly interpreted. (Essentially, the geocacher's name on something.) Take a photograph of the sign with The Spirit of Detroit at the posted waypoint (brick sidewalk area in front of the statue / within 100'). The geocaching name on the sign must be identifiable/recognizable and easily readable in the photograph.
Accessing The Spirit of Detroit
The Spirit of Detroit is located at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, on the northeast corner of Woodward Ave. and The Lodge (M10), although it is usually referred to as Jefferson Ave. here. There is some street parking within a couple blocks to the north. Sidewalks are available. Woodward Ave. has been closed to cars and open for pedestrian traffic on the block near the statue. It is highly suggested to not try to get this virtual geocache during festivals at Hart Plaza, if a geocacher is not attending the festival. The Spirit of Detroit is available 24 hours a day 365(6) days a year.
History of The Spirit of Detroit
In 1955, Marshall Fredericks was commissioned by the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority to create a sculpture for the city to represent hope, progress, and the “spirit of man.” The bronze was cast in Oslo, Norway, and covered with acid to oxidize the metal, giving it a green hue. When work was complete, the statue was wrapped in protective fabric, surrounded by a supportive framework and loaded face down onto a German freighter for its journey from Oslo to Detroit.
The Spirit of Detroit was dedicated in 1958, and carried a final cost of $58,000. The work immediately became an iconic statue representing the city. Located at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Woodward Avenue, at the time it was built the 26-foot sculpture was reportedly the largest cast bronze statue since the Renaissance. The statue’s left hand grips a gilded sphere emanating rays that symbolizes divinity, while its right hand holds a family, which symbolizes all human relationships. Fredericks sought a consensus from representatives of several different religious groups when designing the divine aspect of the work. On the wall behind the sculpture the inscription from 2 Corinthians 3:17 reads: “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,” along with the seals of both the City of Detroit and Wayne County. The inscribed plaque in front of the statue reads: “The artist expresses the concept that God, through the spirit of man, is manifested in the family, the noblest human relationship.”
-Detroit Historical Society’s Encyclopedia of Detroit
Detroit Sports
In 1997, the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. In celebration, The Spirit of Detroit was dressed in a Red Wings sweater. Since then, the statue has worn a few different team jerseys. It has also worn other items such as t-shirts and even a tuxedo. Due to potential damage, the statue only wears a team’s jersey if the team wins a national championship and a $25,000 donation is made for the statue’s preservation.
While the local government uses The Spirit of Detroit on many logos, the Detroit City Football Club has made The Spirit of Detroit a central part of its crest.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.