Downtown Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Statue of Abraham Lincoln

Photographed by Al Barrera

1. Statue of Abraham Lincoln Marker

Inscription. Let man be free.

Erected 1958 by Lincoln Motor Company.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list.

Location. 42° 20.052′ N, 83° 2.829′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. It is at the intersection of Library Street and Farmer Street on Library Street. Monument, consisting of a statue of Abraham Lincoln, at the Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Detroit MI 48226, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker: L.B. King and Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Parker's Alley (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kresge Korner (about 400 feet away); The Kern Clock (about 400 feet away); Henry the Hatter (about 400 feet away); Vernor's Ginger Ale (about 600 feet away); Woodward Avenue Cultural Heritage Tour (about 700 feet away); Detroit's Underground Railway Station (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

More about this marker. The statue is a copy of one designed by Alonzo Pelzer for Lincoln, New Jersey. It was originally located at the Lincoln Motor Company plant at West Warren and Livernois in Detroit. It was a gift to Henry M. Leland, founder of the company. It was moved to its present location on April 17, 1958.

Also see . . . Abraham Lincoln, (sculpture).

This sculpture is one of six copies made. In 1915, William H. Mullins, whose foundry was located in Salem, Ohio, reproduced the Lincoln statues from the Pelzer molds and bestowed two of the statues in the Detroit area. Henry B. Joy, president of the Packard Motor
Photographed by Pat Filippone, September 26, 2015

2. Statue of Abraham Lincoln Marker
Company, received the Lincoln that now resides at Charles Howell Boy Scout Reservation in Brighton, Michigan, and Henry M. Leland, president of the Lincoln Motor Company, received this one now owned by the City of Detroit. It was originally unveiled in front of the Lincoln Motor plant in Detroit on Feb. 3, 1919. For many years, it was the focal point for wreath-laying ceremonies by the Boys Scouts and city dignitaries. After the plant closed, Wilfred Leland, son of Henry, offered it to the City of Detroit, and it was relocated to its present site in 1958. In 1969, vandals pulled the sculpture down, snapping it off at the feet. It was repaired and placed back atop its base. In 1985, a drive was launched by Neal Shine, managing editor of the Detroit Free Press, to restore "Old Abe." School children raised the major portion of the money needed for restoration, and it was rededicated on May 14, 1986.

(Submitted on September 1, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2010, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,853 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2010, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. 2. submitted on December 20, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.