Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Point Of Origin
Detroit, Michigan
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, April 27, 2025
1. Point Of Origin Marker
After the fire of 1805, Judge Augustus B. Woodward was appointed to lay out a new plan for the streets, squares and lots of Detroit. Judge Woodward place his survey marker here at the center of Campus Martius creating Detroit's "Point of Origin"
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.
Location. 42° 19.894′ N, 83° 2.802′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It can be reached from the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12), on the right when traveling north. The marker and point of origin are on the ground in front of the east entrance to Parc Restaurant on the west side of Campus Martius Park. It can only be reached on foot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit MI 48226, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and 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 walking distance of this marker: The Iron Brigade / The Twenty-Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment (a few steps from this marker); Soldiers and Sailors Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Penobscot Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woodward Avenue Cultural Heritage Tour (about 400 feet
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is above a 6-foot-tall granite post buried 4 feet below ground level. This post is the historical survey marker described in the inscription. The center of the marker is partially opaque but the post is not visible through it.
Also see . . . Detroits Point of Origin gets historical showcase (Detroit News, April 30, 2018). <blockquote>The late morning sun was blazing across Campus Martius Park and jets in the parks central fountain were throwing water into the sky, but all eyes were on the ground looking into a hole where a special stone sat to mark Detroits point of origin.
On Monday, marking the 15th anniversary of the groundbreaking for Campus Martius Park, members of the Downtown Detroit Partnership unveiled a new plaza showcasing Detroits Point of Origin.
Thats the place where, after Detroits fire of 1805, surveyors under the direction of Chief Judge Augustus Woodward of the Michigan Territory placed their instruments
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, April 27, 2025
2. Inscription adjacent to the Point Of Origin
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, April 27, 2025
3. Inscription in the foreground adjacent to the Point Of Origin
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, April 27, 2025
4. Restaurant entrance immediately adjacent to the Point Of Origin Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,026 times since then and 153 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 29, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
