Monument, Detroit, since 1929
Edison Memorial Fountain
Standing and open
- Dedicated
- 1929
- Standing
- 97 years
The Edison Memorial Fountain has stood on Woodward Ave. in Detroit since 1929, 97 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
What is there now
Standing and open
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.
The story
In 1929, during the boom years when the auto industry turned Detroit into one of the fastest growing cities in America, the Edison Memorial Fountain was dedicated.
It is still open, and still part of daily life in the city.
Next time you are nearby, stop at 1601 Woodward Ave and look up.
Timeline
- 1929 Dedicated
- 2026 Today 97 years and still standing
Where it is
1601 Woodward Ave.
On this map
- 1 Edison Memorial Fountain This place
- 2 David Whitney Building 130 ft
- 3 Broderick Tower 140 ft
- 4 Grand Circus Park Historic District 140 ft
- 5 Himelhoch's Building 170 ft
- 6 Bleu Detroit (Telenews Theatre) 210 ft
- 7 Fisher Arcade 250 ft
- 8 United Foundation Building 280 ft
- 9 Grinnell Brothers Music House 300 ft
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
More from Detroit in the 1920s
-
Ambassador Bridge
Structure, built 1929, by Jonathan Jones
Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
David Stott Building
Skyscraper, built 1929, Art Deco, by John Donaldson
Photo: Einar Einarsson Kvara aka Carptrash, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Brodhead Naval Armory
Building, built 1930, Art Deco/Art Moderne, by Stratton & Hyde
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Cooley High School
School, built 1928, Mediterranean Revival, by Donaldson & Meier, demolished 2026
Photo: Chuckjav, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Broderick Tower
Structure, built 1927, Beaux Arts, by Louis Kamper
Photo: St8fan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Cadillac Tower
Structure, built 1927, Late Gothic Revival, by Bonnah & Chaffee
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
-
David Whitney Building
Hotel, built 1915, Beaux Arts, by Graham, Burnham & Co.
Photo: St8fan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
130 ft
-
Broderick Tower
Structure, built 1927, Beaux Arts, by Louis Kamper
Photo: St8fan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
140 ft
-
Grand Circus Park Historic District
Building
Photo: Mikerussell at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
140 ft
- Himelhoch's Building Building, built 1902, Beaux Arts, by Donaldson & Meier 170 ft
- Bleu Detroit (Telenews Theatre) Theater, built 1942, by Cyril Schley 210 ft
- Fisher Arcade Building, built 1912, by Albert Kahn 250 ft
- United Foundation Building Building, built 1916 280 ft
-
Grinnell Brothers Music House
Built 1908, Chicago School
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
300 ft
Sources
Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.