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Lost ship, Detroit, 1892 to 1935

Promise

Demolished in 1935

A drawing of Promise from its recorded size and style. No photo we may share has turned up yet.
Opened
1892
Torn down
1935

Designed by Frank E. Kirby

Promise stood in Detroit from 1892 until 1935. Here is what it was, who made it and where to find the spot today.

On the map

What is there now

Demolished in 1935

We have not yet found a source that says what stands on the spot today. Last looked on October 25, 2026.

The story

By Victoria Jackson, Editor in Chief Updated

Promise went up in 1892, in Detroit's Gilded Age, when stove works, shipyards and railroads made the city's first fortunes.

The design came from Frank E. Kirby.

It is gone now, demolished in 1935, and the map pin below marks where it stood.

Timeline

  1. 1892 Built Designed by Frank E. Kirby
  2. 1934 Closed
  3. 1935 Demolished
  4. 2026 Today 91 years since it came down

Where it is

On this map

  1. Promise This place
  2. Hart, Philip A., Plaza 0.1 mi
  3. Aquarama 0.1 mi
  4. UAW-Ford Joint Trusts Center 0.2 mi
  5. Ford Auditorium 0.2 mi
  6. 150 West Jefferson 0.2 mi
  7. Mariners Church 0.2 mi
  8. Renaissance Center 0.2 mi
  9. Norton Hotel (first) 0.2 mi

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

Who made it

Eastern States, by Frank E. Kirby Eastern States, by Frank E. Kirby. Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress

Architect

Frank E. Kirby

American ship designer, 1849 to 1929. Designed Eastern States (1902) and 8 more in Metro Detroit

Also by Frank E. Kirby

More from Detroit in the 1890s

Around the block

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.