Joe Louis Memorial, Detroit

Joe Louis Memorial, Detroit

The Joe Louis Memorial is one of Detroit's most iconic sites. With its nickname "The Fist," this sculpture has a prominent place in Hart Plaza, making it one of the city's most popular attractions. Robert Graham designed to sculpture, while Rolf Kriken was the bronze artist responsible for the pouring.

This sculpture features an arm featuring 24 feet long. A 24-foot high pyramid-style framework supports a replica of Joe Louis' fist. The fist is an effective symbol highlighting Louis' history as a boxer, as well as a powerful symbol against racism.

The artist has described the fist like a battering ram to demonstrate its power. Another interesting feature is how the fist points towards Canada, showing that the American fight for democracy has crossed borders. This sculpture is a powerful symbol that is worthy of a photo opportunity.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Detroit. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Joe Louis Memorial on Map

Sight Name: Joe Louis Memorial
Sight Location: Detroit, USA (See walking tours in Detroit)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Detroit, Michigan

Create Your Own Walk in Detroit

Create Your Own Walk in Detroit

Creating your own self-guided walk in Detroit is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Monuments Tour

Monuments Tour

Detroit is known for having many monuments and statues to great personalities that are scattered across the city.

Did you know that the monument commemorating the “freedom fighter for two continents”, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, is actually replica of the monument standing by Wawel castle in Krakow, Poland? Another featured military figure, Gen. Alexander Macomb, was a hero in the War of 1812 and...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Downtown Detroit Walking Tour

Downtown Detroit Walking Tour

Detroit is Michigan's largest city, Wyne County's seat, and the biggest city on the United States border with Canada. Its location on the Detroit River, proximity to the Great Lakes, and proximity to Canada have helped secure this city as a major trading area over its long history. The city is also famous as the home of Motown.

European settlement in the 17th century began with the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Midtown Detroit Walking Tour

Midtown Detroit Walking Tour

Midtown Detroit is a mixed-use area consisting of a business district, cultural center, a major research university, and several residential neighborhoods, located along the east and west side of Woodward Avenue. Most of all, it is a cultural epicenter with numerous activities huddled in one place, especially when it comes to museums, restaurants, and bars.

Start your journey with the Wayne...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles