Belle Isle is a historic 982 acre island park in the Detroit River. It connects to Detroit mainland via the MacArthur Bridge and is a beautiful place to explore. We spent a day driving around and through the park and these are some of the things we found.
The world's only all-marble lighthouse stands on one end of the island. It was designed by Albert Kahn and dedicated in 1930. It stands 47 feet tall. Due to vandalism and theft, the lighthouse is fenced off so there is no access. The grounds are not well maintained.
In 1928, police radio operators for the first time broadcast on a dedicated frequency, from this police station.
In 1904, this conservatory opened and it is the oldest continually-running conservatory in the U.S.
The Peace Carillon was dedicated and held its first concert in 1940. It did not chime today, the clock doesn't work, and the grounds are in rough shape. It must have been lovely in its day.
The maritime museum was closed but opened originally in 1961. A few historic items are on display outside, not the least of which is an anchor from the Edmund Fitzgerald. The ship lost its anchor in the Detroit River in 1974. The ship subsequently perished in Lake Superior in 1975, and this lost anchor was found in 1992 and retrieved for display.
Here's another anchor and a pilot house.
A donated flagpole.
Greeting all visitors at the entrance is this pair of cannons from the War of 1812.
View looking toward Canada from the museum.
There are many statues and monuments on the island but few sculptures. This is one we found, Atom Gazelle by Richard Bennett, 20 feet tall, stainless steel. "The Hammer" is its nickname.
Here's a bit of automobile history that took place on Belle Isle.
One of the many monuments we came across.
James Brady founded the Old Newsboys Goodfellow Fund of Detroit.
Samuel Francis Smith wrote the lyrics to "America" (My Country Tis of Thee).
Civil War statue
Two prolific authors are represented: Dante Alighieri (Divine Comedy) and Friedrich Schiller (William Tell).
Major General Alpheus Starkey Williams was a Union General in the Civil War and has a prominent location on the island.
The human slide was closed, and this facility was one of the few that were open ~ prison toilet and very specific signage.
The first thing you see when you cross the bridge to Belle Isle is the magnificent James Scott Memorial Fountain. James Scott donated the money for the fountain with the stipulation that a statue of him be erected as well. Rather than turn down the money, the city finally obliged and completed the project in 1925. The fountain is 510 feet across and has 109 water outlets.
Before you head back over the bridge, be sure to take in the Detroit skyline.
Bell Isle became a state park in 2014, the State of Michigan signing a 30 year lease with the city. So more funds may now be available to restore and maintain this island gem.
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