Free Press Building - Photos Decor Detail
Free Press Building
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This picture gallery is meant to showcase the amount of meticulous detail in the decor and design of the Free Press Building exterior.
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The two-story-tall main entrance features carvings by Ulysses A. Ricci which include female figures on either side. Ulysses A. Ricci was a sculptor born in New York City in 1888.
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The upper reaches of the central tower are dominated by an enormous guardian figure representing the Detroit Free Press as a guardian of Liberty.
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Medallions on the west and east facades show means of transportation.
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Medallions on the west and east facades show means of transportation.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/historic-detroit-prod/uploads/photo/photo/7683/X1090105sig.jpg)
Medallions on the west and east facades show means of transportation.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/historic-detroit-prod/uploads/photo/photo/7684/X1090106sig.jpg)
Medallions on the west and east facades show means of transportation.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/historic-detroit-prod/uploads/photo/photo/7685/X1090107sig.jpg)
Medallions on the west and east facades show means of transportation.
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Medallions representing portraits of important public figures people - here journalist Charles Dana
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Medallions representing portraits of important public figures - here Horace Greeley, an American newspaper editor and publisher who was the founder and editor of the New-York Tribune.
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Medallions representing portraits of important public figures - here Lewis Cass, one of Detroit’s most renowned politicians.
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Medallions representing portraits of important public figures - here University of Michigan president James Angell.
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Medallions representing portraits of important public figures - here Benjamin Franklin, pioneering newspaperman and publisher.
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Medallions representing portraits of important public figures - here George Pomeroy Goodale, (April 12, 1843 – May 7, 1919) drama editor of the Detroit Free Press.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/historic-detroit-prod/uploads/photo/photo/7692/X1090116sig.jpg)
Medallions representing portraits of important public figures - here Austin Blair (February 8, 1818 – August 6, 1894), also known as the Civil War Governor, and the 13th governor of Michigan.
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Medallions representing portraits of important public figures - here Monroe native General George Custer.
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Mermen repeated at all four corners of the building representing commerce and arts.
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Mermen repeated at all four corners of the building representing commerce and arts.
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Lion-head gargoyles and sentinel figures can be see along the upper reaches of all four facades of the building.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/historic-detroit-prod/uploads/photo/photo/7697/X1090134sig.jpg)
Lion-head gargoyles and sentinel figures can be see along the upper reaches of all four facades of the building.
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/historic-detroit-prod/uploads/photo/photo/7698/X1090111sig.jpg)
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/historic-detroit-prod/uploads/photo/photo/7699/X1090099sig.jpg)
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An allegoric goddess representing "communication" holds the torch of knowledge in her right hand, and the spear of destiny and the broken chains of ignorance in her left hand.
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Another allegoric goddess representing "commerce" can be seen on the left side of the main entrance.
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An allegory relief representing the authority of wisdom
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An allegory relief representing communication technology.
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This relief by Ulysses Ricci is holding a ship.
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Two faces looking down from the pedestal of the allegorical goddess on the right side of the main entrance.
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Above the two faces, a relief of a man operating a printing press.