The building is named for the Penobscot, a Native American tribe from Maine. Native American motifs in art deco style ornamentation is used on the exterior and the interiors.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The Penobscot Building as seen from a distance in 2022
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The Penobscot complex with the main (tallest) building on the left
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A unique view at the Penobscot building's top floors with the Buhl building on the right.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
There are actually three Penobscot buildings. The first is the 13-story building Murphy erected in 1905, though he died shortly before it opened. It was joined by a 24-story tower in 1916 built. The third, the 47-story tower known as the Greater Penobscot, was built at a cost of $5 million.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Native American motifs in art deco style ornamentation on the exterior
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The American Indian chief over the Griswold Street entrance
Photo by Jack P. Johnson for HistoricDetroit.org
The knob of the Penobscot has shined over Detroit for more than 80 years.
Ryan Southen (www.ryansouthen.com) for HistoricDetroit.org
The Penobscot and Dime buildings at night
Ryan Southen (www.ryansouthen.com) for HistoricDetroit.org
All three of the Penobscot buildings - the first is at center, the second at right and the final is the tall drink of water in back.
Photo by Andrew Kopietz for HistoricDetroit.org (www.andrewkopietz.com)
These owl men guard the entrance to the Penobscot on Griswold Street.
Jennifer Baross for HistoricDetroit.org
The Penobscot, center, with the Guardian Building at left.
Mark Hall for HistoricDetroit.org
Mark Hall for HistoricDetroit.org
The Penobscot, left, and Dime buildings stand proudly along Griswold Street.
Photo by Geoff George for HistoricDetroit.org
More than 80 years after opening, the Penobscot remains a dominating fixture in Campus Martius.
Mark Hall for HistoricDetroit.org
The Penobscot as seen from the roof of the Guardian Building.
Photo by Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org
The lobby of the Penobscot was sadly modernized.
Photo by Geoff George for HistoricDetroit.org
The Penobscot still dominates downtown's skyline.
Photo by Geoff George for HistoricDetroit.org
A rare view of the Penobscot from the roof of the First National Building
Jennifer Baross for HistoricDetroit.org
Big Chief perched above the Griswold Street entrance
Photo by Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org
Todd Farnum climbs the Penobscot's iconic beacon to change the bulbs in spring 2015.
Photo by Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org
When completed in 1928, the Penobscot Building was the world's eighth tallest building. It was the city's tallest from 1928 to 1977.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Looking up - The Penobscot block (the 1905 Penobscot, the 1916 Penobscot Annex and the 1928 Penobscot Building), the Buhl Building and the backside of the Ford Building.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org