Life and Times of Henry - MotorCities National Heritage Area

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Henry Ford’s vision changed the way we live. His life spanned an era of dramatic
change – from farm to factory, from the Civil War to World War II, from candlelight to
electric light, from horses to cars. It was a change Henry Ford helped revoke. His
revolutionary Model T was a pebble tossed into a still pond, whose ever-expanding
ripples still wash around us today. Explore the accomplishments and contradictions of
Henry Ford from his birth place to his resting place. “The Life and Times of Henry”
Driving Tour celebrates his legacy and provides context to automotive enthusiasts and
historians alike. For more information, visit henryford150.com
1100 LAKE SHORE ROAD, GROSSE POINTE SHORES
(313) 884-4222 www.fordhouse.org
Designed to resemble rural village cottages in England, the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, built in
1927, features an elegant design by the famed architect, Albert Kahn. The beautiful 87-acre
landscape, designed by Jens Jensen, served as a home for Edsel and Eleanor’s family and is now open
to the public for tours.
13100-13198 E JEFFERSON AVE. (Jefferson near Lenox)
The popular horse and sulky dirt track that once stood at this site hosted an infamous
race between Henry Ford and highly respected race-car driver, Alexander Winton of
Cleveland in October of 1901. Ford’s win over Mr. Winton in the 10 mile race drew
the attention of Alexander Y. Malcomson, who eventually partnered with Ford in
manufacturing automobiles.
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ENTER YOUR DESIRED SITE NUMBER.
GLOBE BUILDING, 1900 ATWATER, DETROIT
The Detroit Dry Dock Company was the region’s largest and most renowned ship builder. Henry Ford apprenticed
here between 1880 and 1882. It was here that he befriended the chief engineer, Frank Kirby, who encouraged him
to learn about steam engines, machine tools, and shop practices
1 HART PLAZA, DETROIT
In 1903 the incorporation papers for the Ford Motor
Company were signed here in the offices of Alexander
Malcomson, owner of the coal yard that once stood on this
site. Mr. Ford befriended him during his frequent trips to
purchase coal for the Edison Illuminating Company. Ford’s
recent victory at the Detroit Driving Club attracted additional
investors, John & Horace Dodge and James Couzen.
600 RANDOLPH STREET, DETROIT
Eager to improve roads, Henry Ford became one of the first Wayne County Road Commissioners in 1906, working
from this classical revival-style building, constructed between 1897 and 1902. This relationship would evolve into
joint projects between Ford Motor and Wayne County in developing his Village Industry Plants.
MICHIGAN THEATER BUILDING,
220 BAGLEY AVENUE, DETROIT
500 TEMPLE STREET, DETROIT
(313) 832-7100
www.themasonic.com
In a rented duplex on this site, Clara helped Henry test his first
internal combustion engine on their kitchen sink on Christmas
Eve1893. In 1896, in a brick shed behind that home, Henry
built his first horseless carriage, the Quadricycle. The shed has
been reconstructed and is now in Greenfield Village. Historic
Marker
Henry Ford, who was a Freemason, sponsored The Ford
Sunday Evening Hour radio program, which was broadcast
from here every Sunday from 1934 to 1946, except during
World War II. This is the largest Masonic Temple in the
country and has recently been restored for private event use
and tours.
4209 WOODWARD AVE, DETROIT
(WILLIS AND WOODWARD)
The Edison Illuminating Company Substation at this location is where 28 year-old Henry Ford first worked as a
steam engineer, maintaining the engines that powered the dynamos that illuminated this part of Detroit. It
was here he befriended his hero, Thomas Edison, who encouraged him to continue his work on inventing a
gasoline automobile.
461 PIQUETTE AVENUE, DETROIT
(313) 872-8759 www.tplex.org
This 1904 plant is the birthplace of the Model T, dubbed the
most significant automobile of the 20th century and is the
first factory specifically built for the Ford Motor Company.
2799 W. GRAND BLD, DETROIT
(313) 916-2600 www.henryford.com
In 1915 Henry and Clara contributed land and funding for the Detroit hospital that later became Henry
Ford Hospital, one of Ford’s largest charitable efforts. The hospital was contracted by the war
department and served troops in World War I. The Clara Ford School of Nursing opened in 1925, along
with a 300-room nurse’s home.
140 EDISON AVENUE, BOSTON-EDISON,
www.historicbostonedison.org
In search of a new place to call home, Henry and Clara moved to the historic Boston-Edison District
where several other auto barons also resided. The Italian Renaissance Revival style home was completed
in 1908 and even included a machine shop for their son Edsel. (Private home not open to the public)
15050 WOODWARD AVENUE,HIGHLAND PARK
www.woodwardavenue.org
Considered one of the most significant industrial buildings in America, the Highland Park Plant introduced the
automated assembly line in 1913 revolutionizing manufacturing. It also debuted the $5 dollar workday in
1914 which doubled wages and reduced a typical work shift from nine to eight hours, leading to the
establishment of the American middle class. Historic Marker– Not open to the public
15801 JOY ROAD. DETROIT
Since 1893 this land had been operated as a cemetery for descendants of Samuel Ford. Clara Ford
commissioned an Episcopal Church to be built on site which was finished in 1954. Both Henry and Clara Ford
are buried here. Grounds are open to the public for tours.
15101 FORD ROAD DEARBORN
It was near the site of this park at the corner of Ford and Greenfield Roads that Henry Ford was born on July
30, 1863. The farm on this land was home to Henry from his birth until he left at age 16 to find work in
Detroit.
3001 MILLER ROAD, DEARBORN
www.thehenryford.org/rouge
Initially designed by Albert Kahn, this totally self-contained plant gave Ford Motor Company the ability to
transform raw materials into one car, every 49 seconds using a process called vertical integration. During
World War I, Ford produced Eagle Boats here. Currently it hosts the world’s largest green roof which can
be viewed as part of the Rouge Factory Tour.
10520 FORT STREET, DETROIT
As the Great Depression deepened, laid off workers of Ford Motor Company organized a Hunger March,
on March 7th, 1932 carrying banners reading “Give Us Work”. The march resulted in five workers being
shot to death. This march would ultimately lead to Ford Motor Company joining the other automotive
companies in unionization. Historic Marker
20301 OAKWOOD BOULEVARD, DEARBORN
(313)271-2700 www.marriott.com/Dearborn
As an outcome of Henry Ford’s involvement in aviation during the war, he commissioned this Georgianstyle hotel to support the Ford Airport (Now Ford Motor Company proving grounds) in 1931. The Dearborn
Inn is the first hotel to have air-conditioning and direct dialing in hotel rooms.
20900 OAKWOOD BOULEVARD, DEARBORN
(313)271-1570 www.thehenryford.org
Originally founded as The Edison Institute in 1929, this complex is home to a great wealth of heritage salvaged in
order to recapture the best of a lost 19th century America within the walls of this museum and adjacent village.
Visitors can see artifacts and buildings as well as engage in interactive play.
21031 MICHIGAN AVENUE, DEARBORN
Henry Ford re-purposed the former waterworks building for George Washington Carver’s visit to Dearborn in
1942 as a research facility for experiments with soybeans, peanuts, cotton and rubber used in manufacturing
auto parts. The building included food and chemical laboratories, a library, vegetable storage, and an
experimental kitchen.
4901 EVERGREEN ROAD, DEARBORN
www.henryfordestate.org
Acquiring 1,300 acres of land along the Rouge River, Henry and Clara Ford built the Fair Lane Estate to escape
public view, living here from 1915 until his death in 1947. The estate included landscapes designed by the famous
Jens Jensen, a hydroelectric powerhouse, and a boathouse for Clara’s electric launch. The home is currently closed
to the public. Grounds are open to the public
29835 BEECHWOOD AVE., GARDEN CITY
Henry Ford built this home for his young bride Clara in 1889. It was originally located at the intersection of Ford
and Southfield Roads on land given to Henry by his father. The “Square House” was built to Clara’s
specifications using lumber harvested from his land and cut by his own saw mill. Historic Marker. Private Home,
not open to the public
33175 ANN ARBOR TRAIL,
WESTLAND (734)261-1990
www.nankinmills.org
This former grist mill, built before the civil war, was frequented by Henry Ford who brought his father’s
grain here to be milled. Purchased in 1918, Henry Ford converted it into a water-powered machine shop
where workers could farm in the summer and make auto parts in the winter. The original Thomas
Edison hydroelectric generator is still present. The mill was converted into a nature center in the 1950’s
33175 ANN ARBOR TRAIL,
WESTLAND (734)261-1990
www.nankinmills.org
This former grist mill, built before the civil war, was frequented by Henry Ford who
brought his father’s grain here to be milled. Purchased in 1918, Henry Ford converted it
into a water-powered machine shop where workers could farm in the summer and make
auto parts in the winter. The original Thomas Edison hydroelectric generator is still
present. The mill was converted into a nature center in the 1950’s
28000 GRAND RIVER ROAD FARMINGTON HILLS
During Henry and Clara Ford’s courtship the couple would attend dances at the Botsford Inn. In 1924 Henry Ford
restored the Inn as part of his interest in old style dance. Benjamin Lovett, a dance instructor, was brought from
Massachusetts to teach dance to Ford’s employees.
235 EAST MAIN STREET, NORTHVILLE
ci.northville.mi.us (248) 348-1845
Henry Ford converted this former grist mill into his first and longest operating Village Industry Plant in 1920 to
produce engine valves. The intent of this small machine shop was one of Mr. Ford’s grand experiments in
keeping farmers with one foot on the farm and one foot in the factory. The village is open to the public.
215 GRISWOLD STREET,
NORTHVILLE • (248)348-1845
ci.northville.mi.us
This Victorian village consists of nine structures relocated by volunteers on the banks of the Rouge River on
land donated by the Henry Ford Motor Company. It is nestled adjacent to a historic mill converted by
Henry Ford, into his first Village Industry Plant, the Northville Valve plant
47884 D ST., WILLOW RUN AIRPORT,
BELLEVILLE (734)483.4030
www.yankeeairmuseum.org
Known as Ford Motor Company’s most significant contribution to the Arsenal of Democracy, the B-24 Bomber
was manufactured here during World War II using assembly line methods adapted from auto manufacturing to
produce planes at the rate of one per hour. This plant also employed many women and inspired the infamous
icon, Rosie the Riveter
ABOUT MOTORCITIES
MotorCities is a non-profit
501(c)3 affiliated with the
National Park Service
dedicated to preserving,
interpreting and promoting
the automotive and labor
heritage in Southeast
Michigan.
ABOUT HENRY FORD
HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
The Henry Ford Heritage
Association’s mission is to
foster interest in the life
and accomplishments of
Henry Ford, and to
preserve and interpret
the landmarks associated
with his life.
ABOUT TOURISM WINDSOR
ESSEX PELEE ISLAND
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee
Island is the official
Destination Marketing
Organization (DMO) for the
regional tourism industry.
We are a not-for-profit
organization that is
dedicated to promoting and
selling Windsor, Essex
County and Pelee Island as a
remarkable destination for
tourists, convention goers
and business travelers.