Northville in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Northville Valve Plant
Henry Ford's Experiment
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 4, 2019
1. Northville Valve Plant: Henry Ford's Experiment Marker
In Northville, Henry Ford tried something new.
His first "village industry" was established here in 1920, to make valves for Model-Ts and tractors, using the Rouge River for power. He hired local workers, and even selected local children for special schooling. He bought the old Dubuar Manufacturing building and operated there for 16 years before replacing it with the existing building. Henry Ford built many other "village industries" along rivers throughout the region, but this was the last to survive, operating until 1989.
"Some people think he was only interested in making money. But I think he wanted to take care of the whole world."
Northville resident Marian Zayti,
chosen in childhood by Henry Ford for special schooling
You Auto Know
The Northville Valve Plant produced 200,000 valves a day for tractors and automobiles.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 42° 25.892′ N, 83° 28.64′ W. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Taking Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Tracks in Town (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roadside Refreshment (about 500 feet away); Interurban Station (about 800 feet away); Cady Inn (about 800 feet away); J.M. Mead General Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hirsch Blacksmith Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mill Race Historical Village (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northville.
Also see . . . Ford Valve Plant. Wikipedia article (Submitted on August 12, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photo from the collections of The Henry Ford.
2. Northville Valve Plant: Henry Ford's Experiment Marker - upper left image
The Dubuar saw mill site along the Rouge River at Main Streeet and Griswold Street in Northville. The Dubuar mill was the most important sawmill in Northville for many years.
Photo from the collections of The Henry Ford.
3. Northville Valve Plant: Henry Ford's Experiment Marker - upper right image
As an expansion at the site, Dubuar Manufacturing Company produced wheelbarrows, wood moldings, and other wood products. Dubuar replaced the original wooden structures with brick buildings in 1896.
Photo from the collections of The Henry Ford.
4. Northville Valve Plant: Henry Ford's Experiment Marker - lower left image
Ford built a new Northville Valve Plant building at the site in 1936. The waterwheel was just for show and never produced power for the new building.
Photo from the collections of The Henry Ford., August 4, 2019
5. Northville Valve Plant: Henry Ford's Experiment Marker - lower right image
Workers in the Northville Valve Plant in July 1935. The plant employed about 40 people at a time, producing intake and exhaust valves for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and Fordson Tractors.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 4, 2019
6. Northville Valve Plant: Henry Ford's Experiment Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 4, 2019
7. Northville Valve Plant: Henry Ford's Experiment Marker
View of the waterwheel on the east side of the building.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 12, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
