Depot Town in Ypsilanti in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Amazing Quarter Mile
Auto Dealers in Ypsilanti
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 13, 2016
1. The Amazing Quarter Mile: Auto Dealers in Ypsilanti Marker
It's hard to count all the brands of automobiles
that were sold on the south side of Michigan Avenue. Right here, between the Huron River Bridge and Park Street, 17 auto dealers sold 31 different brands of cars and trucks during the 1900s. This land had been built up in the 1800s with a large wooden mill on the riverbank and several homes, some for affluent households. But in 1912 the first auto dealership opened, and this 1/4-mile was transformed into a bustling market for automobiles until the last dealership closed in the 1990s.
You Auto Know
Theodore Schaible, the first car dealer along Michigan Avenue, was also Ypsilanti mayor from 1920 to 1922.
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 1912.
Location. 42° 14.45′ N, 83° 36.676′ W. Marker is in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Depot Town. Marker is on East Michigan Avenue (State Highway 17) 0.1 miles east of South Huron Street (Business U.S. 12), on the right when
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Power on the River (here, next to this marker); Michigan Avenue Industry (here, next to this marker); Food and Drink (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Settlement in Washtenaw County (about 700 feet away); Elijah McCoy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ypsilanti Area Sesquicentennial (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Michigan's Interurbans (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ypsilanti.
Also see . . . Water Street Auto Dealer History. Internet Archive website entry:
Information about the Water Street auto dealerships in the Spring 2012 issue (page 9) of Ypsilanti Historical Society's Ypsilanti Gleanings. (Submitted on October 14, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 13, 2016
2. Upper left image
The mansion residence of the Worden family at 20 East Michigan, about 1870, one of the homes in the area before the auto dealerships. Photo courtesy of the Ypsilanti Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 13, 2016
3. Lower left image
Serbay Motor Sales along Michigan Avenue in 1962. Photo courtesy of the Ypsilanti Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 13, 2016
4. Upper middle image
The Joseph Thompson, Inc. dealership in 1938. In this photo, the old Worden mansion remains next door. Photo courtesy of the Ypsilanti Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 13, 2016
5. Lower middle image
Richard's DeSoto Plymouth at 34 East Michigan in 1953. Photo courtesy of the Ypsilanti Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 13, 2016
6. Lower right image
East Michigan Avenue auto dealerships in the early 1950s. Photo courtesy of the Michigan Firehouse Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 13, 2016
7. The Amazing Quarter Mile: Auto Dealers in Ypsilanti
This marker is on the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 714 times since then and 230 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 14, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
