Dearborn in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Planning for People
in the Ford Homes Historic Neighborhood
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2018
1. Planning for People Marker
This distinctive neighborhood was born in 1919 and 1920.
In those years, Henry Ford built 156 homes for sale to his Dearborn Fordson Tractor Plant employees. The two-story, three- and four-bedroom homes were built with the most current materials and designs, and they cost between $8,750-$9,550. Henry, Clara and Edsel Ford financed the houses through Dearborn Realty and Construction Company. The homes, along Park, Nona, Beech, Military, Francis, Edison, Gregory and Olmstead streets, were within walking distance of the tractor plant.
"We are seeking to serve only those people who want a good home, who expect to pay for one, and who will appreciate one after they get one."
E. G. Liebold, President
Dearborn Realty and Construction Company
1919
You Auto Know
Henry Ford employed standardized building methods such as mass purchasing of materials and specialized crews, much as he had at the Rouge Plant, to build homes for his employees, selling them at cost.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series.
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Location. 42° 18.101′ N, 83° 15.266′ W. Marker is in Dearborn, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker is at the intersection of Park Street and Haigh Street, on the right when traveling west on Park Street. Marker is in a pocket park at the north end of Haigh Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27700 Park Street, Dearborn MI 48124, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rhythm of Radio (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charles A. Kandt House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Business Pioneers (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Joseph's Retreat (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rouge River Water Quality Improvements (approx. half a mile away); Bryant Branch Library (approx. half a mile away); Westward Welcome (approx. half a mile away); U.S. Arsenal 1833 - 1875 (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dearborn.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2018
2. Upper Left Image
Aerial view of Ford Homes neighborhood. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Also see . . .
1. Dearborn Ford Homes Historic District takes you back. The Detroit News article from 2015 (Submitted on July 19, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Henry Ford Homes Historic District. Article from 2012 on Detroit: The History and Future of the Motor City website. (Submitted on July 19, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
3. Ford Homes of Dearborn, Michigan. Article from December 2011 in Old House Online. (Submitted on July 19, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2018
3. Middle Image
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2018
4. Upper Right Image
Ford Homes under construction. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2018
5. Middle Right Image
Ford Homes neighborhood with construction completed, 1920. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2018
6. Lower Right Image
The established Ford Homes neighborhood, almost a century after construction.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2018
7. Planning for People Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2018
8. Planning for People Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2018
9. Welcome to Ford Homes Historic District 1919-1920 sign
This sign is on South Military Street at Beech Street — about 0.3 miles from the historical marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on July 19, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
