Dearborn in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Ford Rotunda
Memories of a Time and Place
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 20, 2018
1. The Ford Rotunda Marker
The Ford Rotunda is a lost landmark
that is still remembered fondly. Architect Albert Kahn — who designed many Ford factories and buildings — designed the building for Ford's exhibit at the 1933-34 "Century of Progress" World's Fair in Chicago. Kahn designed the building's exterior with grooved and stacked lines to suggest the look of automobile gears. After the fair, the 110-foot-tall, 214-foot-wide Rotunda was reassembled in Dearborn. The Rotunda hosted meetings, banquets, auto exhibits and seasonal displays for many years until a fire destroyed the building in 1962.
"Around us was the empire started by Henry Ford....We looked at the empire around us, and at its dying queen below. Then we went home."
James M. Lycett, reporting for The Detroit News as the Ford Rotunda burned, November 9, 1962.
You Auto Know
Kahn's design for the building accomodated the "Ford Vision" exhibit, and it was capable of being dismantled and reassembled.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 9, 1962.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dearborn War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Neighborhood (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Schaefer Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dearborn Town Hall Complex / Orville L. Hubbard (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ford Rouge Plant (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dearborn City Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dedicated to Christopher Columbus (approx. one mile away); Women Workers (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dearborn.
Also see . . .
1. Ford Rotunda. (Submitted on July 20, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Albert Kahn (architect). (Submitted on July 20, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
3. Century of Progress. (Submitted on July 20, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 20, 2018
2. Upper Left Image
From 1943 to 1962, the Rotunda offered showcases of new cars, Christmas exhibits and other special presentations. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 20, 2018
3. Lower Left Image
The "Ford Century of Progress" exhibit pavilion at the 1933-34 World's Fair in Chicago. The main structure to the left was moved to Dearborn to become the Rotunda. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 20, 2018
4. Lower Middle Image
The Rotunda was located across Rotunda Drive from the Ford Administration Building and near the Ford Rouge complex. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 20, 2018
5. Right Image
Fire destroyed the Ford Rotunda on November 9, 1962. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 20, 2018
6. The Ford Rotunda Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 696 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
