Roseville in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Packard Field in Roseville
From Airport to Shopping Center
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 21, 2018
1. Packard Field in Roseville Marker
Ground was broken here in many ways.
At this site along Gratiot Avenue, Michigan's first commercial airport was established in 1919, and in 1954 Michigan's first shopping center opened here. Packard Motor Car Company, a leading American automobile manufacturer before World War I, developed military aircraft engines as America joined that war in 1917 and opened Packard Field to continue aircraft development after the war. Later known as Roseville Airport or Hartung-Gratiot Airport, the field brought air shows, aviation training programs and celebrity pilots to Roseville. The airport closed in 1951, making way for automobile parking lots at the Eastgate Shopping Center.
"The miracles of success made in the auto business...are now about to be repeated in the new, great Business of Aviation."
Advertisement for Michigan State Aviation School, based at the airport.
You Auto Know
Eastgate Shopping Center was a new idea, opening one week before Northland Shopping Center in 1954.
Erected 2014 by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce
this page online
Location. 42° 30.965′ N, 82° 55.615′ W. Marker is in Roseville, Michigan, in Macomb County. Marker is at the intersection of VFW Memorial Drive and PFC Wetzel Drive, on the right when traveling east on VFW Memorial Drive. Marker is in front of Roseville City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29777 Gratiot Avenue, Roseville MI 48066, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rapid Railway Company (here, next to this marker); Watching the Big Show (here, next to this marker); A Plank Road History (here, next to this marker); Frenchy's Auto Parts (a few steps from this marker); Sacred Heart Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Baumgartner House 1875 (approx. 1.1 miles away); Baumgartner House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Fire Apparatus Bell (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roseville.
Also see . . . Packard. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 23, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Additional commentary.
1. Packard Field/Eastgate Shopping Center and Northland Shopping
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 21, 2018
2. Upper Left Image
Activity at the airport's flight training school in the early 1930s. Photo courtesy of the Reuther Archives, Wayne State University.
Packard Field was, and Eastgate Shopping Center is, located about 2 miles south of the marker at the northeast corner of Gratiot Avenue (State Highway 3) and Frazho Road. Northland Shopping Center was located in Southfield, Michigan — about 18 miles west. It closed in 2015.
— Submitted July 23, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 21, 2018
3. Lower Left Images
Left: Gladys and Howard Hartung in the late 1920s. They were experiencecd aviators who operated the airport for many years. Photo courtesy of the Hartung Family. Right: The Hartung Aircraft Company was based at the airport until the airport closed in 1951.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 21, 2018
4. Lower Middle Image
An ink stamp on an airmail envelope honoring Roseville's airport in 1938. Image courtesy of the Hartung family.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 21, 2018
5. Upper Right Image
Aircraft at Packard Field in 1919. After the end of World War I, these aircraft were loaned by the United States military to Packard Motor Car Company for aviation engineering experiments. Photo courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 21, 2018
6. Middle Right Image
The airport along Gratiot Avenue at Frazho Street, 1940s. Photo courtesy of the Hudolin family.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 21, 2018
7. Lower Right Image
Eastgate Shopping Center opened in September 1954, addressing the need for generous automobile parking for modern shopping. 100,000 people showed up for the opening. Postcard photo courtesy of Roseville Public Library.
Photographed By JP Humphrey, August 20, 2022
8. Hartung Aircraft Wings
These Hartung Aircraft Wings were earned by my Dad on July 26, 1942. Presented by H.C Hartung, President of Hartung Aircraft Corporation after my Dad's Graduation.
Photographed By JP Humphrey, August 20, 2022
9. School Graduation Certificate Hartung Aircraft Corporation_Richard L Humphrey
My Dad; Richard L Humphrey graduated from the Hartung Aircraft Corporation School, July 26, 1942. He was awarded this Private Pilot certificate from H.C Hartung, President of Hartung Aircraft Corporation.
via Daily Detroit, unknown
10. Packard Field in Roseville Marker
The Story Of Michigan’s Almost Forgotten First Commercial Airport, Packard Field
Daily Detroit website entry
Click for more information.
Daily Detroit website entry
Click for more information.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 21, 2018
11. Packard Field in Roseville Marker
This marker is the middle of the five markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,085 times since then and 177 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 8, 9. submitted on August 20, 2022, by JP Humphrey of Royal Oak, MI United States of America. 10. submitted on October 24, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 11. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
