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

Inscription.
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

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these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 42° 30.965′ N, 82° 55.615′ W. Marker is in Roseville, Michigan, in Macomb County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

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,

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 21, 2018

2. Packard Field in Roseville Marker

This marker is the middle of the five markers.

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.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Erin United Presbyterian Church (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

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 Center
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.

Hartung Aircraft Wings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by JP Humphrey, August 20, 2022

3. 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.

School Graduation Certificate Hartung Aircraft Corporation_Richard L Humphrey image. Click for full size.

Photographed by JP Humphrey, August 20, 2022

4. 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.

Packard Field in Roseville Marker image. Click for more information.

via Daily Detroit, unknown

5. 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.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,560 times since then and 146 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3, 4. submitted on August 20, 2022, by JP Humphrey of Royal Oak, MI United States of America. 5. submitted on October 24, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.