Romeo in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wooden Wheels
Romeo Grows with its Carriage Industry
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
1. Wooden Wheels Marker
Romeo was a world of wheels, long before the automobile.
In the mid-1800s, a carriage industry developed here which was responsible for much of the prosperity of the Village of Romeo. This is still seen in the beautiful old homes built originally by carriage business owners. Local craftsmen built carriage frames, axles and bodies of wood. The village foundry shaped molten metal into carriage parts, such as carriage steps and axle spindles. As the automobile replaced carriage transportation in the early 1900s, the Romeo Foundry continued to thrive as suppliers of engine blocks for the popular Ford Model T.
You Auto Know
Romeo carriage businesses invented many new carriage features for better suspension, better axle placement, and better attachment to the horse.
Erected 2010 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.
Location. 42° 48.148′ N, 83° 0.868′ W. Marker is in Romeo, Michigan, in Macomb County. It is on West St. Clair Street west of
this page online
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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Electric Streetcars (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Village Park (about 300 feet away); From the Foundry Fires (about 300 feet away); Helen Starkweather (about 300 feet away); Village of Romeo (about 600 feet away); Many Tools and Many Tasks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Simpson Park Campground (approx. 1.4 miles away); Religious Society Church (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Romeo.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
2. Upper Left Image
Ketchum Brothers Peninsular Carriage and Wagon Manufactory, about 1870, on the north side of West St. Clair Street, across from what is now the Romeo Village Hall. This building later became Romeo's Detroit Urban Railway (streetcar) station. Photo courtesy of the Romeo Observer.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
3. Lower Left Images
Romeo foundry workers, about 1909. They made parts for carriages built in Romeo such as the cast carriage step, and later engine blocks for Ford Motor Company. Photo courtesy of the Romeo Observer.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
4. Center Image
The first carriage made in Romeo, about 1850. Photo courtesy of the Romeo Observer.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
5. Upper Right Image
Road cart displayed in Romeo's Craig Blacksmith Museum. This cart type was patented and manufactured by Brabb & Smith in Romeo.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
6. Middle Right Image
Carriage company owner George Washington Brabb lived in this fine Italianate home on South Main Street in the 1800s. Photo courtesy of Richard Beringer.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
7. Lower Right Image
A Romeo carriage advertisement, about 1870. Image courtesy of the Romeo Observer.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 15, 2018
8. Wooden Wheels Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 657 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 16, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
