Orion Township near Lake Orion in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William E. Scripps
and the Scripps-Booth Luxury Automobile
Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 5, 2019
1. William E. Scripps and the Scripps-Booth Luxury AutomobileMarker
Behind these gates lies the country estate
built in 1927 by William E. Scripps, heir to the Detroit News fortune and a talented early aviator, inventor, and radio pioneer. He joined his nephew James Scripps Booth in forming the Scripps-Booth Company to produce well-designed light luxury automobiles in Detroit from 1914 to 1917. These sporty cars included innovations like a keyed ignition, power door locks, and the first spare tire. Most were sold to wealthy Americans and to Europeans, and are still found in collections around the world.
"The gimmick that sold me on the Scripps-Booth automobile was a button on the top of the right-hand door...Press the button and the door flew open. It was sheer magic."
Groucho Marx, from his book, Groucho and Me, 1995
You Auto Know
Among the famous owners of Scripps-Booth automobiles were the King of Spain, Queen of Holland, Reggie Vanderbilt, and Winston Churchill.
Erected 2009 by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area
this page online
Location. 42° 45.005′ N, 83° 16.891′ W. Marker is near Lake Orion, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is in Orion Township. It is on West Scripps Road east of Joslyn Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1840 West Scripps Road, Lake Orion MI 48360, 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: William E. Scripps / William E. and Nina Scripps Estate (a few steps from this marker); Howarth School (approx. 2 miles away); An Amusement Park in Lake Orion? Yes It's True! (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Boats of Lake Orion (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Trains of Lake Orion (approx. 3.1 miles away); A Moment in Time c.1911
Photo courtesy of Library of Congress Digital Collection
2. Left image
Outside a Scripps-Booth dealership in Detroit, 1921.
Also see . . .
1. William Edmund Scripps. Wikipedia article (Submitted on May 9, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Scripps-Booth. Wikipedia article about the Scripps-Booth automobile company. (Submitted on May 9, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
3. Scripps Mansion. Wikipedia article (Submitted on May 9, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
4. William E. Scripps Estate. The Cultural Landscape Foundation website entry (Submitted on May 23, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photo courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
3. Middle image
Walter E. Scripps, about 1930.
Photo courtesy of the Thomas and Lois Booth Collection.
4. Right image
1917 Scripps-Booth Model C Roadster.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 5, 2019
5. William E. Scripps and the Scripps-Booth Luxury Automobile Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,912 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 9, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
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