Near Plymouth in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gunsolly Carding Mill
and the Rouge River's Rich History
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 18, 2019
1. Gunsolly Carding Mill Marker
For many years, wool was processed here.
The Gunsolly Carding Mill operated here from 1851 to 1890, using Rouge River waterpower and machinery to process and untangle wool for spinning into yarn. Nearby villages of Plymouth and Newburgh were important wool markets, and many people came with wool from their sheep, including young Henry Ford and his father. When the land became part of Hines Park in 1928, Henry Ford bought the mill building and moved it to Dearborn. Today the Gunsolly Carding Mill can be visited at The Henry Ford, where it is part of Greenfield Village.
You Auto Know
In the 1800s, wool production and processing was one of the largest industries in Plymouth, Michigan.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 42° 22.705′ N, 83° 27.312′ W. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Roadside Development (approx. 0.7 miles away); Plymouth Railroads (approx. 0.7 miles away); Chessie Caboose 904151 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fire Tower Bell (approx. 0.7 miles away); Charles G. Curtiss House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Plymouth Community Veterans Memorial Park (approx. ¾ mile away); The Plymouth Plank Road (approx. ¾ mile away); Plymouth (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plymouth.
Photo courtesy of Wayne County Parks.
2. Upper left image
Hines Park, 1940. Here, along the Rouge River, was the original site of the Gunsolly Carding Mill before it was moved to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan.
Photo from the collections of The Henry Ford.
3. Center image
Gusolly Mill wool-carding machinery at the mill's location at Greenfield Village, 1929.
Photo from the collections of The Henry Ford.
4. Upper right image
Gunsolly Mill after reconstruction at Greenfield Village, 1929.
Photo from the collections of The Henry Ford.
5. Lower right image
Gunsolly Mill being recontructed at Greenfield Village, 1929. Under the direction of Ford's architect, Edward Cutl;er, the mill was diassembled board by board and rebuilt at Greenfield Village.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 18, 2019
6. Gunsolly Carding Mill and marker
The Henry Ford website entry:
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 313 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 22, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
