Ypsilanti in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Willow Run
Photographed By Al Barrera, December 11, 2008
1. Willow Run Marker
Inscription.
Willow Run. . [Marker Front]:
Willow Run (1941-1953). After entering World War II in 1941, America desperately needed military equipment and supplies. The Ford Motor Company had begun building this factory in April 1941. Outstanding industrial architect Albert Kahn designed Willow Run, one of the largest manufacturing plants under one roof in the world. Completed in early 1942, this bulwark of the "Arsenal of Democracy" produced 8685 B-24 Liberator Bombers and had a peak employment of 42,000 men and women. After the war, the newly formed Kaiser-Frazer Corporation -- in an unsuccessful effort to create a large scale automotive empire -- occupied this plant. Here the company manufactured the first of 739,039 passenger cars, as well as military aircraft. In 1953 Kaiser-Frazer transferred its diminishing operations from Willow Run to Toledo, Ohio, and Argentina., [Marker Reverse]:
Willow Run (1953-Present). "Willow Run" initially referred to the small stream running through this area. The name then identified the bomber factory, airport, and community which sprung up around this wartime industry. Now this Willow Run plant is the General Motors Hydra-matic Division, makers of automatic transmissions. First based in Detroit, this Division moved to Livonia where fire destroyed its facilities on August 12, 1953. That September General Motors transferred the Hydra-matic operations to Willow Run. Twelve weeks after the fire, transmissions again rolled of the totally retooled and rearranged assembly line -- an amazing feat of industrial efficiency. This factory has known both war and peace. Continuing to make transmissions, the plant also manufactured military hardware during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Willow Run reflects the versatility of the auto industry.
[Marker Front]:
Willow Run (1941-1953)
After entering World War II in 1941, America desperately needed military equipment and supplies. The Ford Motor Company had begun building this factory in April 1941. Outstanding industrial architect Albert Kahn designed Willow Run, one of the largest manufacturing plants under one roof in the world. Completed in early 1942, this bulwark of the "Arsenal of Democracy" produced 8685 B-24 Liberator Bombers and had a peak employment of 42,000 men and women. After the war, the newly formed Kaiser-Frazer Corporation -- in an unsuccessful effort to create a large scale automotive empire -- occupied this plant. Here the company manufactured the first of 739,039 passenger cars, as well as military aircraft. In 1953 Kaiser-Frazer transferred its diminishing operations from Willow Run to Toledo, Ohio, and Argentina.
[Marker Reverse]:
Willow Run (1953-Present)
"Willow Run" initially referred to the small stream running through this area. The name then identified the bomber factory, airport, and community which sprung up around this wartime industry. Now this Willow Run plant is the General Motors Hydra-matic Division, makers of automatic transmissions. First based in Detroit, this Division moved to Livonia where fire destroyed its facilities
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on August 12, 1953. That September General Motors transferred the Hydra-matic operations to Willow Run. Twelve weeks after the fire, transmissions again rolled of the totally retooled and rearranged assembly line -- an amazing feat of industrial efficiency. This factory has known both war and peace. Continuing to make transmissions, the plant also manufactured military hardware during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Willow Run reflects the versatility of the auto industry.
Erected 1978 by State of Michigan. (Marker Number S0509.)
Location. 42° 14.48′ N, 83° 33.453′ W. Marker is in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2930 Ecorse road, Ypsilanti MI 48198, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This marker is currently located inside of the Yankee Air Museum, at the Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan. It is against a wall in the north-east corner of the museum. There is an admission charge.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2008, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,919 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on December 11, 2008, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. 2. submitted on December 8, 2008, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. 3, 4. submitted on December 16, 2008, by Al Barrera of Brownstown, Michigan. 5. submitted on September 11, 2015, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area picture of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
