Uptown in Flat Rock in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 25, 2020

1. Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory Marker

Inscription. This complex was part of Henry Ford's "village industries" plan to decentralize production by building plants in rural areas. Designed by Detroit architect Albert Kahn, the early-1920s complex comprised a factory with hydroelectric generators, a dam, and a water filtration plant that supplied water to the village. A 1926 newspaper announcement predicted: "Flat Rock Will Grow Like a Forest Fire." The availability of hydroelectric power and factory jobs did spur the growth of Flat Rock and sustained it during the Depression. Between 1923 and 1938, 52 million lamp assemblies were made here. The factory produced a variety of lamps and lighting systems for automobiles and World War II vehicles before ceasing operations in 1950.

Erected 2008 by Michigan Historical Commission — Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2198.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 42° 5.996′ N, 83° 17.669′ W. Marker is in Flat Rock, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Uptown. Marker is on West Huron River Drive, on the right when traveling

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south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26601 West Huron River Drive, Flat Rock MI 48134, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Wyandot (approx. 0.2 miles away); “It Happened Here” (approx. ¼ mile away); Flat Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Cornelius G. Munger General Store (approx. 0.8 miles away); Oak Ridge Cemetery RAF Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); Michigan Memorial Veterans Dedication (approx. 3 miles away); Wyandott Indian Monument (approx. 3.1 miles away); State Police Post (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flat Rock.

Also see . . . Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory. Wikipedia article about the lamp factory. (Submitted on September 25, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 25, 2020

2. Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory Marker

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 25, 2020

3. Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory Marker

View looking north along West Huron Drive.

Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 13, 2021

4. Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory

Etching of the factory on the pillar next to marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4. submitted on April 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.