Elijah McCoy in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Elijah McCoy Homesite

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021

1. Elijah McCoy Homesite Marker

Inscription. Elijah McCoy, the noted black inventor, lived on this site for much of his adult life. Born in 1844 to fugitive slaves residing in Canada, McCoy was trained in Scotland as a mechanical engineer, and came to Michigan after the Civil War. Discrimination forced him to become a fireman on the Michigan Central Railroad. In 1872 McCoy patented his first automatic lubricating cup, which oiled the locomotive while the train was in motion, thus eliminating frequent stops for oiling. He soon moved to Detroit where he improved his designs, and later set up a company to manufacture lubricators. These were installed in locomotives and steamships both here and abroad. McCoy died in 1929, honored for his important engineering innovations.

Erected 1975 by Michigan History Division, Department of State, Detroit Historical Commission. (Marker Number L0362.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list.

Location. 42° 21.535′ N, 83° 4.869′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Elijah McCoy. Marker is at the

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intersection of Elijah McCoy Drive and Lincoln Street, on the right when traveling east on Elijah McCoy Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1279 Elijah McCoy Dr, Detroit MI 48202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. United Sound Systems Recording Studios (approx. half a mile away); Motown (approx. half a mile away); Fisher Building (approx. ¾ mile away); Wayne State University (approx. 0.8 miles away); Charles Lang Freer House / Merrill-Palmer Institute (approx. 0.8 miles away); Robert Pauli Scherer (approx. 0.8 miles away); Hilberry Theatre (approx. 0.8 miles away); Thompson Home (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Regarding Elijah McCoy Homesite. McCoy’s inventions were so popular with industrialists, that when inquiring about a device, they always wanted to be sure that it was the "real McCoy."

Also see . . . Elijah McCoy. Excerpt:

Despite his qualifications, McCoy was unable to find work as an engineer in the United States due to racial barriers; skilled professional positions were not available for African Americans at the time, regardless of their training or background.

(Submitted on May 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021

2. Elijah McCoy Homesite Marker

Elijah McCoy image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, circa 1900

3. Elijah McCoy

Rights Held by: Ypsilanti Historical Society

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 569 times since then and 162 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.