Milwaukee Junction in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ford Piquette Plant

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

1. Ford Piquette Plant Marker

Inscription. Completed in 1904, the Piquette Avenue Plant was the first factory built by the Ford Motor Company. The building was designed by the Detroit firm of Field, Hinchman and Smith. Models B, C, F, K, N, R, S, and T were produced here between 1904 and 1910 when Ford became the world’s largest producer of automobiles. In 1908 Henry Ford, C. Harold Wills, Joseph Galamb and others designed the Model T, the first automobile built for the masses. Seeking more efficiency, Ford experimented with aspects of the moving assembly line at Piquette. New technology and demand for the Model T made the plant inadequate. In 1910 production moved to a much larger plant in Highland Park where the moving assembly line was implemented. The Studebaker Corporation purchased the Piquette Avenue Plant in 1911.

Erected 2004 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number S0681.)

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 1904.

Location. 42° 22.116′ N,

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83° 3.908′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Milwaukee Junction. It is at the intersection of Piquette Avenue and Beaubien Boulevard, on the left when traveling east on Piquette Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 461 Piquette Ave, Detroit MI 48202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan.

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 Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Creating A Legend (within shouting distance of this marker); At The Height Of His Powers (within shouting distance of this marker); Steps to Success (within shouting distance of this marker); Ford's Model T (within shouting distance of this marker); Milwaukee Junction (within shouting distance of this marker); Studebaker in Detroit (within shouting distance

National Register of Historic Places - 2002 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, July 16, 2022

2. National Register of Historic Places - 2002

The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, 1904-1910, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, 2002.
Ford Retired Engineering Executives (free) erected this plaque, June, 2003.

of this marker); Detroit Association of Women's Clubs (approx. 0.4 miles away); Omega Psi Phi (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Also see . . . Our History. Excerpt:

As the birthplace of the Ford Model T car, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is recognized as one of the most significant automotive heritage sites in the world.

(Submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Additional commentary.
1. Distinctions
The Piquette Avenue Plant was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, designated as a Michigan State Historic Site in 2003, and became a National Historic Landmark in 2006. The building has also been a contributing property for the surrounding Piquette Avenue Industrial Historic District since 2004.

— Submitted May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.

National Historic Landmark - 2006 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, July 16, 2022

3. National Historic Landmark - 2006

Ford Piquette Avenue Plant has been designated a National Historic Landmark

This site possesses national significance as an outstanding representation on the emergence of Henry Ford and his company as the leading American automobile manufacturer, It is the oldest extant Ford factory, built in 1904. Here the Ford Motor Company initially achieved quantity production of technically advanced, inexpensive automobiles. From this plant the Model T Ford, the most significant car in the history of the automobile industry, was created and produced. Principal Ford production operations would remain here through 1909.

2006 - National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior

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

4. Ford Piquette Plant Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 949 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. 4. submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.