Pontiac in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

"Body by Fisher"

A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 15, 2021

1. "Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker

Inscription.
Skills, quality and leadership came naturally
to the Fisher brothers. By the time they formed Fisher Body Company in Detroit in 1908, they had adapted their carriage-making to the needs of automobile bodies and were ready for early customers like Ford and Cadillac. By the time Fisher Body built its factory on Pontiac's Baldwin Avenue in 1922, the company was known for innovation and precision mass-production at plants employing more than 100,000 people. When Fisher Body became a division of General Motors (GM) in 1926, the "Body by Fisher" insignia became a badge of quality on Pontiacs, Buicks and other GM vehicles.

You Auto Know
Fisher started building car bodies in Pontiac at the former 1.4 million square foot O.J. Beaudette Co. factory located at Wessen and Walnut Streets.

Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 42° 37.27′ N, 83° 19.301′ W.

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Marker is in Pontiac, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is on Old South Telegraph Road 0.1 miles north of Orchard Lake Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the Clinton River Trail, about 100 feet east of Old South Telegraph Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pontiac MI 48341, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

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 Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "X" Marks the Spot (approx. ¼ mile away); Ordered by Mail - Sent by Rail (approx. ¼ mile away); Welcome to Beaudette Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Great Escape (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oakland County Boat Club (approx. half a mile away); New Life for Children (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sylvan Lake Inn (approx. 0.7 miles away); Learning and Growing (approx. 0.7 miles away).

Another

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 15, 2021

2. "Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker

marker is no longer nearby. Outdoor Attractions (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Fisher Body. Wikipedia article about the Fisher brothers and Fisher Body Company. (Submitted on May 30, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

"Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — top left image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of General Motors.

3. "Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — top left image

Workers inspect car bodies at the Fisher Body plant in Pontiac, 1940s.

"Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — middle far left image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of General Motors.

4. "Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — middle far left image

Body fabrication at the Fisher Body plant in Pontiac, 1940s.

"Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — middle near left image image. Click for full size.

Image courtesy of Marge Sawruk.

5. "Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — middle near left image

A 1944 War Bond advertisement, with the famous slogan changed to "Armament by Fisher." During World War II, Fisher Body converted to production of aircraft, tanks and heavy cannons.

"Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — center image image. Click for full size.

Image courtesy of Ron Gay.

6. "Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — center image

The famous "Body by Fisher" insignia, here on the door sill of the 1953 Futurliner, a stylized bus that toured to promote GM vehicles.

"Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — bottom image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of Oakland County.

7. "Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — bottom image

The Fisher Body plant under construction in Pontiac, 1922.

"Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — top right image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of General Motors.

8. "Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — top right image

The Fisher brothers in 1922. From left: Edward, Alfred, William, Charles, Frederick and Lawrence. Frederick, Charles and Alfred were the founders of Fisher Body in 1908.

"Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — right image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.

9. "Body by Fisher": A Standard of Excellence in Pontiac Marker — right image

The luxurious Fisher Building, designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn, was the Fisher family's gift to Detroit in 1928. It was built with proceeds from the sale of Fisher Body to GM.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,174 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 30, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.