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

Birthplace of Ford Automobile

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 3, 2021

1. Birthplace of Ford Automobile Marker

Inscription. This marker commemorates the birthplace of the Ford Motor car. Here in 1892, Henry Ford began experimenting with the motorized vehicle in his workshop, a small one-story brick structure, once located on this site. His invention was quite simple compared to today’s automobiles. It consisted of a two-cylinder machine, mounted in a light frame geared to bicycle wheels. That unpretentious auto was the start of the Ford Motor Company, which played a major part in the automobile industry that changed the face of Michigan and the world.

Erected 1980 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number S62.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 42° 20.082′ N, 83° 3.184′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. It is at the intersection of Bagley Street and West Grand River Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Bagley Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Bagley Street, Detroit MI 48226, 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: Grand Army of the Republic Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edison Memorial Fountain

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(about 800 feet away); Rosa Parks Transit Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); Theater District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Women's City Club of Detroit (approx. 0.2 miles away); David Whitney Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hazen S. Pingree (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vernor's Ginger Ale (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 3, 2021

2. Birthplace of Ford Automobile Marker

Located at entrance to The Michigan Building

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 881 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.