Wyandotte in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Shipbuilding
Wyandotte, Michigan
— The Museum in the Streets —
In 1871, Eber Ward, who had earlier founded the Eureka Iron Co., was instrumental in building a large shipbuilding facility on the Detroit River between Pine and Orchard streets.
Over the next 51 years, renowned marine architect Frank E. Kirby and his brother F. A. "Joe” Kirby (pictured on the right in the smaller photo) oversaw the construction of 212 iron and steel vessels at this site.
Under the names Detroit Dry Dock Co. and Detroit Shipbuilding Co., hulls for tugs, freighters, ocean vessels and excursion steam- ers, including the Tashmoo, the Put-in-Bay and the Boblo boat S. S. Columbia, were built here. Hulls were towed to Detroit to be fitted with boilers and upper works.
The freighter Wyandotte, launched in 1907, was the world's first boat constructed as a self- unloader.
Ship launchings were festive occasions. Crowds gathered to cheer as ships, some over 300 feet in length, slid down the ways and into the water with a mighty splash. The launching of the Angeline in 1899 is pictured.
The shipyard experienced economic cycles of boom and bust. During World War I, thousands of workers toiled here, but by 1920, business was sporadic. The facility closed in 1922. Some operations were moved to Detroit and others to Lorain, Ohio.
Erected by The Wyandotte Historical Society. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 42° 11.861′ N, 83° 9.09′ W. Marker is in Wyandotte, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker is on Biddle Avenue near Pine Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3509 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte MI 48192, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Police Station (a few steps from this marker); The Wyandot Indians (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wyandott Totem Pole (approx. 0.2 miles away); Biddle North of Eureka (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Nine Lives of 3225 Biddle Avenue (approx. ¼ mile away); Marx Opera House (approx. ¼ mile away); Milkins Jewelers (approx. ¼ mile away); Neisner's Dime Store (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wyandotte.
More about this marker. This is the 11th marker in a series of 16 on the historical walking tour of Wyandotte.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.