Center City in Toledo in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Willys-Overland Finishing Plant

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 30, 2021

1. Willys-Overland Finishing Plant Marker

Inscription. Since 2004, the building at 14th and Adams Streets has been the home of the Toledo School for the Arts. The Willys-Overland Corporation erected the building c. 1916 to finish, ship, and sell the company's cars. The popular Whippet and other models were delivered here to a second story loading dock from the Willys plant along what became Jeep Parkway. Vehicles were displayed behind floor-to-ceiling windows in a first floor showroom. The firm of Mills, Rhines, Bellman, and Nordoff designed the building and others in Toledo during the first third of the 20th century. In 1908, John North Willys (1873-1935) consolidated his company's automobile production in Toledo. By 1912, Willys-Overland sales were second only to the Ford Motor Company's. The company's most famous product is the Jeep, which transported Allied service members from WWII to the 1980s and was a precursor to the sports utility vehicle.

Erected 2019 by Toledo School for the Arts and The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 67-48.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 41°

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39.417′ N, 83° 32.582′ W. Marker is in Toledo, Ohio, in Lucas County. It is in Center City. Marker is at the intersection of Adams Street and 14th Street, on the right when traveling east on Adams Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 14th Street, Toledo OH 43604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Toledo's Memorial Hall Cornerstone (approx. ¼ mile away); The First Y's Men's Club (approx. ¼ mile away); Toledo's First High School / Toledo-Lucas County Public Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Toledo’s Canals (approx. 0.3 miles away); 6th Ohio Vol. Infantry Memorial Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away); William McKinley Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lucas County (approx. 0.3 miles away); War Savings Stamps (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toledo.

Also see . . . Years 1940-49. The heyday of the Jeep. World War II. (Submitted on May 2, 2021.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 30, 2021

2. Willys-Overland Finishing Plant Marker

This view is from the Adams Street side of the building.

Willys-Overland Finishing Plant image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 30, 2021

3. Willys-Overland Finishing Plant

This view is from the 14th Street side of the plant, which is now the Toledo School for the Arts.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 355 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on January 30, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.