Dearborn in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Making Moves
Transportation in Dearborn
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 10, 2016
1. Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn Marker
Dearborn has long been a transportation hub,
first by water and land, later by rail, air and automobile. The Rouge and Detroit rivers provided water transport to the Great Lakes. Major overland routes included the Sauk Trail (later the Chicago Road and now Michigan Avenue), followed in the 1830s by the Michigan Central Railroad.
Auto and truck traffic on Michigan Avenue,
Telegraph Road and I-94 has connected Dearborn with destinations in all directions. Air transportation first arrived in 1925 at Henry Ford's Dearborn Airport and thrives today at nearby Detroit Metro Airport.
You Auto Know
The United States government spent $250,00 in 1825 to plan and build the Chicago Road, from Detroit through Dearborn to Fort Dearborn (Chicago).
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 42° 18.5′ N, 83° 14.413′ W.
this page online
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 Viceroyalty of New France and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S. Arsenal 1839-1875 Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); U. S. Arsenal - - - Armory (approx. 0.2 miles away); U.S. Arsenal-Sutler's Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Military Reserve (approx. 0.2 miles away); Michigan Soldiers Trained at U.S. Arsenal During Civil War (approx. Ό mile away); Commandant's Quarters (approx. Ό mile away); U.S. Arsenal Officers' - Surgeons' Quarters and Barracks 1833 - 1875
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 10, 2016
2. Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn Marker — upper left image
The steamship Argo supplied the federal arsenal in Dearborn by travel up the Rouge River to Michigan Avenue. Image courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Other markers no longer nearby. Orville L. Hubbard, LLB (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Richard Gardner House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. Marker was moved. It was originally located at a trailhead of the Rouge River Gateway Trail (42.308370N, -83.236534W) along Michigan Avenue (U.S. Highway 12), 0.3 miles southeast.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 10, 2016
3. Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn Marker — lower left image
Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, 1925. Michigan Avenue (U. S. 12), or "the Old Chicago Road," provides an uninterrupted route for travel from the center of Detroit to Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 10, 2016
4. Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn Marker — top center image
The Ford Tri-Motor aircraft, a common sight in the 1920s at Ford Airport in Dearborn. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 10, 2016
5. Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn Marker — center image
1932 Ford bus for the Dearborn Coach Company. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 10, 2016
6. Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn Marker — bottom center image
Dearborn had several electric trolley and bus systems, some to transport employees to the Rouge Plant, some to provide access to Wayne and Detroit. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 10, 2016
7. Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn Marker — top right image
The dirigible Los Angeles mooring at Ford Airport in 1926. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 10, 2016
8. Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn Marker — right center image
The Michigan Central Railroad Station along tracks running parallel to Michigan Avenue through Dearborn. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, March 2, 2023
9. Making Moves Marker
Marker has been relocated to the museum office of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 10, 2016
10. Original location of the Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn marker
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 7, 2019
11. Missing Making Moves: Transportation in Dearborn Marker
The marker was removed during the Wayne County and Alliance of Rouge Communities' Henry Ford Estate Dam Fishway Habitat Restoration Project.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 755 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on March 3, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 14, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 9. submitted on March 3, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 10. submitted on August 14, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 11. submitted on January 7, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
