North Loop in Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Model T Assembly Plant
Built: 1914
| | Historic North Loop | |
Photographed by McGhiever, June 23, 2024
1. Model T Assembly Plant Marker
This plant was designed at a time when the Ford Motor Company used gravity to help build its Model T Cars.
Trains delivered auto parts to the plant's basement, then workers used lifts to hoist the parts to different floors. The first section would be assembled at the top, then slid down a ramp to the next floor where more parts were added, and so on, until they had a fully assembled car on the ground level.
But Ford's invention of the one-level moving assembly line in 1913 meant that this plant was effectively obsolete before it opened. Still, Ford produced more than a half million cars here before opening a new plant in St. Paul in 1925.
Erected by North Loop Neighborhood Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 44° 59.019′ N, 93° 16.679′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is in North Loop. It is at the intersection of N. 5th Avenue and N. 5th Street on N. 5th Avenue. The marker is mounted on the west corner of the building. Touch for map.
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Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bloody Friday in Minneapolis (approx. 0.2 miles away); Buggy Assembly Plant (approx. Ό mile away); Washers & Tools (approx. Ό mile away); Carriages, Crackers & Color TVs (approx. Ό mile away); Lutefisk Processing Plant (approx. Ό mile away); Windmills, Wagons and More (approx. Ό mile away); Glass Factory (approx. Ό mile away); Sunshine Bakery (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.
Also see . . . Loop Back: Ford Plant, Obsolete Before It Even Opened (QR Code on marker).
Photographed by McGhiever, June 23, 2024
2. Model T Assembly Plant Marker on the corner of the building
Photographed by McGhiever, June 23, 2024
3. The former Model T Assembly Plant
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 22, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
