Canton in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A Ford Village Industry
in Cherry Hill Village
At Cherry Hill Village, Henry Ford did something different.
In front of you, at the southwest corner of Cherry Hill and Ridge Roads, was one of his "village industries," small factory sites which produced Ford parts with special local workers. Starting in the early 1940s, this plant employed disabled World War II veterans to make car locks. Over time, Ford hired more than 12,000 disabled people to work in the village industries throughout the region.
Mr. Ford made other changes here.
He renovated the nearby creamery, to the south of the factory, into a dormitory to house many of the disabled workers. He also bought and operated the one-room Cherry Hill Shool, behind you.
You Auto Know
Henry Ford visited this Cherry Hill Village factory regularly and ate breakfast with the veterans.
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list.
Location. 42° 18.375′ N, 83° 32.22′ W. Marker is in Canton, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker is at the intersection of Cherry Hill Road and School House Road, on the right when traveling west on Cherry Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50530 Cherry Hill Road, Canton MI 48187, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cherry Hill School (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherry Hill Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherry Hill Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherry Hill Cemetery (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Cherry Hill Cemetery (about 500 feet away); Cherry Hill United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Palmer Shed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Farming in Canton (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.
Also see . . . Ford’s veterans-only factory slated for restoration. Article in Hemmings Daily (The World's Leading Classic Car News Source). (Submitted on March 10, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 819 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 12, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.