Dearborn in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Schaefer Building
Art Drawing Commerce
Photographed By Joel S., July 21, 2016
1. The Schaefer Building Marker
The intersection of Michigan Avenue and Schaefer Road
has been important in metropolitan Detroit's history. In its early days it was a rest stop on the road between Detroit and Chicago. Joseph Schaefer built the Six Mile House tavern at the northeast corner in 1864; it operated for more than 50 years. On the same spot, his son John built the beautiful Art Deco-Style Schaefer Building in 1930. It solidified the Michigan/Schaefer area's importance as one of Michigan's largest business districts outside downtown Detroit at the time.
YOU AUTO KNOW
Schaefer Building architect Louis Kamper also designed other prominent Detroit buildings, including the Book Cadillac Hotel in 1924 and the Book Tower in 1926.
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 42° 19.302′ N, 83° 10.567′ W. Marker is in Dearborn, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker is at the intersection of Schaefer Road and Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12), on the right when traveling
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dearborn City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Dearborn Town Hall Complex / Orville L. Hubbard (within shouting distance of this marker); Dearborn War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Neighborhood (about 500 feet away); Dedicated to Christopher Columbus (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fordson High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Ford Rotunda (approx. 0.6 miles away); Henry Ford Birthplace (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dearborn.
Photographed By Joel S., July 21, 2016
2. Schaefer Building Marker
Looking north along Schaefer Road. The cross street is Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12). The Schaefer Building is at the northeast corner.
Photographed By Joel S., July 21, 2016
3. Upper left image
Caption: The Six Mile House tavern, about 1890. Six miles out the Chicago Road (Michigan Avenue) from downtown Detroit, it was owned and operated by Joseph Schaefer. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel S., July 21, 2016
4. Middle left image
Caption: The Schaefer family, about 1900. At left is Joseph Schaefer, who built the Six Mile House tavern. At the upper right is his son John Schaefer, who took over the family business in 1918, catering to thousands of hungry Ford Rouge Plant workers. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel S., July 21, 2016
5. Lower left image
Caption: John Schaefer (with shovel) at the groundbreaking for the new building in 1929. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel S., July 21, 2016
6. Middle image
Caption: Note the busy sidewalks in this 1940s photo! Built for a cost of $300,000, the Schaefer Building was designed by architect Louis Kamper in the Art Deco style. Photo courtesy of the East Dearborn DDA.
Photographed By Joel S., July 21, 2016
7. Right image
Caption: Schaefer Building, 1950s, with third-floor addition along Michigan Avenue. The building housed major stores and offices, and has been lovingly restored for current and future tenants. Photo courtesy of the East Dearborn DDA.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 933 times since then and 129 times this year. Last updated on August 9, 2018, by Lawrence Schaefer Hayes of Johnson City, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 26, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
