Dearborn in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Business Pioneers
on Morley Avenue
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 31, 2016
1. Business Pioneers on Morley Avenue Marker
This Morley Avenue neighborhood has a special history.
In the early 1800s, the U.S. government purchased this land near the Rouge River for a frontier military reserve and arsenal. When the arsenal closed in 1875, the land was sold and subdivided for development. Many of Dearborn's early business entrepreneurs and prominent personalities built homes in the neighborhood in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many of their homes still stand in the Morley Avenue Residential Area.
You Auto Know
In 1932, the Dearborn General Hospital caught fire, and the John Daly home on Morley Avenue was used as a temporary hospital.
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 42° 18.421′ N, 83° 15.038′ W. Marker is in Dearborn, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker is at the intersection of Morley Avenue and Morley Court, on the right when traveling east on Morley Avenue. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Charles A. Kandt House (a few steps from this marker); Rouge River Water Quality Improvements (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rhythm of Radio (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bryant Branch Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Westward Welcome (approx. ¼ mile away); U.S. Arsenal Officers' - Surgeons' Quarters and Barracks 1833 - 1875 (approx. 0.3 miles away); U.S. Arsenal 1833 - 1875 (approx. 0.3 miles away); U.S. Arsenal-Sutler's Shop (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dearborn.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 31, 2016
2. Left image
Dr. Edward Snow, at left, in 1892 at the federal arsenal site. Dr. Snow served as the medical doctor at the arsenal, and he here visits the arsenal surgeon's quarters as they are torn down. After 1875, the arsenal property was sold for private development. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 31, 2016
3. Upper middle image
Elmer Trowbridge, left, and Louis Howe in the doorway of the L. W. Howe Funeral Home, about 1898. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 31, 2016
4. Lower middle image
The Cameron home. William J. Cameron was an editor, writer and broadcaster who worked closely with Henry Ford. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 31, 2016
5. Upper right image
The Lapham home. Samuel Lapham was a banker in Dearborn and an investor in the short-lived Detroit Dearborn Automobile Company.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 31, 2016
6. Lower right image
The William Ford home. William Ford was the younger brother of Henry Ford. He was an executive at Fordson Tractor and in 1922 was Dearborn chief of police. Photo courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 11, 2016
7. Business Pioneers on Morley Avenue Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 31, 2016
8. Cameron Home
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 31, 2016
9. Lapham Home
Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 2, 2016
10. William Ford Home
The William Ford home is just south of Morley Avenue on South Brady Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 376 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on October 11, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
