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156 entries match your criteria. Entries 101 through 156 are listed. ⊲ Previous 100                                              

 
 

MotorCities National Heritage Area Historical Markers

The MotorCities National Heritage Area, designated by Congress in 1998, celebrates the auto industry and its impact on the Detroit area, southeastern Michigan, and communities as far away as Saginaw, Flint, Lansing, and Kalamazoo.
 
By Joel Seewald, November 10, 2016
Upper left image
101 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Canton, Cherry Hill Village — A Ford Village Industry — in Cherry Hill Village —
On Cherry Hill Road at School House Road, on the right when traveling west on Cherry Hill Road.
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 . . . — — Map (db m99544) HM
102 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Canton, Cherry Hill Village — Cherry Hill Cemetery — Settlers, Soldiers, and Statesmen —
On South Ridge Road 0.2 miles south of Cherry Hill Road, on the left when traveling south.
Walking among the headstones of Canton's pioneer families, one cannot escape their contribution to American history. You see the Hustons, the Lewises, the Gills, and veterans from every war, beginning with the War of 1812 through modern . . . — — Map (db m99580) HM
103 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Canton, Cherry Hill Village — Cherry Hill Inn — An Enduring Landmark —
On Cherry Hill Road at South Ridge Road, on the left when traveling west on Cherry Hill Road.
This beautiful Italianate-style Inn was built by Abner Hitchcock in 1866 on speculation that a railroad spur would come through Cherry Hill and travelers would need a place to stay. The railroad never came, and Hitchcock lost the building . . . — — Map (db m99509) HM
104 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Canton, Cherry Hill Village — Cherry Hill Village — Community at the Crossroads —
On Cherry Hill Road at Constitution Street, on the left when traveling west on Cherry Hill Road.
Cherry Hill Village originated in the 1830s at the crossroads of Cherry Hill and Ridge Roads. As the economic and social center for the area, local families came here to trade at the general store, to pick up mail, to get shoes for . . . — — Map (db m99621) HM
105 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — A House in a Tree —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Henry Ford built a large tree house approximately 200 yards beyond this point in a large oak. It is said Mr. Ford enjoyed its rustic natural setting, and he and his grandchildren used the tree house as a retreat. Archival records indicate Mr. . . . — — Map (db m145798) HM
106 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — A Military Reserve — in Dearbornville —
On Monroe Street at Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12), on the right when traveling north on Monroe Street.
Dearborn was an outpost on the western frontier Because of expansion from Detroit and Indian disturbances to the west, in 1833 the federal government began construction of an arsenal on its military reserve land near where the Sauk Trail . . . — — Map (db m98178) HM
107 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — A Trail Garden —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Parallel to the Great Meadow, the Trail Garden offered visitors a more intimate garden-walk experience. As it meandered through shrub borders and woodland, the Trail Garden was full of surprises. Large semi-circular flower beds were planted with . . . — — Map (db m96436)
108 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Business Pioneers — on Morley Avenue —
On Morley Avenue at Morley Court, on the right when traveling east on Morley Avenue.
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 . . . — — Map (db m98620) HM
109 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Compost Then and Now —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Then Every year in March, when the Fords lived here, truckloads of sod from nearby fields were brought to Fair Lane along with cow manure from farms. These items were mixed in layers with grass clippings and leaves. Two months later, this . . . — — Map (db m145831) HM
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110 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Dearborn City Hall — A Building for City Leadership —
On Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12) at Neckel Street, on the right when traveling east on Michigan Avenue.
East Downtown Dearborn is "the neighborhood the Rouge Plant built," and its fortunes have been tied to Ford Motor Company. Ford taxes generated much of the income used to build the impressive Georgian Revival-style building, which opened on . . . — — Map (db m96996) HM
111 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Ford and Dearborn — Building a Business, Building a City —
On Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12) at Continental Drive, on the right when traveling east on Michigan Avenue.
Henry Ford built the City of Dearborn His business interests drove the consolidation of the City of Fordson and the City of Dearborn in 1929. To the east were the Ford Rouge Plant and the Ford Administration Building. To the west were . . . — — Map (db m96992) HM
112 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Ford's Fairways — at the Dearborn Country Club —
On North Military Street at Sheridan Street, on the right when traveling south on North Military Street.
It was a gift for his hometown. Henry Ford developed an 18-hole golf course at Outer Drive and Military Street that opened in 1925. With the course designed by Donald Ross and the clubhouse designed by architect Albert Kahn, Ford wanted to . . . — — Map (db m98085) HM
113 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — From Farmland to Great Estate —
On Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road, on the left when traveling west.
Once open farmland, the osage-orange tree hedge on the right still exists. It dates from the 1800's farming community that formed the boyhood environment of Henry Ford. Landscape designer Jens Jensen told the Fords he would transform the land back " . . . — — Map (db m89482) HM
114 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — From State Fair to Fair Lane/Peony Garden —
On Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
From State Fair to Fair Lane Henry Ford had the miniature farmhouse, along with a miniature barn, steam engine and threshing machine, constructed for the 1924 Michigan State Fair to educate children living in an urban area about life on a . . . — — Map (db m96264) HM
115 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Giving Nature a Hand —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
The manufacturing technology developed by Henry Ford and the auto industry affected all aspects of life in early 20th century Michigan. Among the labor-saving items pioneered in the state during that period were specialized valves for watering . . . — — Map (db m89361) HM
116 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Harnessing Nature's Energy —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
The estate's powerhouse was the first of more than 20 hydroelectric plants built by Henry Ford. Two direct current (DC) hydroelectric generators were used to change the force of the Rouge River into electrical energy to power light bulbs, pumps, . . . — — Map (db m145852) HM
117 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — In Honor of Friendship —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
In 1916, the famed naturalist and writer John Burroughs, along with Henry Ford, laid the cornerstone of the Jens Jensen-designed grotto (an artificial recess or structure made to resemble a natural cave). Rocks were brought from the upstate New . . . — — Map (db m146137) HM
118 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Making Moves — Transportation in Dearborn —
On South Brady Street at Garrison Street, on the right when traveling north on South Brady Street.
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 . . . — — Map (db m217374) HM
119 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Nature vs. Nurture —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
In 1926, a 2.5-acre rose garden was designed for this meadow, with the help of landscape architect Herbert Kellaway and rosarian Harriet Foote. Once completed, the garden contained approximately 10,000 rose plants of 400 varieties and cost more than . . . — — Map (db m98927) HM
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120 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Nature's Refrigeration —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Prior to refrigerators, the constant cool temperature of the earth surrounding a root cellar was sufficient to preserve summer produce for winter consumption. This root cellar was used to store apples, pears, onions, carrots and potatoes grown on . . . — — Map (db m145785) HM
121 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — On the River —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Where you are standing now was once an open channel to the Rouge River. The Fords would pilot their boat, the Callie B, out of the boathouse to the river. The Ford grandchildren would harbor small boats here, as well. Conveniently, Mrs. . . . — — Map (db m88431) HM
122 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Out in the Orchard —
On Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road, on the right when traveling east.
Fruit orchards were planted in various locations around the estate consisting of apples, pears, cherries, and other varieties of fruit. The open lawn next to the weeping beech tree was previously an apple orchard with fruit favored by Mr. Ford. . . . — — Map (db m96261) HM
123 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Planning for People — in the Ford Homes Historic Neighborhood —
On Park Street at Haigh Street, on the right when traveling west on Park Street.
This distinctive neighborhood was born in 1919 and 1920. In those years, Henry Ford built 156 homes for sale to his Dearborn Fordson Tractor Plant employees. The two-story, three- and four-bedroom homes were built with the most current . . . — — Map (db m120397) HM
124 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Rhythm of Radio — in Dearborn —
On Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12) 0.1 miles west of Howard Street.
Radio has a strong tradition in Dearborn. In 1934, Henry Ford inspired the "Ford Sunday Evening Hour" on Detroit's WWJ - AM radio. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra appeared on the broadcast regularly and became the nation's first radio . . . — — Map (db m98481) HM
125 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Rock Garden Masterpiece —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
In 1915, landscape designer Jens Jensen created a picturesque rock garden masterpiece for Henry and Clara Ford. His design was engineered to work with nature and be relatively maintenance-free. (Left Photo Caption) In the early 1920's, . . . — — Map (db m89338) HM
126 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Shipbuilding Traditions — Along the Rouge River —
On Vernor Highway at Riverside Drive, on the right on Vernor Highway.
Long before cars were built along the lower Rouge River in Dearborn, the site was home to shipbuilding. Early 1700s French settlers established a small shipyard on the Rouge River at Baby Creek. The British later used the same site to build . . . — — Map (db m99189) HM
127 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — The Bur Oak and the Vegetable Garden —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Aldo Leopold, pioneer wildlife ecologist, once said, "He who owns a veteran bur oak owns more than a tree. He owns an historical library, and a reserved seat in the theatre of evolution. To the discerning eye, his farm is labeled with the . . . — — Map (db m145829) HM
128 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — The Carver Lab — for the Scientist's Special Work —
Near Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12) 0.4 miles east of Brady Street, on the right when traveling east.
One of history's great scientists worked here. Renowned scientist George Washington Carver and Henry Ford became friends in 1936. Both were interested in developing synthetic rubber and plastics from soybeans, peanuts and cotton. Ford built . . . — — Map (db m120318) HM
129 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — The Ford Rotunda — Memories of a Time and Place —
On Schaefer Road, on the left when traveling north.
The Ford Rotunda is a lost landmark that is still remembered fondly. Architect Albert Kahn — who designed many Ford factories and buildings — designed the building for Ford's exhibit at the 1933-34 "Century of Progress" World's . . . — — Map (db m120457) HM
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130 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — The Hunger March — Labor's Historic Confrontation —
On Dix Avenue at Ferney Street, on the left when traveling north on Dix Avenue.
Thousands of unemployed auto workers and union organizers gathered in bitter cold on March 7, 1932 near the Fort Street Bridge, in the despair of the Great Depression. They intended to march to the Ford Rouge Plant, to present to Henry Ford . . . — — Map (db m176754) HM
131 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — The Neighborhood — that the Rouge Plant Built —
On Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12) at Maple Street, on the right when traveling east on Michigan Avenue.
There has always been a lot to stop for here. In the 1800s, the Six Mile Inn was a rural rest stop here along the Chicago Road (today's Michigan Avenue) from Detroit. But the development nearby in the early 1900s of Ford Motor Company's . . . — — Map (db m85498) HM
132 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — The Path of the Setting Sun —
Near Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road.
Guests of the Fords came from all walks of life, and the Great Meadow that greeted them remains. Its designer, Jens Jensen, used thousands of native plantings to create this vista he labeled, "The Path of the Setting Sun-Summer." Every summer . . . — — Map (db m96937) HM
133 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — The Schaefer Building — Art Drawing Commerce —
On Schaefer Road at Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12), on the right when traveling south on Schaefer Road.
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 . . . — — Map (db m121407) HM
134 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — UAW Local 600 — Unionizing Ford Motor Company —
On Dix Avenue at Ferney Street, on the left when traveling north on Dix Avenue.
Conditions were ripe for the rise of unionism in the Depression-ravaged 1930s. Ford Motor Company was the last of the "Big Three" to unionize. The turning point came on May 26, 1937, when Ford security men brutally beat UAW organizers at . . . — — Map (db m120446) HM
135 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Westward Welcome — on the Chicago Road —
On U.S. 12 at Mason Street, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 12.
The Chicago Road was the way to go west from Detroit. After the Erie Canal in New York state opened in 1825, great numbers of Americans searched for their future to the west across the Great Lakes. Many of them traveled on the Chicago Road, . . . — — Map (db m96775) HM
136 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Dearborn — Wyoming Avenue — and the Changing Industrial Landscape —
On Wyoming Avenue at Littlefield Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on Wyoming Avenue.
Wyoming Avenue has a vivid industrial history. Brick-making flourished in the 1800s as companies like Clippert, Haggerty and Mercier took advantage of the area's rich clay deposits. Automakers competing with Ford later came to this east . . . — — Map (db m120434) HM
137 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Detroit, Springwells — Woodmere Cemetery — Finding Early Automotive Pioneers —
On Woodmere Road at West Fort Street, on the left when traveling north on Woodmere Road.
Many fascinating stories are buried here, of people who built Detroit on their fortunes in lumber, real estate, cigar-making, seed, and department stores. Established in 1867 on 250 acres of rural land, Woodmere Cemetery also became the . . . — — Map (db m159974) HM
138 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Grosse Ile — Across the Water — to Stony Island and Beyond —
On East River Road at Grosse Ile Parkway, on the right when traveling south on East River Road.
Stony Island, across the water and quiet now, was a busy place in the past. In the 1870s, when Canada Southern Railroad built a railway to Canada, trains ran on tracks where Grosse Ile Parkway is now and over a bridge to Stony Island. . . . — — Map (db m152752) HM
139 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Grosse Ile — Michigan Central Railroad — Trains in the Life of Grosse Ile —
Near East River Road at Grosse Ile Parkway, on the right when traveling south.
Few islands have been so impacted by transportation. Grosse Ile witnessed shipping on the Detroit River before the Canada Southern railway opened bridge access between the mainland and the island in 1873. Later, Michigan Central Railroad . . . — — Map (db m152702) HM
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140 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Grosse Ile — Rails Through Grosse Ile — with the Canada Southern Railroad —
Near East River Road south of Grosse Ile Parkway, on the right when traveling south.
The Canada Southern Railroad built the first bridge connecting Grosse Ile with the mainland about 1873. To link the agricultural products of the West (via Chicago) with the markets of the East Coast (via Buffalo), the railroad's most direct . . . — — Map (db m152682) HM
141 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Grosse Ile — Recording Movements — at the U. S. Customs House —
Near East River Road at Grosse Ile Parkway, on the left when traveling south.
This building has seen a lot of travel. The U. S. Customs House was built about 1873 by the Canada Southern Railroad along its railroad track, now Grosse Ile Parkway. Along this railway, people and freight traveled both ways across Grosse Ile . . . — — Map (db m152647) HM
142 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Grosse Ile — The End of the Line — at the Grosse Ile Depot —
Near East River Road at Grosee Ile Parkway, on the right when traveling south.
There are clues that this was a railroad depot, like the flat ground area where the train track used to be. Or the angled windows where the station master could watch trains come and go. From this Michigan Central Railroad depot, built in . . . — — Map (db m152655) HM
143 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Grosse Ile — The Livingstone Channel — A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile —
On East River Road at Grosse Ile Parkway, on the right when traveling south on East River Road.
Great Lakes shipping and waterways had to be ready for industry in the early 20th Century. Like roadways on land, the development of harbors and channels were critical to the growth of the economy. By 1906, the Detroit River was the busiest . . . — — Map (db m152767) HM
144 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Grosse Ile — Times of Change — for the Wayne County Bridge —
On Grosse Ile Parkway at Waterway Drive, on the left when traveling west on Grosse Ile Parkway.
Grosse Ile was an isolated farming community, accessible from the mainland only on boats (or ice in the winter) until this bridge was built about 1871. As part of a railroad that was built across Grosse Ile and the Detroit River and into . . . — — Map (db m152542) HM
145 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Livonia — Newburgh Mill — and the Power of the Rouge —
On Edward N. Hines Drive at Newburgh Road, on the left when traveling west on Edward N. Hines Drive.
The Newburgh Mill factory was built on the site of an earlier mill, like other Ford "Village Industries." Bovee Cider Mill used to operate here along the Middle Rouge River, within the thriving village of Newburgh. In 1934, Newburgh Lake . . . — — Map (db m137131) HM
146 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Northville — Northville Valve Plant — Henry Ford's Experiment —
On East Main Street at Cady Street, on the left when traveling east on East Main Street.
In Northville, Henry Ford tried something new. His first "village industry" was established here in 1920, to make valves for Model-Ts and tractors, using the Rouge River for power. He hired local workers, and even selected local children . . . — — Map (db m137792) HM
147 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Northville — Roadside Refreshment — at Northville's Silver Spring Well —
On South Main Street north of Doheny Drive, on the left when traveling south.
It has been a Northville landmark for generations. As far back as 1913, city residents enjoyed cold spring water from the artesian well here, and visitors traveled here to fill their bottles. On the other side of the nearby railroad tracks, . . . — — Map (db m137902) HM
148 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Northville — Taking Flight — with Stinson Aircraft Corporation —
On South Main Street at Cady Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
Detroit was abuzz with aviation fever in the 1920s. Eddie Stinson, a successful aviator and stunt pilot, gained financing from Detroiters to build and test-fly the prototype Stinson Detroiter airplane — the first airplane with an . . . — — Map (db m137695) HM
149 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Northville — Two Tracks in Town — Northville's Electric Streetcars —
On South Griswold Street at East Main Street, on the right when traveling north on South Griswold Street.
There were two electric streetcar lines into Northville from Detroit, both built in 1899. One traveled on track through Farmington, along Eight Mile Road and down Griswold Street. The other came through Plymouth, up Northville Road and . . . — — Map (db m137517) HM
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150 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Plymouth — Gunsolly Carding Mill — and the Rouge River's Rich History —
On Edward N Hines Drive 0.4 miles south of Wilcox Road, on the left when traveling south.
For many years, wool was processed here. The Gunsolly Carding Mill operated here from 1851 to 1890, using Rouge River waterpower and machinery to process and untangle wool for spinning into yarn. Nearby villages of Plymouth and Newburgh . . . — — Map (db m137012) HM
151 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Plymouth — Phoenix Mill — Women in a Village Industry —
On Edward Hines Drive, on the left when traveling south.
Henry Ford wanted only women to work here in this small factory, built in 1922 as one of his Village Industries. The women workers built electrical parts such as voltage meters, light switches and generator cutouts (a form of relay) for . . . — — Map (db m136821) HM
152 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Plymouth — Roadside Development — and the Haggerty Comfort Station —
On Edward Hines Drive west of Haggerty Road, on the right when traveling east.
This comfort station was one of the early public rest stops, and it was a prototype for roadside development. When originally constructed in 1937, this station had a full-time attendant, an information booth and concession stand. Wayne . . . — — Map (db m136913) HM
153 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Wayne — Wayne Companies — Serving the Nation —
On Clinton Street at South Wayne Road, on the right when traveling west on Clinton Street.
Wayne companies have gained nationwide fame here along the railroad tracks. Prouty & Glass began to build carriages and sleighs here in 1888, and became the largest sleigh-maker in the United States. They became a prominent Wayne business, . . . — — Map (db m217355) HM
154 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Wayne — Wayne Industries — Building Transportation —
On Michigan Avenue (U.S. 12) near Heywood Street, on the right when traveling east.
From this building many industries put people in motion. The first was Harroun Motor Car Company, which built more than 3,000 vehicles here from 1915 to 1922. From 1924 to 1927 Gotfredson Truck made heavy duty trucks and bus chassis in this . . . — — Map (db m149713) HM
155 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Westland — "Learning by Doing" — at Ford's Nankin Mill Schoolhouse —
On Ann Arbor Trail at Edward N Hines Drive, on the right when traveling west on Ann Arbor Trail.
Henry Ford established this one-room schoolhouse for children of workers at his nearby Nankin Mill village industry plant producing automotive parts. The rural school operated from 1937 to 1946 as part of Ford's Edison Institute School . . . — — Map (db m96980) HM
156 ► Michigan, Wayne County, Westland — Nankin Millers House — Living on the Rouge River —
Near Ann Arbor Trail 0.2 miles east of Edward N Hines Drive.
It was a short walk to work. This was home to milling families who owned and operated Nankin Mills during its gristmill heyday, from 1842 to 1918. Its Greek Revival style was popular when it was built in 1834. The last farmer living here . . . — — Map (db m96981) HM

156 entries matched your criteria. Entries 101 through 156 are listed above. ⊲ Previous 100
 
 
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Nov. 12, 2026