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Group Wants to Open Old Ford Plant for Tours

by Fran Golden Subscribe to Fran Golden's postsPosted Aug 27th 2010 09:09 AM

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Tourists may soon be able to visit a historically significant Ford Motor Co. plant in Highland Park, Mich., if a community development group has its way.

The plant once turned out millions of Model Ts and was designed by noted industrial architect Albert Kahn, known as the "architect of Detroit."

Plans are for the Woodward Avenue Action Association to buy and renovate part of the complex and turn it into a visitor center for Detroit-area auto tourism.

The plant was home to a moving assembly line that revolutionized the auto industry. It was also the first place to pay an average daily $5 minimum wage.

During World War II, the Highland Park facility was used for military production.

"It was quite a unique building," says Bob Kreipke, Ford's corporate historian. "For a number of years, it was the largest inside manufacturing facility in the world."

Heather Carmona, the association's executive director, says the 20th-century plant is particularly relevant as Detroit and the U.S. auto industry try to recover from years of struggles.

"That rebirth we can use and tie to the history of the building," Carmona says.

Ford, which is headquartered in Dearborn, sold the complex decades ago to a private company but still uses part of the facility for storage. Other companies also use sections of the plant.



Photo, dok1, flickr
Filed Under: News

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tlooneylady

Do the math and learn how many Model a's that was in a day. Then..........think if or not we have that much drive in this day and time. I think people better get rid of the lazies and go to work. Do not blame it on any one. Your the responsible one.

August 30 2010 at 4:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tlooneylady

I am in the MAFCA [ Model A Ford Club of America] WE are building a museum up there.They built 5 m A's in 4 years. 28 thru 31. There were apx. 15 M model T's

August 30 2010 at 4:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Donny

This would be so cool. I just hope they don't charge a fortune to go there. The Ford Piquette Avenue plant costs $10 to go to visit and there isn't much to see. Make it worth the visit and I will be there.

August 29 2010 at 10:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
charlie

They should to give America an idea on how hard our factory wokers work even in the beginning. Maybe they will start buying more American vehicles to ignite the economy. Cars are the backbone of industry and mfg. in this country. when they struggle so does tool and die , trucking , engineering , business' around the plants. I wish the government would limit the amount of vehicles allowed in this country and anything brought over use at least 50 % parts made here in The U.S.A. Makes me sick when people blame the unions , it is the politicians and greedy ceo's That stalled this economy along with the high price of oil and lobbyists preventing alternative fuel i.e. hydrogen That is EV friendly and readily available. The tech is there for it and alternative to coal electric . If we eliminated lobbying we would bve much better off

August 29 2010 at 9:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steven R. Russell

Why not?

My father is a retired missionary pilot to Panama, Central America, and when he was flying, his mission board was headquartered in Detroit.

Dad brought me up to the States with him in 1967, at the age of 11, and he took me on a tour of a Ford plant in the Detroit area, which at that time, was building the Ford Mustang and the Mercury Cougar on the same assembly line. It was quite exciting for an 11 year old boy.

Dad also took me on a tour of a GoodYear tire plant somewhere here in the US.

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land"
(2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV).

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!"
(Psalm 33:12 ESV).

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34 ESV).

So let's do it, folks.

With all our national and global problems, let's get right with God, and watch Him work!

August 29 2010 at 8:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Steven R. Russell's comment
Rick

Steve....you holy-roller types make me sick. You all never miss an opportunity to spew your nonsense. This article has absolutely nothing to do with religion. Sure, you were (or are) a crack head and then you "saw the light". Good for you, just keep it to yourself!

August 30 2010 at 5:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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