Highland Park Plant, Ford Motor Company
Map
Description
Designed mostly by noted industrial architect Albert Kahn, this plant is considered the birthplace of the moving assembly line. It was in operation from 1910 to 1927. -- National Historic Landmark statement of significance, June 2, 1978A Michigan Historical Marker here reads: Highland Park Plant
The Ford Motor Company Highland Park Plant was built between 1909 and 1920 on the lot bounded by Woodward, Manchester and Oakland Avenues, and three railroad tracks. An office building, a garage and several machine shops once stood on this portion of the site. At this plant, Ford instituted the" five dollar day," a generous wage for the time. In factory "H", located directly east of here, he began mass producing automobiles on moving assembly lines. Detroit architect Albert Kahn designed the complex, which included offices, factories, a power plant and a foundry.* In 1927, Ford shifted auto production to the River Rouge Plant in Dearborn, limiting Highland Park to truck and tractor manufacturing. The Highland Park Plant is a National Historic Landmark. *Although Albert Kahn is credited with the design of the Highland Park plant it was in conjunction with Ford's 'Lieutenant's', and mainly Edward Gray, Ford's Chief Engineer. Gray also designed the first power plants for Highland Park.
National Register information
- Status
- Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on February 6, 1973
- Reference number
- 73000961
- Areas of significance
- Industry; Engineering; Transportation; Architecture
- Level of significance
- National
- Evaluation criteria
- A - Event; C - Design/Construction
- Property type
- Building
- Historic function
- Manufacturing facility
- Current function
- Manufacturing facility
- Periods of significance
- 1900-1924; 1925-1949
- Significant years
- 1910; 1927
- Number of properties
- Contributing buildings: 14
Contributing structures: 6
Update Log
- June 26, 2015: Updated by Paul Rentz: Role of Edward Gray
- October 22, 2012: New photo from Rattrak
- June 20, 2012: New photo from wdzinc
Sources
- Andrew Wood
- Rattrak
- Paul Rentz
- National Register database - Reference number 73000961 (Search for documents)
- National Historic Landmark information
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