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Group has big hopes for Model T factory

Detroit Free Press -- BY MARK PHELAN
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

American society as we know it was born a few feet off Woodward Avenue in Highland Park.

The Highland Park plant is where the mainspring of the 20th Century was wound," said Bob Casey, John and Horace Dodge curator of the transportation collection at the Henry Ford museum.

Thousands drive past the historic Ford Highland Park Model T Assembly plant every day, unaware of its significance. Now an online contest could make the plant a magnet for visitors to the Detroit area.

The Woodward Avenue Action Association has nominated the plant for This Place Matters, a national online competition for a $25,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. You can vote for the Highland Park plant at

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Submitted Sep 07, 2010 By: creeklin

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OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:10,798 Points:1,250,520 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 1:36:19 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse Build some new model Ts with some safety improvements; and replacement parts for those of us keeping 100 years old vehicles on the road.
kfinto All-Star Author Texas Posts:614 Points:1,542,200 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 10:33:44 AM Ignore kfinto Report Abuse A factory where Model T's were built is still standing? What has it been used for during the past 80 years?
vandamme Champion Author New York Posts:1,018 Points:117,800 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 8:17:41 AM Ignore vandamme Report Abuse It would be better for Highland Park if they tore it down and built a factory employing thousands. Wind turbines? Fuel cells? Small cars that aren't garbage?? Or a simple, sturdy, reliable vehicle like the Model T was.
PeteOhki Veteran Author Honolulu Posts:309 Points:307,375 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 7:32:53 AM Ignore PeteOhki Report Abuse Gee, I can see how people can overlook that building from the photo. It almost looks like a rundown modern building. Did it go through several renovations? I wonder who owns it now?
torn8owx Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,313 Points:577,515 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 6:48:55 AM Ignore torn8owx Report Abuse Interesting, but really gas price price related?
NekoSJG Champion Author San Jose Posts:3,235 Points:571,030 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:48:19 PM Ignore NekoSJG Report Abuse I was so hoping it was about making model T's again...
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:5,090 Points:1,091,100 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 8:21:19 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse The Highland Park plant is an important piece of American history.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:43,373 Points:1,712,330 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 4:51:52 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse 52MPG wrote: >>"Henry Ford revolutionized factory work by raising pay to an unheard-of $5 a day in 1914.% >>Ford did it because he was sick of other manufacturers stealing his workers. He more than >>doubled their pay, slashed his employee turnover rate and sowed the seeds for a modern >>consumer society where people can afford to buy the products they make." >So it was an economic decision? No unions? Ford was a very hard place to work. It would be called a "sweatshop" now. Also, as is the case today, Ford was strongly influenced by members of the founding family. Alan Mulally is smart enough to make his business case to the family before he goes to the board.
sabob Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:7,421 Points:675,840 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 3:17:15 PM Ignore sabob Report Abuse If it's only half as good as the Henry Ford museum it'll be well worth seeing, go for it!!!
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:11,274 Points:2,248,060 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 2:57:57 PM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse interesting idea
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:4,914 Points:1,278,480 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 1:32:49 PM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse "Henry Ford revolutionized factory work by raising pay to an unheard-of $5 a day in 1914. Ford did it because he was sick of other manufacturers stealing his workers. He more than doubled their pay, slashed his employee turnover rate and sowed the seeds for a modern consumer society where people can afford to buy the products they make." So it was an economic decision? No unions?
focusvt Champion Author Detroit Posts:5,057 Points:1,135,920 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 1:12:13 PM Ignore focusvt Report Abuse Detroit has a lot of automotive history
uglytom Champion Author Florida Posts:5,678 Points:1,188,960 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:53:53 PM Ignore uglytom Report Abuse Good thinking!
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:8,502 Points:821,700 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 12:21:27 PM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse This may be a good thing as the way of making a living in the USA is changing.