Ford Motor Company Brooklyn Plant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ford Motor Company Brooklyn Plant
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| Location | 221 Mill St., Brooklyn, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1938 |
| NRHP reference No. | 100000532 |
| Added to NRHP | January 12, 2017 |
The Ford Motor Company Brooklyn Plant is an old factory building in Brooklyn, Michigan. It stands at 221 Mill Street. This historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. This means it's a special place that is important to American history.
Contents
History of the Brooklyn Ford Plant
Early Days and Henry Ford's Vision
The land where the plant now stands has a long history. In 1832, a man named Calvin Swain bought this property. He later built a gristmill there, which was a factory for grinding grain. This original mill burned down around 1912.
Years later, in 1921, the famous car maker Henry Ford bought the land. He didn't use it right away. But in 1938, he decided to build a new factory on the site. The Ford Motor Company Brooklyn Plant officially opened its doors in 1939.
What the Plant Made
When the plant first opened, it was a busy place. Up to 130 people worked there. They made important parts for cars, like horn buttons and starter switches. These small parts were crucial for making Ford cars work.
The Plant During World War II
During World War II, many factories in America helped with the war effort. The Brooklyn Ford Plant was one of them. Instead of car parts, workers began making brass spark plug bushings. These special parts were used in B-24 bombers, which were important airplanes during the war.
After the War and Closing Down
After World War II ended, the plant went back to making car parts. Workers once again produced horn buttons and starter switches. This continued until 1954. Then, the factory changed what it made again. It started producing armrests and lamp lenses for cars.
The Ford Motor Company Brooklyn Plant finally closed its doors in 1967. After it closed, the building had a few different owners. It was used by a company called Industrial Automotive Products. Later, it even housed a collection of old Model T cars! For a while, it was also home to a company that researched alternative fuels.
In 2014, Daniel and Samantha Ross bought the building. They planned to turn it into a place called the Old Irish Mill, with an Irish theme. However, their plans for funding didn't work out in 2018. The building remains a significant part of Brooklyn, Michigan's history.
