  Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 802 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.140 |
Sven, I found the Briscoe factory Sanborn on page 7 of the OCF, located on Woodward and Baltimore. I wasn't able to read the address on the map, though. I'm not sure how I missed it, also found a about five others that were missing from the db. I finally started to index the photos and Sanborn maps like I've been threatening to do for awhile. I've added a column and am putting the number of the OCF page in it, so there will be separate columns for photos and Sanborns. I'm up to page 9 so far... Another maker I asked about was Detroit Steam Car, no address given, located in the Schlieber Mfg building. While doing the db, I found that Aiw posted a photo of the Schlieber Mfg on page 6 of the OCF, on April 6, 2005, post # 3650. Approaching the first anniversary of this thread on the 21st. See what you started Sven. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
This is probably OT, but what will happen to most of the currently-operating assembly and component plants in a decade or so? Will they continue to be under-utilized warehouses or demoed ruins, overrun by weeds and brush, as evidenced in this thread? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 161 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
I believe the Briscoe building is 12-14 Baltimore. It's hard to read because I didn't take the shot in maximum resoulution. I've learned my lesson. This has only been going on for a year? It feels like two. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 162 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
What page has the most updated LIST? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 803 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.38 |
I've stopped posting the OCF list because it is getting too damn large. I'd guess that the last one posted was around page 13. Aiw has a pdf of it OCF 2.01 on his website. Otherwise, I can send out the current version, OCF 2.4 in Excel db format; email "my username at g.mail.com". There are over 425 entries and climbing, I know a whole bunch of post WWII plants aren't even entered yet. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5277 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
Hornwrecker, e-mail me the latest copy and I'll get it up this weekend. I also need to add in all my Windsor info... I just seem short of time lately  MikeM recent photos? I was just by that plant yesterday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5283 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.156.92.111 |
The latest version of Hornwrecker's great databse is now Online here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 807 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.40.200 |
Thanks A in W, there will be some major corrections and additions to the db soon. Thanks to Raul I've gotten a copy of the "Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942" from the library, and am doing a lot of fact checking. Version 2.4 now has columns indexing the OCF thread, so photos and Sanborn maps can now be found without looking at a lot of pages. Here's a view of Fleetwood that hasn't been posted yet, from WSU. I think that the thermometer sign reads 91*F.  A close-up of the "Body by Fisher", dark blue carrier, that used to be seen around the Motor City.  (Nice to have another page.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3068 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
Is this the Fleetwood Fort Street plant? jjaba, Westsider. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 163 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
I did my library work this past Saturday. This time I had THE LIST with me and it helped identify new finds. I'll post them when I'm done with the labeling and low-rezing and transferring from one computer to another. One find is Leavitt Road is now Federal. Mystery solved! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 808 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.235 |
Jjaba, yes that's the one on Fort. Jjaba needs to refer to the OCF database. Cadillac Fleetwood Plt (1917-80) 261 West End Ave & Fort St., aka Fisher #18, (d) portions demoed in 1993. Sven, glad the db was useful; the next one will have a lot more stuff to research. I look forward to seeing the new maps. Do you happen to have some higher resolution images of the Packard factory, color Sanborns? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bate Member Username: Bate Post Number: 60 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 71.101.227.115 |
Remember, a section of Fort street plant on the west side of West End St. (part w/overhead conveyor)is still standing. Look for Mikem's photos in earlier ocf section. I have a couple of photos on my Flickr site http://flickr.com/photos/55726 612@N00/ This in my recent trip from January. I have more to post, and will do so, as the scanner permits. For some reason the active URL does not work - just paste it. bate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2395 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
From a Fisher Body website:{
I've wondered what this building at the northeast corner of Junction & McGregor was originally. My 1935 directory has a GM advertisment listing all of their plants in Michigan including: Ternstedt Manufacturing Division Factory and General Offices, 6307 W Fort St Shepard Art and Metal Division, 4796 McGregor In another entry in the same directory, it is listed as Ternstedt Mfg Co, Plant 16 (i.e., Fisher Body #16?).    Any idea what Shepard Art (and) Metal did prior to being acquired by Ternstedt/Fisher? Or after? The plant is across Junction from the site of Federal Motor Truck and down the tracks from Cadillac Clark Street. Can you visualize it with square steel windows instead of cinder blocks? Any old building pictures that are unidentified that might be a match? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 810 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.7 |
Well, this might explain a lot about the missing numbers of the Fisher plants. There are many other GM acquisitions, like Detroit Transmission, which we have yet to cover, especially their pre-GM years. I read recently (and somewhere?) that the original Fleetwood factory in PA was torn down last month. Sad indeed. I'm still going through the Standard Catalog, up to O now, and have added a few names and removed others. One name on the list is Michigan (1910), which turns out was a stock scam, and their new factory in Rochester, NY was a small shed in a field! Another Briscoe (1914-21) after he split with Maxwell was in Jackson, and not Detroit. I found an interesting thing under Massnick-Phipps which was mentioned when we discussed Wahl. So far there are some conflicts, but it mentions that they acquired a Wahl factory on E Congress St in 1915. This will probably take a trip to the NAHC downtown to straighten out, if ever. For awhile I thought that this thing might be winding down after one year, but it seems more names keep coming forth. Silly me. Can I change my user name to Sisyphus? (Message edited by Hornwrecker on February 13, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2396 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
More GM addresses for the database from the advertisement, although some are just intersections. Not all inclusive either, just ones we don't have or are identified in some other way: Chevrolet Motor Division - Manufacturing Plants: Gear & Axle, 1840 Holbrook Avenue Forge, 1901 E. Euclid Avenue Experimental, 2112 Holbrook Avenue Ethyl Gasoline Corp: 723 E. Milwaukee Avenue Fisher Body Division - Manufacturing Plants: Pressed Metals, 6231 St. Antoine Street Pressed Metals, Milwaukee & Hastings Fleetwood Division, West End Avenue Garage, 1540 E. Ferry Avenue Theodore & Dequinder Streets (also listed as Fisher 10, 1591 Theodore) Trombley Avenue, West of St. Antoine 601-651 Piquette Avenue Ferry Avenue and Riopelle Frigidaire Division: Detroit Offices, 4584 Maybury Grand Also, Hornwrecker, you asked about Micromatic Hone Corp before the server transfer dumped it. In 1935, have it at: 7401 Dubois and 6535 Russell (branch) And in 1940: 1345-49 E Milwaukee Ave, (punch dept) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5290 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.48.211.242 |
Horwrecker, the Fleetwood plant ended up like the Studebaker plant. It burned to the ground December 24th. I actually just came across an article on it in Autoweek that I ripped out. I'll scan and post. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5291 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.48.211.242 |
Mike my Sandborn map from 1921 shows Fisher Body (un-numbered) at the corner of McGregor & Junction:  ***EDIT*** Upon review Mike, it looks as if the building in your photo is not present in the map from 1921.... (Message edited by aiw on February 13, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5292 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.48.211.242 |
On a later revision, the building shows up, but nameless... This revision is from the late 1940's, GM must have been done with it by then...  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5293 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.48.211.242 |
Here's a mystery factory I have a photo of.  Click the photo for a larger version... I bought this photo on eBay several years ago, the seller thought it was Detroit as the estate they bought it from had lots of papers, etc.. from there, however they couln't give me any help beyond that. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3076 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
Tis a factory with a big smokestrack, eh. Does that help at all? jjaba. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 49 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
Doesn't that building on McGreggor still exist? There's still a building right at that location. Its location is just across the tracks from where the busiest interlocking tower in Michigan was located - West Detroit - at the railroad diamond junction of the Detroit Line and the Michigan Line - on Junction Street, no less. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bate Member Username: Bate Post Number: 61 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 4.247.134.93 |
Back to the Fleetwood Plant. I wonder what assembly portion the building w/conveyor was involved with. Obviously something large was produced there or moved to/from that location to the larger plant across the street. Maybe the whole vehicle made it's way over from the main plant to the smaller building as a post production prep. area? Any thoughts?  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 164 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
The former location for the Wahl factory 3089 EGB in 1923.  The Regal factory is supposed have been at Woodward and Piquette. Here is a vacant lot at that location. Graham-Page is listed as having an office or plant at 6250 Woodward. This map from 1923 could be a 'tweener.  On an earlier map, we discussed the Regal office at 210 Piquette. They also took up some space across the street in 1923.  The future site of Sibley in 1910.  Here's the Commerce Motor Truck plant in 1923.  This is the future location for Federal Truck in 1910. Leavitt Ave. later became Federal Ave.  The maps may not be as fun as old photos but they do help identify addresses and the relative size of a factory. Also the old railroad track layouts can be used to spot locations in modern aerial photos. Sorry guys (and Kathleen) the LIST is gonna grow. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 57 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 129.9.163.234 |
Sven--could you post the RH portion of the top map over on the "old moviehouses" thread"? that shows the inner wall detail of the Duplex theatre on E.Grand Blvd., an interesting venue to us movie house heads. If possible, please include as much of the theatre as you have available. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 814 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.187 |
I second 56packman's suggestion, I played a few gigs in the Latin Quarter a few decades ago. Sven: What is the address of that Fisher #22 that is on the Regal photo. (Another Fisher plant not on THE LIST! I was hoping that the numbering system was random, and that #40 was an aberration. I find these maps as interesting as the old photos, that is if the Fisher plants didn't keep showing up.) I'll take a look at the aerials of Fleetwood to see when that weird addition shows up, and maybe a clue what it was for. (Message edited by Hornwrecker on February 14, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 166 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
The Boydell building in 1897 where the Dodge Brothers tinkered around. Notice the Anderson Cycle & Mfg. 5th floor.  The Brush Runabout Factory #1 in 1910. The railroad above it is the G.T.D.G.H. & M. R.R.  The Grabowsky Power Wagon Co. buildings are to the left of Mt. Elliot. The top building is the body dept. To the right at 1800 Mt. Elliot is the Detroit Pressed Steel Co.- Mfg's of Steel Auto Body Frames. From a 1910 Sanborn Map.  As requested, Packard maps. Probably from the 1920's. Sorry for the quality. When I took these the whole digital snapping of maps was new to me so I was in a lower resolution.     (Message edited by SVEN1977 on February 14, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 168 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
Pick out whatever address you like. the maps in the 1920's listed both old and new numbers.  Now here's a confusing map. This building is still around isn't it? It's to the west of Fisher #21 and to the south of Auto Crankshaft.  I have a lot of the Fisher plants in color (colour for AIW) if anyone wants to see them. I don't want to maphog the thread. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 815 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.51 |
I have no idea what to do with that last map. Thanks for the Fisher #22 clarification. I'm going to let some one else sort out the Fisher mess, dealing with Briscoe's and Blomstrom's convolutions is enough for me. I went with 545 Piquette for #22. I am now confused by the Brush Runabout, I thought they were made at the Briscoe plant on Baltimore, and then on Rhode Island in H.P.. Any cross streets on the Euclid Ave and Philadelphia. The map I have shows Wellington above Euclid at the RR tracks. Date for map??? I found a new marque produced in Detroit in a surprisingly large number. The Rockne was produced at the Studebaker factory at 401 Piquette (still standing) from 1932-33. Total production of 23,201 units, though some may have been in South Bend. The Erskine, another Studbaker marque was also assembled there. Studebaker closed their other Detroit plants in 1928, so 401 went on another five years. I've also changed the way dates are in the db, now using two columns, start and end, so it will give another way this beast can be sorted. Now using upper and lower case "A"s for type, lower to denote smaller makers. Still thinking about some other changes in categories. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 169 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
The Brush map is from 1910. I believe the current location is near the Russell Street complex. I don't have a sharp picture of the map index to clearly identify the location and cross street but this looks to be correct based on the area's RR and road layout. The cross street to the south is Hartwick. On the old map, the street was named Guilloz. The main Brush plant was on Oakland. Didn't that factory become Maxwell then Chrysler then dust?  Brush on Oakland-1910  This is the Buick & Sherwood factory on Champlain in 1897.  The following 1897 shot contains the future location of Detroit Auto Vehicle at65-71 Catherine and the site for Herreshoff and Harvard (City Pattern Works) This info is from "How Detroit Became..."  (Message edited by SVEN1977 on February 15, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5297 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
Hornwrecker - Could you e-mail me the new list with new format? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 817 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.94 |
Thanks Sven, I couldn't picture where the "new" Brush factory was. I don't think I've ever seen mention of it anywhere; perhaps being so close to the Oakland Ave (Rhode Island) plant, it was included as part of it. I've got to go back a research the US Motors debacle of Briscoe, of which Maxwell picked up the pieces. Aiw, I'll try to get it finished enough to send out this weekend. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5298 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
No problem. Take your time. I'll hold off integrating the Windsor section untill I get the never version 3.0 from you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 170 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
I've identified 201 Piquette as the corner of the EMF Studebaker plant at John R. This is the address listed in books as the Regal HQ.  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5300 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
Maybe we covered this before (I can't remember last week, never mind last year!) but when was the old Studebaker plant converted to the "Chrysler - John R Plant"? What did they make there?  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 171 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
This is a list of my new maps. I only included either new maps or unknown address of companies that appear auto related. The first few names are known addresses but I found the locations that would become a factory (small as some were) or the locations after the auto operation had stopped. The year listed is the year the Sanborn Map was published. I tried not to duplicate existing maps already posted. If someone would like to see a map, let me know and I can post it. *Miller (location) 1638 Russell 1910 *Packard buildings (no interior details) EGB & Concord 1910 *Sommer (location) 298-300 Columbia 1921 *Sommer (location) 313-315 Riopelle 1897 *Walker (location) 107 Fort 1897 All Season Tops 4411 St. Aubin 1921 Aluminum Casting Co. (Foundry) Dunn Road (Finley Rd.) 1910 American Auto Trimming Co. 1113 Gratiot 1910 American Blower EGB & Orleans 1910 American Blower Plant #1 Russell & Harper 1923 American Break Shoe Co. 4600-4700 Merritt 1950's American Motor Castings Marston & Fordyce 1910 American Piston & Machine Garfield & Dequindre (RR) 1921 American Radiator Trombley & Dequindre (RR) 1923 American Radiator Joseph Campau 1910 C.M. Hall Lamp Co. (auto lamps) Rivard & Hancock 1923 Cadillac Motor Car Co. Ware Ho. 28 Custer 1910 Delphie Specialty Mfg. Co. (Auto door locks) 433-439 E. Willis Ave. 1923 Detroit Carriage Co. (auto bodies & carriages) 627-661 Clay 1910 Everitt Bros. Auto Painting & Trimming 1651 Harper 1923 Everitt, (B.F.) Co. Auto Trimming Tops & Painting 498-506 Clay 1910 Goodspeed Detroit Mfg. (auto parts) 278-280 Harper 1923 Goodyear Rubber Co. Hastings & Milwaukee 1923 Joseph N. Smith & Co. (auto hardware & acc.) 2459-2491 EGB 1923 Kolb-Gotfredson Horse Co. 1101 Gratiot 1910 McCord (radiators) EGB/Riopelle/Milwaukee 1923 Michigan Auto Parts Co. 1557-1565 West Jefferson 1910 National Motor Castings 222-234 Military Ave. 1910 Nelson, Peterson Mfg. Co. (auto parts) 1700 DuBois 1910 O&S Bearing (auto parts) 303 S. Artillery 1923 Oldberg (mufflers) 2665-2661 EGB 1923 Russell Motor Axle (auto axles) Railroad Street 1910 Schoof Gracey Body Co. (auto bodies) 106-108 East Milwaukee 1923 Standard Enamel & Trimming Co. (auto painting) 693-711 E. Palmer 1923 Ternstedt Mfg. (auto bodies) Artillery & Fort 1923 Trio Mfg. (auto & marine timers) 1306 East Warren 1910 Trippensee (auto body pant 2) 2679-2681 EGB 1923 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bate Member Username: Bate Post Number: 62 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 71.101.227.115 |
Aiw, fairly sure "Chrysler - John R Plant" was parts only - predating "MOPAR". | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 820 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.201 |
Sven, post them as they come up, or when things get a little slow. I'd like to see them all, but that's just me. A couple of interesting and new entries into the list are: Detroit Taxicab & Transfer (1914-15): built 47 electric taxis used in Detroit. No address given. Article about Detroit Taxicab & Transfer and their electric cabs. (About halfway down the article) Yellow Cab (1928-30), somewhere in Pontiac: first made in Chicago, became General Motors Cab in Pontiac, made until 1938. Made mostly of Chevy bodies with some truck driveline, and longer chassis. (Message edited by Hornwrecker on February 16, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 172 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
A 1910 Sanborn map with BF Everitt, Wilson and Anderson.  A 1897 map with the sites of future car producers. It probably didn't take much space to produce only a few cars at a time.  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2403 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
A few notes on Borg-Warner... Back on page 2, Bate started a list of addresses, including one for a Chrysler - Detroit Trim Plant at 12501 Dequindre, which is along an essentially isolated stretch of the Chrysler service drive, squeezed between the Davison Freeway and Caniff. It is still used by Chrysler in some way; I drove by it recently but I can't remember what the sign said. Frequently, these plants have been designated as Foreign Trade Zones to obtain breaks on customs duties if the materials imported for use there would end up being exported again in the finished product. Chrysler applied for FTZ status for this and other plants in the area in 1987:
A list of FTZs in the U.S. I found that back in 1940, this plant was listed as "Long Manufacturing Division - Borg Warner Corp, radiator manufacturers" with another building on the south side, 12435 Dequindre, as "Long Manufacturing Corp, clutch division." Before that, they were located at 2746-2768 East Grand Boulevard according to my 1925 & 1935 directories. Chrysler Trim, former Long Mfg of Borg-Warner, just east of Chrysler HP complex:  Back in'49:  Searching for a history of Long Manufacturing, I found this from Wolverine Tube's website:
That new plant is located at 1411-1467 Central Ave, southwest corner of Pershing:   More info can be found at the Wolverine link above and in this .pdf report regarding contamination at the site. Anyway, looking at Borg-Warner listings in a 1961 phone book, I have these addresses: Long Mfg Div - Dequindre Plant: 12501 Dequindre, Hamtramck Morse Chain Co - Auto Div: 10124 W McNichols York Div: 14385 Wyoming Warner Auto Div: 19651 Mt Elliott ...none of which look very significant other than the Dequindre plant, plus office addresses for several other divisions. Morse Chain sounded familiar, and according to Borg-Warner's corporate history, the predecessor to Morse Chain, an Ithaca, New York company, started business in 1880, and in 1906, began producing automobile chains. In 1929, Morse was acquired by Borg-Warner (which itself formed the previous year). I see Raul posted a brief mention of Morse back on page 18:
By 1925, Morse had moved to 7601 Central Avenue, north of W Warren. Listed as "manufacturers of silent and roller chains, sprocket wheels, marine reduction gears, flexible couplings, and special power transmission drives" and in the Yellow Pages as a maker of "freewheeling or ratchet clutches". I'll get ground level pictures next sunny day. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2406 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
Former Chrysler Trim plant, former Long Manufacturing plant, 12501 Dequindre, now called Chrysler Quality Improvement Center, but I think it's closed or closing soon:    Woverine Tube, supplier to Long Manufacturing:  Morse Chain on Central, now being used by AceTex, a uniform supplier to the Big 3:    | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2411 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
This small factory sits in a neighborhood of mixed residential and industrial shops east of the Poletown plant, located at 6400 Miller Rd, just east of Mt Elliott. It once was a factory of the Associated Spring Corp., manufacturers of a variety of springs, including flat, clutch, and valve springs. Listed in my directory as "Barnes-Gibson-Raymond Division of Associated Spring Corp" with a subsidiary company at the same address, the "Wallace-Barnes Co., spring manufacturers". From the history of the Barnes Group:
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Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 825 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.208 |
Well, it must have been a sunny day. I'm taking the weekend off of entering all of your endless finds into the db. I did add another worksheet for references. It's about time we started keeping track of major resources, other than scattered over 18 pages. I stumbled upon this web site about Reliance trucks in Owosso. Looking at the db, I noted that they were originally located in Detroit, and also made a motorcar. Here are a few images I swiped and PSed. Reliance Motor Truck  Reliance (1904-1908) 87-89 Fort St E., former Detroit Safe Works, auto operation sold to Crescent Motors, moved to Owosso, MI and bought by GM (1909), combined with Rapid to form GMC (1909), moved to Pontiac, MI (1913).  "The light heavy-weight touring car."  "Reliance - all made under one roof." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 830 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.26 |
Found the Detroit Safe Company Works in the 1884 Sanborn maps. It became the Reliance Truck factory in 1904.  I never would have figured that heavy truck production took place Downtown. A later map from the 30s, shows Union Paper & Twine at that location. (Message edited by Hornwrecker on February 18, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Raul1983 Member Username: Raul1983 Post Number: 11 Registered: 01-2006 Posted From: 80.186.212.176 |
 1905 Reliance-Detroit, "the car too good for the price"  Here is a quite rare ad for the Rapid truck made in 8th Saginaw St.,Pontiac, Michigan. One of the makes that later formed GMC. The ad is from 1909. (Message edited by Raul1983 on February 19, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 833 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.83 |
Raul, that's a nice collection of ads you got there. I'm going to have to work harder to find some maker that you don't have an ad for. Mikem, while browsing around the new toy, I found this Wolverine Tube on McGraw and 33rd from 1917. I found a few other factories that I never knew existed: another Northway, Cadillac #7 aircraft div.  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander Post Number: 1615 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.164.127 |
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060220/NEW S09/602200313/1011/BUSINESS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 173 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
COOL! Thanks for the quote Lowell. I was sharing my pictures and stories with my high school history teacher yesterday. I graduated in 1977. Hornwrecker, where are you getting your Sanborn Maps? Is there another source besides the Detroit Library? (Message edited by SVEN1977 on February 20, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bunkster Member Username: Bunkster Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 198.208.159.19 |
This is the coolest!!! I have been driving around looking at this stuff for years. In the past I have focused on the past residences of the Fords and Dodges with pretty good luck. I have been looking for the site of the old Dodge Water Car factory. Can any one help? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5308 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
Hello Bunkster, welcome to the forum! Do you have a timeframe the Water Car was produced? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 868 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
^ Alw :D (according to the article in the freep) "Posters mostly use pseudonyms like Hornblower, Alw or 56packman." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5309 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
Just remember, no such thing as bad press... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bunkster Member Username: Bunkster Post Number: 2 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 198.208.159.19 |
Aiw: The Dodge Water Car is actually a boat that Horace Dodge JR began to manufacture in Detroit. After reading about this in the book Dodge Dynesty I did a little more research and found something that mentioned the boat was built in the current Warehouse District. The factory was evetually closed and moved to the east coast. The boat Horace Jr. produced were very similar to Gar Wood and Chris Craft boats. As a kid I used to swim over to the old Gar Wood mansion to look around so the old boat thing kind of is my blood. As mentioned earlier I have been fairly successful finding the old homes of some of the Detroit Auto elite. I was actually able to have a tenant show me around John Dodges old home on Forrest Ave. I am more of a car guy than a boat person but the Dodge connection to the boat co. got me thinking. Plus I work near the ware house district. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 174 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
I've been waiting to post this. Dodge Boat Works around 1915 on Lycaste.  (Message edited by SVEN1977 on February 20, 2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5310 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
Bunkster - On the 1922 Sandborn map for the Riverfront district, there is on the riverfront off of Atwater between Chene & Jos. Campau is the J. F. Dodge estate boat house. Could this be the place?  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 838 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.56 |
Yes. Welcome Bunkster, interesting about the Dodge water-car. Someday we'll have to delve into the ship/boat building side of things. New research project anyone? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5311 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
Sven - Shoot me an e-mail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 62 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 129.9.163.234 |
MikeM- that former Long Mfg. Bldg. on the Fisher service drive (formerly a Dequindre address) is known as "DOW" (Detroit Office Warehouse) within DCX. It is the central w'house for cubicle parts (inset Dilbert joke here_______) and other office furnishings used in Detroit area DCX facilities. There is a large warranty test facility there, and AFAIK, there are no plans to close it soon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3138 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
Welcome Bunkster. Hope you've seen the Ford and Dodge properties in Indian Village. It was on the way, a step up, to the mansions of Grosse Pointe, and still close to their factories. jjaba. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bate Member Username: Bate Post Number: 63 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 71.101.227.115 |
Long mfg. is/was well known for clutches and friction materials. I believe they might be Canadian based? Their take on the clutch pressure plate was the 3 finger design known as the "long" style clutch. Today, the more common version is the easier to operate and universally accepted, "diaphragm" multi-finger design which requires less pedal effort. Long versions are still popular in high stress (insert your favorite 60's 4-speed h.p. car here) applications. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 5313 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.228.197.193 |
Here's the Windsor one in 1937. The building is still standing, it's got a long history, I think at one point Studebaker used the building as did Gotfredson....    | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 840 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.119 |
Here are a couple of old time coachmakers that went on to produce early automobile coachwork. The first is C. R. Wilson on Jones and First St. (1897-1924).  Second in Sievers & Erdman (1875-1910), later at 320 Beaubien.  Also on that map is Detroit Coach & Woodwork(?), who I've never heard of before. I'm working on the Northway #2 and Cadillac #7 on Holbrook, and the Central Gear and Forge from around the 1920s, just so we don't duplicate efforts. Still need to look for some aerials. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sven1977 Member Username: Sven1977 Post Number: 175 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
I have in my notes a company named Reid Manufacturing at 21 Jones but I don't know what they made there. I usually don't write down an address to investigate unless it was a final production facility. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 842 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.197 |
Sven, the name is familiar, but it isn't in the db. I can't remember where I saw it before. This is the Sanborn map for GM's Central Gear factory, 1979 Holbrook & St Aubin.  An aerial view from 1949.  The WWI era Sanborns showing Cadillac #7 509 Holbrook & Dequindre, aircraft division, and what I'm calling Northway #2 accross the street from it, but with an address of 1806 Holbrook & Dequindre.   This is an aerial view from 1949 showing how the previous factories were integrated into larger ones.  Looks like Dequindre disappeared sometime between the map and the photo. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Photoall Member Username: Photoall Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Hi, name al, I am looking for information on The labell funeral Motor cars COMPANY located at 390 third avenue, detroit, mich telephone Grand 3226 I have a framed photo dated april 13, 1913. I called the no. but nobody answer? couldn't get a connection! I would like to know more about this company?! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Little_buddy Member Username: Little_buddy Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 206.148.113.91 |
Talking about the Fleetwood plant on Fort st. I worked there in the late 70's. Someone above in the posts had a picture facing towards downtown. I worked on the 6th floor. the car bodies came up from the paint shop connected to the 3rd floor(not the main building). The first thing put on was the trunk lock, then the door handles, glue sprayed for the headliners and then the back window. I think the building next to the main plant going towards downtown was a warehouse storing seats that were brought over on a conveyor system across the road. Most of the warehouse was vancant, kind of spooky wandering around in it at times. Anyone ever work there? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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