Valve Plant

NORTHVILLIANS,

This week, I will close the chapter on the Northville “Gateway Series” which began a few months ago. For this last gateway, we will look at an iconic (Albert Kahn-designed) industrial touchpoint in our community. Additionally, you will hear “the rest of the story” as to why one of the nation’s true entrepreneurs spent his time in The Ville.

Let’s look at our last Gateway in our series of touchpoints of Northville – We will explore an iconic one, that being Henry Ford’s Valve Plant (designed by Albert Kahn), now known as the Northville Water Wheel Centre.

The Northville Valve Plant is one of the most Historic compounds in the area for multiple reasons. This facility even has a spectacular chandelier of valves that were produced there in Rick Cox’s (the current owner) foyer to his office.

IT STARTED WITH HENRY – Henry Ford started visiting Northville in the 1800’s to see his cousin and others and he spent his honeymoon in The Ville.  He loved this “Hamlet in the Hills” so much that through the years, there have been few towns other than Dearborn that he shared his time and talents with more.  He helped rebuild our Ambler Pond/Balboa Lake dykes (where 7 Mile is today between Sheldon & Rogers). He came to square dances and visited family and friends.  Henry would ride the street cars into town early on, and he even tried to buy our historic Opera House for Greenfield Village.  Ford donated the land for Ford Field, The Mill Race Village and built an iconic industrial masterpiece here.  

ALBERT KAHN DESIGN – In 1935, Henry Ford made the decision to build an incredibly special plant in town capable of having 1,000 employees, replacing his previous structure. The chosen architect was the world-famous Albert Kahn. All the valves of Ford engines from Model T’s to Thunderbirds, Mustangs and Fordson Tractors were produced in Northville.  The plant even produced Pratt & Whitney airplane motor parts during WWII. I bet you didn’t know that Northville was part of the Arsenal of Democracy. 

HENRY & CLARA FORD LOVED NORTHVILLE so much they even celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in town at a square dance, reminiscing about spending their honeymoon up on Center Street. When the Fords were here in 1888, their mode of transportation was horse & buggy. They walked the beautiful riverbank where today, we are readying to begin work on our historic Riverwalk initiative. “They absolutely loved this place,” said my grandfather who helped wire the new plant for Mr. Ford in 1936.

HISTORIC VISITORS – Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh and Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker visited the Northville Plant in 1940 and approved of the plant and the grounds.

ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER – The Northville Valve Plant was the first of Henry Ford’s “Village Industry” plants to go into operation in 1919 and the last to close in the 1980’s. In 1995, the Kahn-designed Northville Plant was honored by being named to the National Register of Historic Places. Albert Kahn designed over 1000 projects for Ford and is renowned worldwide.

FROM 1875 TO DEMRAY DENTAL – Additionally, little is spoken about the plant manager’s home which was on the compound & still stands proudly today. It has been lovingly restored by my friend Dr. Bill Demray whose dental practice still resides in this place which he at one time called home, too. The lumber in this 1875 home was cut on premise by the water-powered sawmill where the Mill Race Village is today. Dubuar had the sawmill and Yerkes had the flour mill (Gold Lace), which eventually became Northville Milling & Lumber Company (the oldest business in Michigan dating back to 1827).
Before Dr. Demray lived in this house (371 E. Main), one of our historic mayors, Mike Allen, lived and ran his business out of this building like Dr. Demray did decades later.

I encourage you to walk the grounds of the Water Wheel Centre, Ford Field & the Mill Race Village.  Imagine the past and envision the future as we create an historic Riverwalk, renovate our Ford Field greenspace and welcome the next century by making this area an accessible and wonderful gathering place.

Keep that Northville Historic Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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