The glass plant was part of plant operations at the saint paul ford plant through the 1920s and 1930s. Paul has recently unveiled initial studies for the site. The ford motor company plant gallery june 23, 2014 cathy moran hajo 2 comments archives, history ford motors built a plant in mahwah that opened in 1955. For instance chicagos first assembly plant is listed under 1914, when assembly started, that building closed and the assembly plant relocated in 1924 so the new building is listed under 1924. Paul and intends to sell the property to a developer by. In early 2006, when ford first put the twin cities assembly plant on its closure list, the facility was slated to close within two years.
Site in accordance with the requirements of the minnesota pollution. Ford explorer, police interceptor utility and lincoln aviator. The twin cities assembly plant would go on to manufacture millions of cars. At the bottom of the page is a bibliography of source material on fords assembly plants available, and open for research, in the benson ford. The twin cities assembly plant in highland park is gone, but the stories of people who worked there live on in a new, hourlong documentary airing on twin cities pbs stations next week. Assembly workers at ford plant get shutdown notice the. Operated from 19151956 houston branch assembly plant. Could ford bring back a michiganbuilt ranger pickup. Workers steal the show in tpts new ford plant film. The plant is scheduled to close at the end of the month. Ford plant twin cities assembly alumni and current employees has 1,009 members. Ford twin cities assembly plant the ranger station. Paul opened in 1926 with the model t, made for another 19 years.
On december 16, 2011, the ford twin cities assembly plant produced its final vehicle, a 2012 ford ranger. New book explores minnesotas unique role in the ford motor. At its peak, the factory employed 1,800 wellpaid uaw workers in a 2 millionsquarefoot facility about 7 miles from both downtown st. End of historic line, as last ford ranger rolls from plant in.
More than 7 million rangers were built since production began in 1982 at a ford factory in louisville, kentucky. The union said only a few dozen twin cities workers are eligible. These are only a few of fords assembly plants and factories, most of. Combining political, economic, social, and architectural history, this richly detailed, handsomely. This expanded recall involves approximately 33,428 additional 2006 ford rangers in north america with 30,603 located in the united states and federalized territories and 2,825.
In 1912, the first assembly and sales activities were started in a former warehouse in minneapolis by ford motor company. In 1914, the ford centre opened in minneapolis, the largest car manufacturing plant in the world at the time. But it wasnt the first ford facility built in the twin towns. Production began at the twin cities assembly plant in 1925, but ford first built model ts in two smaller buildings in minneapolis and st. Profil of the ford automotive north american car plants, incl. New book explores minnesotas unique role in the ford motor company. Henry ford, known far and wide for his success with mass production, for providing affordable cars to workers, and for paying workers enough to buy the cars they made, was planning to build a new plant. Spy twin cities story on the history of the historic ford centre, minneapolis, also known as the ford center, next door to target field minnesota twins stadium. Building currently has commercial retail on the main floor and condominiums on floors 25 fargo branch assembly plant fargo, nd. From the oldest ford dealership in the world to the ruins of the st. A shortform ebook original providing a brief history of the famed automobile assembly plant in st. Hear stories about henry ford s personal interest in this site, how the plant shaped the future of highland park, and what it meant to the thousands of workers who built everything from the model t to the ranger. Retired twin cities ford autoworker oral history interviews. All light and medium trucks were transferred to 10 other plants in the usa.
He explored fords role in labor history, henry fords connections with nazi germany. Demolition of the former ford twin cities assembly plant. Initial plans emerge for twin cities assembly plant. History, stories, and images of the life and death of minnesotas car factory and its mines. Ford motor company closed its twin cities assembly plant in december 2011 and since then has been preparing the property for take down and disposition. Situated on the mississippi river, the factory generated its own power through an adjacent hydroelectric dam. The ford motor company plant gallery mahwah museum. Jun 11, 2019 for instance chicagos first assembly plant is listed under 1914, when assembly started, that building closed and the assembly plant relocated in 1924 so the new building is listed under 1924. Introduction on behalf of ford motor company ford, arcadis has prepared this subsurface investigation work plan work element 2 work plan for the twin cities assembly plant tcap. Greg brick shared a notably similar story in his fantastic 2009 book, subterranean twin cities.
One worker at ford s highland park plant connects a model t driveshaft to its transmission, while another lowers an engine onto the chassis using a chain hoist. Last ford mustang at dearborn assembly plant 51004 duration. Twin cities ford assembly plant decal and symbol on the side of a vintage 1953 ford pickup ford assembly line at the highland park factory, michigan, in 19 liberty, missouri, usa, 20th september, 20 president barack obama speaking at the ford assembly plant. Workers installing engines on ford model t assembly line at. Dec 01, 2016 a vision for ford motor companys former twin cities assembly plant is beginning to materialize as the city of st. They would just stick the 2x4 in the door opening near the hinge and slam the door. Nov 22, 2016 by showing where streets, parks and open space may be placed inside the 5acre site, the public finally has a glimpse of what the former ford plant will look like when it grows up. Twin cities assembly plant home of the ford ranger. Jun 25, 2018 ford motor company has picked minneapolisbased ryan companies to develop the 122acre former ford assembly plant site in st. Dec 16, 2011 ken grady assembles tires on the ford ranger production line at the twin cities assembly plant in st.
This is the story of the twin cities assembly plant, which operated from 1925 to 2011 in the highland park neighborhood of st. Feb 12, 2018 affected vehicles include certain 2006 ford rangers built at twin cities assembly plant from aug. The bitter battle to turn an old factory into a 21st. Paul, minnesota opened in 1925 to build model ts in a stateoftheart facility powered by a hydroelectric dam on the mississippi river. Book looks back on ford motors glory days in minnesota. May 15, 20 henry ford, known far and wide for his success with mass production, for providing affordable cars to workers, and for paying workers enough to buy the cars they made, was planning to build a new plant. Myers covers more than 86 years of ford motor companys history in st. After building a mix of vehicles, the plant converted to alltruck production in. Twin cities assembly plant located next to the mississippi river in the highland park, minnesota. Ford motor company history the henry ford museum library of congress minnesota historical society national public radio. Dec 06, 20 twin cities assembly plant, saint paul, minnesota. Dec 14, 2011 this friday will mark a sad day in minnesota when the twin cities ford assembly plant shuts its doors for the final time. When ford quit making its glass on site at the plant, the glass plant and the mining tunnels were shut down. Ford memphis assembly plant located on 1429 riverside blvd, memphis tn.
When it closed in 2011, the twin cities assembly plant was the oldest ford plant still operating. Jun 26, 2018 fords twin cities assembly plant in st. Paul, according to brian mcmahon, a local historian who has. The longabandoned ford tunnels are by far the most extensive mining tunnel system in the twin cities area. Minnesota historical society twin cities army ammunition plant u.
These are only a few of fords assembly plants and factories. Ford plant twin cities assembly alumni and current. Paul, which was part of families and finances for 86 years, is the focus of a new documentary that will have its broadcast premiere at 8 p. This friday will mark a sad day in minnesota when the twin cities ford assembly plant shuts its doors for the final time. Ford picks minneapolisbased company to develop former. Twin cities assembly plant 966 south mississippi river boulevard st.
The assembly facility survived a rocky time in fords history by meeting demand for the. Located at 672 dupont st production moved to danforth assembly plant. But author brian mcmahon says not so fast lets remember what happened there. Completed model ts roll off the line at highland parks ford twin cities assembly plant in 1925. For more cool photos check out twin cities assembly plant ford ranger.
Mcmahon documents the companys transformationthrough the depression, the rise of the united auto workers union, world war ii, women joining the workforce. In may 1957, ford discontinued building trucks at the highland park ford plant in highland park, michigan. One hundred years ago today, henry ford and his team at highland park assembly plant launched the worlds greatest contribution to manufacturing the first moving assembly line. The twin cities assembly plant would go on to manufacture millions of cars, trucks, tractors and military vehicles until its closure in 2011. The ford century in minnesota university of minnesota press. The twin cities assembly plant would go on to manufacture millions of cars, trucks, tractors, and military vehicles until its closure in 2011. The assembly facility survived a rocky time in fords history by meeting demand for the light trucks that became the companys mainstay when. Opened in 1912 in a former warehouse in minneapolis and later moved to st. Nov 29, 2016 new book explores minnesotas unique role in the ford motor company.
Brian mcmahon, author of the ford century in minnesota. Paul in the 1920s, how its workers became involved in the international organized labor movement, and how a variety of forces led to the plant s closure. Retired twin cities ford autoworker oral history interviews interviewed by brian mcmahon on behalf of minnesota labor interpretive center and uaw local 879 interviewed in 1998 and 1999. Firstperson accounts of more than forty retired auto workers share what it was like to work at fordfrom the early years of the minneapolis plant to the final hours of the twin cities assembly plant in st. The facility was producing ranger pickup trucks when it closed in 2011.
End of historic line, as last ford ranger rolls from plant. Paul plants and dealerships, as well as the role the mississippi river played in the st. When we talk about ford in minnesota, we are now talking about redeveloping its twin cities assembly plant site. Do you have a timeline of ford motor company assembly. Hear stories about henry fords personal interest in this site, how the plant shaped the future of highland park, and what it meant to the thousands of workers who built everything from the model t to the ranger. Short history of the ford plant, a minnesota historical society. After building a mix of vehicles, the plant converted to alltruck production in 1978. First, the mississippi could, if harnessed, provide him free electric power indefinitely. Henry ford moved his minneapolis car and truck assembly factory to st. Relive 86 years of ford motor company history along saint pauls riverfront in this new documentary for twin cities pbs. However, ford announced on april that the twin cities plant would close in 2008, along. A new book, the ford century in minnesota by brian mcmahon.
The next year, ford would install chaindriven, moving assembly lines to improve efficiency and increase productivity. Paul, the assembly plant featured its own hydroelectric plant similar to the one on green island, produced military vehicles during world war ii and over the last few years. The ford century in minnesota tells the story of how henry ford s pioneering company arrived in the state and built its giant plant in st. Resources website links below are links to a few of the many resources containing information and photographs documenting the history of the ford motor company and twin cities assembly plant. Max action wrote about his encounter with a sleeping security guard in 2000 and alarms in 2007. Ford issues airbag, weld recalls louisville business first.
At the bottom of the page is a bibliography of source material on ford s assembly plants available, and open for research, in the benson ford. The ford richmond plant, formally the ford motor company assembly plant, in richmond, california, was the largest assembly plant to be built on the west coast and its conversion to wartime production during world war ii aided the united states war effort. Paul, the assembly plant featured its own hydroelectric plant similar to the one on green island, produced military vehicles during world war ii and over the last few years has been tasked with. Ryan said it will work with the city on a detailed development. I believe in this case it was to get the door to move out, instead of move in. Henry ford starts building the twin cities assembly plant in st. It simplified assembly of the ford model ts 3,000 parts by breaking it into 84 distinct steps performed by groups of workers as a rope pulled the vehicle chassis. Facility blueprints, company newspapers, photographs, reports, procedures, and other printed material documenting a small arms and artillery ammunition plant operated by federal cartridge corporation in arden hills, minnesota, from 1942 to 1992. Nov 30, 2016 the last ford ranger pickup truck built in north america rolled off the assembly line on dec. New book explores minnesotas unique role in the ford. Paul plant s story and how ford dealt with a nearcatastrophic flood in 1952. Ford advises additional customers to stop driving certain. By 1925, the twin cities assembly plant had relocated next to the mississippi river in the highland park neighborhood of st. Building roof was used as a test track for the model t.
The bitter battle to turn an old factory into a 21st century. The ford motor company assembly plant, part of the national park service s rosie the riveter world war iihome front national historical park, is located at 14141422 harbour way s. Short history of the ford plant, a minnesota historical. Working with machinery driven by hydro and steam power, fabricating windshields with sand mined from tunnels beneath the plant itself, the plants workers produced model ts and model as, fairlanes and ranger trucks. Paul auto plant will become a green neighborhood citylab. Henry ford s largescale experiments with every aspect of the industrial economy sent ripples and shockwaves through the lives of minnesotansmanagement and assembly line workers, dealers and. Per regulations, the factory is encoded into each vehicles vin as character 11 for north american models, and character 8 for european models for a listing of ford s proving grounds and test facilities see ford proving grounds. Paul assembly plant, minnesota is home to a lot of ford history.
Completed in 1925, fords twin cities assembly plant high on the banks of the mississippi river in saint paul was a sterling achievement. The following is a list of current and former facilities of ford motor company for manufacturing automobiles and other components. By showing where streets, parks and open space may be placed inside the 5acre site, the public finally has a glimpse of what the former ford plant. Do you have a timeline of ford motor company assembly plants. This 19 assembly line was relatively crude workers pushed or pulled vehicles to each station. I too remember seeing assembly line workers using the 2x4 method of alignment at the twin cities ford assembly plant during plant tours in the late 60s. Independence excavating continues our successful working relationship with ford motor company and devon industrial group dig with the decommissioning and demolition of the former ford twin cities assembly plant tcap located on the banks of the mississippi river in st.
In 1912, the first assembly and sales activities were started in a former warehouse in. My highly motivated exit, though, was quite different from. Jul 21, 2014 where its twin cities assembly plant once stood, ford has finished tearing down about 2 million square feet of structures, leaving behind little more than concrete slabs lining 122 acres of vacant. The city of saint paul is working with ford to help ensure that site demolition is handled carefully to minimize noise, dust and disruption, and that the property is appropriately cared for while the company searches for a. The economic and environmental consequences affect everyone in the state, and for that reason, a concerted effort should be made to keep it open.
The twin cities assembly plant was opened in 1925 producing modelts, and closed in 2011 producing ford rangers. How the ford motor company transformed minnesota over the past 100 years. At the time of its closure, it was the oldest ford plant still in operation. Third generation trucks were built in brazil as the f100, f. Many at the plant say if theres a saving grace, its that the factory didnt shut down all at once. Stories from the ford plant was produced for tpttwin cities pbs. Milestones ford twin cities plant in minnesota autoinformed. Every urban interloper urblops for short who has taken ford s selfguided tour has a story to tell. Ford motor company opened its twin cities assembly plant at st.
1615 1109 1364 497 446 402 933 622 210 651 85 1061 939 338 1374 57 345 161 691 472 230 1509 120 173 408 1331 1272 440 330 1101 883 332 521 347 875 1338 132 1075 1339 640 1409 471 1130 1099 543 345 1463 1339 479