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1049superg

I'm going to be traveling back east with a stop in Detroit in about a week and a half. I was wondering if there are any remaining Hudson manufacturing facilities intact that might be worth stopping to see and photograph. I thought that the Gratiot body plant might still exist. Thanks for any suggestions. Yes, I do plan to stop at Miller Motors.

Dan

Jon B

Yes, the Gratiot (later Cadillac) body plant still exists. Ivan Doverspike Company, a used machinery dealer, now inhabits the place. The address is 9501 Connor. Someone once said that one the enormous stamping presses once used by Hudson, was still in the building, but that's only heresay.

Here's a map, though I'm not sure they really want any "Hudson tourists" wandering through....

http://www.doverspike.com/visitingus.htm

1049superg

Jon, thanks for information regarding the existence of the former Gratiot body plant and the map with directions. I'll probably stop by on a Sunday morning so that Ivan Doverspike Co. will probably be closed anyway. Nice to know one of the old Hudson assembly plant buildings is still around and being used. Again, thanks!

Dan

Jon B

Well, actually, the Canadian assembly plant still exists, as well!

And a couple of the trees that used to stand in front of the administration buildings were transplanted to some park in Detroit....but "hardly a man is still alive who remembers..." so to speak, so good luck in finding THEM!

hudsontech

Isn't the original factory building (1909-1911??) still standing??

Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

Jon B

Right you are, Alex! The very FIRST Hudson factory still stands (though barely!). Corner of Mack and Beaufait in Detroit.

http://detroit1701.org/Aerocar-Hudson.html

Here's the old place in its early days....

Ol racer

Picture of original Hudson Bldg curtesy of Ron Fellows (Hudson Clutchman)

Few Fast Facts;

Constructed 1906

Architectural style: Mill Style Industrial

Not Listed on any National or Mi. Historical Registery's (to help preserve)

Current Status: (2005) awiting other use or demolition

Photograph by Ron Farley 2005

Richard E.

It is a tragedy that the Louis Kahn designed, Hudson main plant no longer exists!!!

farrtom

Richard E. wrote:

It is a tragedy that the Louis Kahn designed, Hudson main plant no longer exists!!!

Does any one have photos of the Louis Kahn building to share.

This coming from a Hudson and historic architecture fan.

Richard E.

Opps! It was Albert Kahn (no relation)

"In 1912, the company moved into its new Albert Kahn-designed factory at Jefferson and Conner on Detroit's lower east side and built the prototype of a new six-cylinder engine that would be put into production for 1913 and would make Hudson a solid member of the automotive family. High-performing sixes had been limited to luxury cars, but the standard-priced Hudson made it available to all. "

hornet53

Here is a pic of the body plant as of a few months ago. An imposing building in a park-like setting, at least in front.

The original plant is still there also, though I didn't get a pic of that because of the hookers standing in front of it. Not what I wanted in my picture, the whole area is depressing enough as it is.

I drove around in awe for a whole day looking at the buildings that are abandoned and falling apart.

1049superg

I kind of figured that this wouldn't be one of the more premire parts of Detroit and consequently I'll visit this area on Sunday morning. I hope the "hookers" will be either asleep at this time or perhaps having breakfast (please, no cheap comments) after doing "business"! Thanks for the photos.

Dan

Sarah Young

If you enjoy motown music, you may want to stop at Hitsville at 2648 W. Grand Boulevard, where artists like Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder recorded hits. For more info on that, visit http://www.motownmuseum.com We were there a few weeks ago.

If you're in the mood for evening entertainment, stop in at the Baker's keyboard lounge on 20510 Livernois, http://www.bakerskeyboardlounge.com , the world's oldest jazz club. My husband went there to see the Dennis Coffey Trio, but artists like Nat King Cole sang there.

Also, the website http://www.detroityes.com/ is a forum site that talks a lot about music but also has a lot of images people have uploaded from the earlier days of the city.

The Best Western or Red Roof Inn are good places to stay.

1049superg

Hey, thanks for the information concerning entertainment and even lodging in the Detroit area!

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