Is Anyone Still Alive That Worked Ford's Branch Plants on the West Coast in the mid 20's ?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Is Anyone Still Alive That Worked Ford's Branch Plants on the West Coast in the mid 20's ?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Miller, Sequim WA on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 02:22 pm:

I'm looking to Communicate with a Ford Branch workers that were involved in the West Coast Branch Plants in the last years of the Model T. I'm trying to find out how the parts and knock downs were shipped in and the out. I'm also curious to find workers from Highland Park, Dearborn Engineering and the Philadelphia plants at this same time.
Any leeds would be greatly appreciated. Fred Miller


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. J. "Art" Bell on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 02:59 pm:

Wow Fred – you may need the services of a psychic or medium . . .
Even a 15 year old from 1927 would be 100 years old this year!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 03:00 pm:

It would be great if anyone like that turned up, but the odds are slim. Somebody who went to work for Ford at age eighteen in the last year of the Model T would be 103 now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. J. "Art" Bell on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 03:24 pm:

There are a few photos of T’s in boxcars at this forum link, but not much text.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/149919.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike conrad on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 03:52 pm:

Fred, Sorry can't help you much with your question but it sure brings up a memory. About ten years ago our local club hosted a small car show at a retirement home near Seattle. My dad had brought out his 30' model A briggs woody. A elderly man sure made my dads day when he told of working for ford at the lake union plant in Seattle. Can't remember what they talked about but remember they really enjoyed talking about it and my dad sure learned alot about his car. Good Luck in finding some info as I'm always amazed what small details can be learned from first hand accounts of history.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Miller, Sequim WA on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 04:16 pm:

I have seen those pictures on this site which only asks more questions. Shipping to the left coast is interesting in itself. Because of major Railroad issues Ford was not able to supply the west coast Branch plants in a timely manner due to slow shipping times and high freight rates. In 1922 Ford bought from the US Government near 200 ships for scrap. They then converted several of these ships over the next few years for service to the west coast plants. These ships carried parts and complete Truck chassis starting in late 1924 and then would return with lumber from the Northwest. I seems that Philadelphia was actually shipping full Truck chassis to the West Coast. I have a letter that eludes to this from 1922 on. I know it's a long shot but I just read about a 96 year old Gentleman that still with us, and how about George Beverly Shea he just turned 103. Questions Questions.
Fred


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By J Berch on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 04:20 pm:

Fred Here's a good website that may answer some of your questions.

http://fordmotorhistory.com/

Information on the branch plants.

http://fordmotorhistory.com/factories/branch_system.php


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Miller, Sequim WA on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 06:30 pm:

This information is unknown at this time. I have been researching this subject for over 2 years. I wish it were as easy as looking it up on the web or reading one of my 30 books on the subjects. I have traveled and looked for records at major Museums and Librarys and Newspapers on the West Coast and have had Benson Ford Research look for it. Bruce McCalley tried to help me so did another Ford historian/author and this is where I have been. Where I am going now is trying to fund a Trip to Detroit and spend time in the Museum Archives. I am still looking for good private photos that show how Cars, Trucks and Tractors were shipped. Thanks..Eveyone. Fred Miller


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Luke Dahlinger on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 07:02 pm:

I used to hear alot of Ford factory history at the local Bill Knapps.

Anytime I'd pull into the parking lot with a Model A or 50s Ford, a few of the old timers dining would stop by my table and talk Ford. Me walking out usually turned into a parking lot bull session.

I couldn't help but think it odd how so many people I talked to worked for "Ford's" and ate at Bill Knapps until I found out Bill Knapps was a primarily Michigan chain with only a few locations in Florida.

Sure wish I could find the notes I took during those conversations.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 07:43 pm:

What specific questions are you trying to answer Fred? Lots of pictures from the brass era through 1927 show Model T's packed like this:



And then the cars were usually assembled on the side of the rail line like this:


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