Here are a couple of recent photos of the Ford River Rouge Plant I found yesterday in a November 2010 issue of National Geographic, I thought might interest you. These were the only two photos and there was no article accompanying the photos.
What would cause such a, once, great factory, that was a totally self sufficient model of efficiency and industrial might, to descend into such a dismal state of disrepair? Would it not have been better to upgrade the facility as the years went by and continue operations instead of just moving out and allowing this to happen? Very sad and such a waste. Jim Patrick
It's not the only place like that. The crumbling Packard plant is another sad Detroit relic. The Studebaker plant in South Bend is a similar depressing wreck.
The USA loves to eliminate industry, so we can have more useless dodos to be distracted by their latest gadgets.
Looks like another of Albert Kahn's marvels
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Kahn_%28architect%29
He did this one too - it was recently replaced by something completely useless - a Home Depot
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/cincinnati-milacron-kearney-trecker-vn-usa- heavy-iron/usa-heavy-iron-disappearance-225278/?highlight=disappearance
Ford F150 trucks are currently made at the Rouge and Severstal Steel is using the Rouge Steel complex. I'm sure there are abandoned buildings, as pictured, but there is still much going on there.
"The Russian firm Severstal bought Rouge Steel in 2004"
Welcome to the USA 'Comrade'.
Dennis,
I hear ya, but at least they employ Americans and, hopefully, pay American taxes.
There is an engine plant at the Rouge as well as several component manufacturing plants within the Rouge complex.
Today I am teaching a class in a complex that is near I-94 and the railroad tracks servicing the Rouge Plant. Judging from the amount of train horns I'm hearing and car haulers I'm seeing, the Rouge is alive and well.
Related to this, the Henry Ford offers tours of the Rouge Plant where you can see F-Series trucks being built and also travel up to the roof to see where the living roof is actually cleaning up the air and managing the rainfall at the plant.
Jim, thanks for posting... I love industrial history and what i wouldnt give to explore that area of the rouge there or whats left of highland park. I wonder what role that stator lying there did, now ready for the scrap man to claim no doubt soon, going on the condition of the rest of the place... Looking forward to checking the links posted above when i get home tonight. Regards, Bede.
A guy lives in the Packard plant