River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

years ago i read a book regarding WW II plant transformation and worker housing in Michigan. for the life of me i have not been able to find it in an internet search despite numerous attempts.

any help locating this book title for a re-read will be gratefully appreciated!

thanks

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

You are close with your rememberer. The noted bomber factory was in Willow Run, not the Rouge. Was this what you are thinking of perhaps?

Not sure about the book question.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

I would be curious if you may remember the approximate date it was published or what type, if any, photos or illustrations it may have had. A 1970 book titled "State of War: Michigan in World War II" may have some info.

A recent book titled "Arsenal of Democracy" had mention about how difficult it was to get Willow Run up and running due to the housing shortage in Ypsilanti and what they had to do to get it working in such a short period of time. A look at stuff like this and a person can better understand why Edsel Ford dies so young. That job was beyond monumental. He gave a truly heroic attempt to complete that task and it succeeded but the price was high.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

Actually the Rouge River reference is somewhat relevant as the lower branch of the river does emanate near Willow Run.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

Of all the hundreds of books written about Henry Ford, the best by far were the three volumes known as the Ford Trilogy by Alan Nevins. These three titles detail every aspect of Ford’s life and everything he touched. They are accurate and entertaining, and should be on every Fordophiles bookshelf.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

My dad worked over there as a plumber during the war. There were a number of plumbers form Oshkosh who worked over there.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

This one? > https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pla...son/1112822564

And > https://www.amazon.com/Planning-Home...ct_top?ie=UTF8

https://prodimage.images-bn.com/lf?s...oduct.chain%5D

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

thanks for all the helps. i think this is the book i'm seeking:

The Story of Willow Run - by Marion F. Wilson - 1956

the copy i read must have been a more recent addition maybe from the '80s.

i got trapped by my own thinking and wasn't getting anywhere until you fellows got me off dead center.

thanks again

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

https://www.amazon.com/Story-Willow-.../dp/0472752014

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....4,203,200_.jpg

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

The Yankee Air Museum is also at Willow Run airport.

Sal

https://yankeeairmuseum.org/

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

And for those that want to, at the Early Ford V8 Club's Grand National Meet in 2023 they will be able to take a flight in the Yankee Air Museum's restored Ford Tri-motor, which is always a great treat.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

I rarely get off this 50 something square mile Island I live on, but the V8 meet coupled with a flight on a Ford Tri-motor would be #1 on my bucket list if I had one. Maybe I'll get a pen and make one. Like I could find a pen that worked.....

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

I thought carpenters had a pencil behind they're ear at all times?

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

I always did in my younger years... sometimes when I was single I'd get onto the pillow that way. Ouch. But now with the ballcap and reading glasses it's hard to find it's way behind the ear. Now I just set it on the bench and lose it in the rubble.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

Good answer GB ! I can relate to the "rubble" on the bench

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

When I was in the military going through basic training. I was issued an M-16 that was manufactured by GM at the hydromatic plant that took over Willow Run after Kaiser-Frazer used it to build C-119 cargo planes. There was a lot of history made at that location. Most of the plant is gone now but there is enough left to house a fair amount of old birds.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

thanks for the suggestions, but the search is still on!

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

The book is on Amazon right now. Only one copy is left. Go to Amazon,then"
search books", then" advanced search" and type in name and author.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

Often wondered how many B24 Ford bombers actually went to war. They were building them a tone every 55 minutes at the end, so theu said????? That's allot of parts!!!!!
Gramps

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

I cannot help but wonder how well "quality control" was at that speed. The "incoming" was not the only enemy those brave men endured. I had a friend that told me stories about WW11 flights. He passed in 2021 at 104 years old. I flew in a B-17 in 2007 and that was a memorable experience thinking how those guys must have felt. No protection from the extreme cold or the enemy. My respect for them wells up whenever I think about it.

Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing
 

The homefront history book DON'T YOU KNOW THERE'S A WAR ON addresses the subject of war worker housing (or lack of) in Michigan, especially concerning the Willow Run plant.
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Re: River Rouge/ Ypsilanti - war plant worker housing