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Old 01-20-2017, 09:44 AM   #1
31 Model A
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Default Henry Ford and St Louis????

While listening the local radio channel just now, it was stated that Henry Ford first came to StL to open up his 'horseless carriage' factory and the leaders threw him and his idea out.
Did a search and I can't find any info on this. Can someone shed some light whether this is true or "fake news" ?
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Old 01-20-2017, 12:15 PM   #2
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Default Re: Henry Ford and St Louis????

Maybe he didn't approve of Judy Garland.
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Old 01-20-2017, 01:09 PM   #3
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Lived in StL for 63 years and I've read most every book about Henry Ford there is, and I've never heard that one. His network of associates who were helping him and who he was collaborating with were all in Detroit, so it doesn't make sense to me. Most all the original investors were Detroit folks, so why would he move? And Detroit had a more solid and booming manufacturing base, machine shops, etc. than StL at the time I think. St. Louis did have some pretty early auto manufacturers, though.

He did have a facility in StL that I think opened not long after the company was founded; as a member of the StL V8 Club we visited it a number of years ago. It was about a block from the Fox Theater just off Grand Ave. to those who know St. Louis geography. But it burned down probably 15 years ago and last I was there, the site was vacant. I believe they assembled knocked down Model T's there, and had a district office, until they built the big assembly plant on Forest Park Blvd around 1914-15. That plant has been saved, and is now apartments. I don't have access to my copy of "The Ford Factory" by Lorin Sorensen, which has some details about all the early Ford sites.
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Old 01-20-2017, 01:22 PM   #4
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Default Re: Henry Ford and St Louis????

Ed,
Bruce has good insight to the history here in St. Louis and I think he's right.
Although there was a lot here, Henry would have favored the Detroit area industry and I believe where he was from.
Sure would have been neat to walk an old factory back in the day.
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Old 01-20-2017, 01:31 PM   #5
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Larry... Have you been to the Ford Piquette Ave. plant in Detroit? That is a walk back in time!

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Old 01-20-2017, 01:48 PM   #6
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Thought so, heard it on the Charlie Brennan show this morning...............'fake news'. Think I'll give him a call on the open line Monday or Tuesday and give him some straight talk.
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Old 01-20-2017, 03:45 PM   #7
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Default Re: Henry Ford and St Louis????

I wouldn't call it fake news, maybe it is something you don't know, was mischaracterized or just misinformed. I wonder if it had anything to do with the first time he wanted to build a plant there? Just because we have not heard of it does not make it false. It doesn't meant it was true, either. Ask for more information!

Here is a link to the St. Louis Model T plant. http://collections.mohistory.org/resource/145033.html'
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Old 01-20-2017, 05:37 PM   #8
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Default Re: Henry Ford and St Louis????

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I wouldn't call it fake news, maybe it is something you don't know, was mischaracterized or just misinformed. I wonder if it had anything to do with the first time he wanted to build a plant there? Just because we have not heard of it does not make it false. It doesn't meant it was true, either. Ask for more information!

Here is a link to the St. Louis Model T plant. http://collections.mohistory.org/resource/145033.html'
Seems what was said on the radio was still not correct. The comment was the City administration would not allow Henry Ford to build here. I'll send your link to the radio station.
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Old 01-20-2017, 06:46 PM   #9
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Default Re: Henry Ford and St Louis????

Good to put erroneous information to rest! :-) He certainly built a plant in 1914!
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Old 01-20-2017, 06:57 PM   #10
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Good to put erroneous information to rest! :-) He certainly built a plant in 1914!
Next question, why didn't he stay here and build the Model A....or did he?
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Old 01-20-2017, 08:14 PM   #11
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Default Re: Henry Ford and St Louis????

My 31 late tudor body number is stamped STL or something like that :-) made in StLouis
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Old 01-20-2017, 08:43 PM   #12
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My 31 late tudor body number is stamped STL or something like that :-) made in StLouis
More good info...thanks.
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Old 01-20-2017, 08:48 PM   #13
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More good info...thanks.
Do u have any honeys in St.Louis??
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Old 01-20-2017, 09:15 PM   #14
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Do u have any honeys in St.Louis??
Is the Pope a Catholic?
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Old 01-21-2017, 08:29 AM   #15
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Default Re: Henry Ford and St Louis????

wasn't the proximity of Detroit to forests for lumber for car manufacture a big reason behind Detroit being a dominant center?
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Old 01-21-2017, 11:08 AM   #16
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Default Re: Henry Ford and St Louis????

Detroit was the hub because of proximity of coal, iron ore. railroad and river water transportation, including forrests for hard wood.
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Old 01-21-2017, 12:49 PM   #17
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Detroit was the hub because of proximity of coal, iron ore. railroad and river water transportation, including forrests for hard wood.
Henry once said transportation ( in his case water and rail ) and raw materials, either makes or breaks a company. Wayne

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Old 01-21-2017, 04:43 PM   #18
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Default Re: Henry Ford and St Louis????

Detroit also had lots the supporting manufacturers and suppliers needed. It had the critical mass of location, raw materials, other similar businesses, engineering talent and the like.
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