Before becoming Ford’s vehicle proving grounds, the Ford Dearborn Development Center was originally home to a fleet of different machines: it was a fully functioning airport. The 260-acre Ford Airport was one of the first modern airports in the U.S., featuring concrete runways and pioneering innovations in aviation during the early 1900s.
Henry and Edsel Ford were interested in more than just four-wheeled ground-craft. They endeavored to put The Blue Oval ahead in the field of aviation, helping to build an early monoplane that sourced power from the engine out of a Model T in 1909. Ford went on to produce Liberty aircraft engines in droves during World War I, and Edsel Ford invested in Stout Metal Aircraft Company before FoMoCo ultimately acquired the company as part of its Airplane Development Division. During mass production at Ford Airport, the manufacturer churned out 200 Tri-Motor planes.
Ford Airport housed the world’s first regularly scheduled commercial airline, facilitating freight service from Detroit to Chicago by way of its Air Transport Service. It was also home to the first paved runway, which was built in 1928, and was one of the first sites to feature a hotel for air travelers, opening the Dearborn Inn in 1931. However, the Great Depression snuffed out Ford’s aviation ventures, which slowly declined until ceasing completely in 1947.
The first vehicle test track at the Dearborn Development Center was laid around the runways in 1938, while a large brick wall was built in the 1950s to keep curious eyes out as the automaker began testing its latest projects. While its days as a fully functional airport are behind it, it was used as a landing strip for Ford’s centennial celebration in 2003, hosting a fleet of vintage aircraft for display.
Ultimately, the former Ford Airport was renovated into its current form as part of a major reconstruction effort in 2005. It gained more track surfaces and handling courses, ultimately taking on the Dearborn Development Center title in 2006. The final original airport building was dismantled in 2018. Where runways and terminals once stood, miles of test track currently reside.
Comments
Very interesting story that I previously knew nothing about. Thanks!
WOW! I did not know that it was an airport. We were there in 2000 for the Ford SVT Experience. My wife had a ’99 SVT Contour and our oldest son bought a 2000 SVT Contour and we were invited to join at the SVT Convention, for about 4 days. We got to see a lot of secret stuff, as well as inside some buildings with the crash testing and many other things. As part of the convention, there was a car show for only SVT products and our son won 1st place in the Contour division with his Contour and the wing he had on the back.
During those days, we got to tour the Mustang plant, as well as the drag strip, to name a few of the events.