Factory #10

The steel skeleton shown below is being bricked over. Update: This building was totally demolished between 2011 and 2012.

Zoomed out view of the scene shown below. Division Street will eventually run through the foreground.  News story.

This east view shows the steel workers have been busy.

A nice view of the construction of the sand reclamation area that was so important to the whole process. This is the east wall facing north towards Stewart Street.

This area was where the sand reclamation area was located. Update: this was demolished in early 2012.

Facing north-west at the rapidly growing building.

Looking at the north face of factory #10 (or building #20) from across Stewart Street. Almost same view in 1943. Liberator heads were already coming from this building, even though it is not yet finished.

Were looking at the north east corner of factory #10 which was, for a short time numbered #05 and was also known as building #20. That is the Pere Marquette rail line in the foreground. UPDATE: this was the last part left to fall to the demolition teams in early 2012.

Concrete footings going in. The house in the distance are along Industrial Avenue.

Once the outer walls of the foundation are in, the pillars of the concrete foundation follow right behind. This view is facing west.

Foundation walls going up in this west facing view.

Facing east towards the future site of factory #05. Division Street-north will run about midway in the distance.

Foundations of concrete almost ready for the cobwebs of steel that will make up the main floor of the factory. You are facing north. That is the old Armstrong spring plant in the right background.

Facing north-east towards Stewart Street. More foundation walls going in. That is the old Armstrong spring plant in the right background.

The steel workers have been busy and this part of the building will soon have a roof and be producing cylinder heads. The Buick water towers and smoke stacks are visible beyond factory #30. Part of the gray iron foundry #70 is also visible in the distant center.

The foundation is much farther along than shown below.

Facing south at the growing foundation with factory #30 in the background. Much work has gone on since the photo shown below.

Facing south, south-east showing back-fill around the concrete footings. I think that the structure with the stack is a temporary powerhouse just for construction purposes. I'm not sure at this time.

This view looking south-west you can really see the basement starting to take shape. That is the brass and aluminum foundry #30 in the left background. Off center right you can see the "All Saints" Church and school. At the far left distance you can see the matching stacks from the Buick powerhouse #14.

This west facing view shows the pillars of concrete being poured.

Foundation walls are starting to grow. Were still looking west.

Here we are looking west with some of the footings ready to be poured.

I believe were looking east towards the Buick Heights. there is much water from the spring thaw of 1942. This was the dumping ground for used molding sand from all the old foundry's over the years

Excavation for the footings of the foundation. I think were looking to the west.

This is February (possibly the 17th) 1942 and construction is just beginning. There was such a hurry for the heads, that they were already being temporarily made in the iron foundry #70. As work progressed on this building #20, some areas were already turning out parts before other areas were even roofed over.

This blueprint shows one of the numerous layouts for the new aluminum factory being built in 1942.

Same view only the factory is now finished.

This view of factory #10 during construction was taken from the roof of factory #30 facing northeast toward the former site of factory #27. This photo was taken in 1942. The original designation of this factory was #05 but the number was transferred to building #43, the J-65 factory in 1956. My sister Lynn Carley worked here for awhile in the mid 70's.

 Links:

Demolition View 2012

Liberator Engine work at Buick.

Buick WWII First Metal July 17,1942