When planning your Detroit itinerary, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant might not be the first attraction that comes to mind—but after our recent visit, we’re convinced it absolutely deserves a spot on your must-see list. Tucked away in the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood of Detroit (named for its historic railway connections), this unassuming building holds an incredible piece of American history: it’s where Henry Ford built the legendary Model T before revolutionizing manufacturing with the moving assembly line.

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A Factory Frozen in Time

Walking into the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is like stepping back to the early 1900s. This modest factory represents a fascinating moment in automotive history—before manufacturers really understood how to design car factories efficiently. The building’s design was actually borrowed from textile factories of the era, which worked well in some ways and not so well in others. It’s absolutely fascinating to see how they moved cars between floors during the assembly process, using an “assemble in place” approach where workers moved to the equipment rather than the other way around.

The multi-story layout featured different floors for various stages of production—final assembly on one level, tooling and other work on others. It’s a far cry from the sprawling, horizontal assembly lines we associate with modern car manufacturing, but seeing this earlier approach really drives home just how revolutionary Ford’s later innovations would become.

More Than Just Model Ts

Ford Model N

While the factory is famous as the birthplace of the Model T, you’ll find so much more here. The collection includes numerous Model Ts in various configurations, but what really surprised us were all the other Ford models we’d never heard of. Everyone knows about the Model T and the Model A, but what about the cars in between? Most people don’t realize there was an original Model A—and that the famous Model A everyone thinks of was actually the second one, reintroduced after the Model T’s incredible run.

At the Piquette Plant, you can see rare models like the Model B and Model N, cars that most people have never encountered. The collection beautifully illustrates the evolution of automotive design, from Henry Ford’s first creation—the Quadricycle, which truly looked like a “horseless carriage”—through to vehicles that began resembling modern automobiles. Watching this progression unfold is genuinely captivating.

Take the Guided Tour

Here’s our biggest tip: time your visit to join one of the free guided tours. We cannot stress this enough—the tour makes all the difference. Without a knowledgeable guide, you might walk through and think, “Okay, it’s an old car,” and move on. But with a guide explaining the context, the innovations, and the stories behind each vehicle, the entire experience comes alive. Our tour guide walked us through the evolutionary journey of automotive design and helped us understand what we were actually looking at.

Plan Your Visit

The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is located in the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood. While the immediate area might seem quiet today, don’t let that deter you—this hidden gem is worth seeking out. The plant is part of the MotorCities National Heritage Area, recognizing its importance to American industrial history.

Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a history buff, or just someone who appreciates seeing where innovation happened, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant offers a unique glimpse into the birth of the automobile industry. It’s authentic, educational, and surprisingly engaging—definitely worthy of a spot on any Detroit itinerary. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the museum at FordPiquettePlant.org.

Thanks for stopping by! Check out our Go See Do Explore Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. To read about some of our previous trips, visit my Trips Page. If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram! For my list of gadgets to make your travels easier, click here.