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Detroit circa 1915. "Chalmers Motor Company plant, Jefferson Avenue." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
This view only lasted until 1933. That's when the Art Moderne Chrysler Corporation Office and Display Building was built. It was designed by architect Albert Kahn, who also designed the original Chalmers plant. The building displayed cars, but didn't sell them to avoid competing with dealers.
I would never have guessed this factory was from 1915. Without the signage and the car, I would assume this picture was from decades later.
Chalmers and the Maxwell company were eventually reorganized as Chrysler, and this plant made vehicles from 1908 to 1991, when it was demolished. It's said to have been the longest-lived auto assembly plant in the U.S.
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