Township named an American World War II Heritage City

Sep. 19, 2024  PLYMOUTH VOICE.

Plymouth Michigan News

Henry Ford’s cottage industry is  once again in the community spotlight with the announcement that Plymouth Township was selected as one of eight newly named American World War II Heritage Cites, recognized by the National Park Service for their part in the contribution to the war effort.

For decades two of Ford’s historic local factories that once housed manufacturing plants and were part of his “Village Industries” are still standing  having sat vacant and deteriorating. Ford believed in using clean and readily-available sources of water and located all of his cottage industry plants on the tributaries of the Middle Rouge River.

At 230 Wilcox Road, across from Wilcox Pond –  later known as Wilcox Lake, is the location of the ‘Wilcox Mill’ Plymouth site now under restoration.

At 14973 Northville Road, at Hines Drive, located in Plymouth Township, is the site of Ford’s Phoenix Mill plant now fully restored.

Ford’s former Plymouth and Plymouth Township property and buildings were importantly recognized by the Plymouth Township Historic District Commission who promoted and fostered community preservation.

Press Release:

Plymouth Township has been named an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service. Communities with a history of contributing to the war effort during World War II were eligible to nominate their community for inclusion in the American World War II Heritage City program. The program was established by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019. The program honors contributions of towns, cities and counties where citizens stepped into the workforce to support America’s war effort during WWII.

The announcement was made by the National Park Service on Tuesday via their website: “The Program is pleased to announce the designation of eight newly named American World War II Heritage Cities: Arkansas (Calhoun and Ouachita Counties), Michigan (Plymouth Township), Northern Mariana Islands (Municipality of Tinian & Aguiguan), North Dakota (Valley City), Rhode Island (North Kingstown), Oklahoma (Ponca City and Kay County), South Carolina (Sumter City and County), Utah (Ogden).” Plymouth Township is honored to be included in the program with so many other communities from across the nation that answered the call to defend democracy.

Plymouth Township was nominated for this designation by the Historic District Commission. “When we learned of the program, we immediately thought of Plymouth’s ladies who worked at the Phoenix Mill during World War II producing electrical parts for the B-24 Liberators. It really was a workplace like no other at that time with most of the workforce being local women. Ford paid the ladies the same wages that were being earned by men in other Ford factories” said Plymouth Township Historic District Commission Chairperson, Wendy Harless. “We are so fortunate that Critical Mass, LLC stepped up to purchase this historic factory from Wayne County and performed a meticulous restoration to save the historic structure. We are so appreciative of Critical Mass’s efforts to bring this building back for the community to enjoy.” Harless added.

“When I first learned about the National Parks Service American WWII Heritage City program I reached out to former Plymouth Township Historic District member, Jack Dempsey, to let him know about this opportunity. We discussed the extraordinary work that had taken place to preserve Phoenix Mill and how the women who worked there supported Michigan’s role as the arsenal of democracy in WWII. With Jack’s encouragement, the Plymouth Township Historic District Commission moved forward with our application. Through this recognition the experiences and sacrifices of these women will be remembered and honored into the future.” said Plymouth Township Historic District Commissioner Carol Souchock.

“Plymouth Township’s designation as a WW2 Heritage community underscores our important role in that conflict and the dedication of our Historic District Commission to bring that story to life for our residents and future generations.  It further shows that Plymouth Township is a great place to live.” Commented Plymouth Township Supervisor, Kurt Heise.

Phoenix Mill is currently the home to a landscape architecture firm with rental event space on the lower level. The restoration took place partially during COVID lockdown with just one or two workers in the building at a time to comply with social distancing directives. More information about the history of Phoenix Mill can be found at the Plymouth Historical Museum located in the heart of Plymouth at 155 S Main St.

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Plymouth Voice.