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19 classic photos of Ford Motor Company's history in Detroit

By Metro Times Staff

On June 4th, 1896, Henry Ford made his first successful test drive of his first car, the Quadricycle, in the streets of Detroit. Here's 19 photos showcasing the iconic, tumultuous history of Ford Motor Company. All photos from Virtual Motor City.

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Portrait of Edsel Ford, Charles Chaplin and Henry Ford standing in front of a large piece of machinery. (Photo credit: Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

Smokestacks and water tower of the power plant in Highland Park designed by architect Albert Kahn. From Virtual Motor City (Photo credit: Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

Employees striking. UAW Local 600 at City Gate 4, at River Rouge Plant Virtual Motor City (Photo credit: Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

Striking employees and Walter P. Reuther from Virtual Motor City (Photo credit: Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

Henry Ford with Thomas Edison from Virtual Motor City (Photo credit: Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

Employees from Virtual Motor City (Photo credit: Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

Future employees signing up for a job from Virtual Motor City (Photo credit: Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

Gibralter foundry from Virtual Motor City (Photo credit: Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)

making auto lamps at the Flat Rock plant from Virtual Motor City (Photo credit: Detroit News Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University)