Site of the Detroit Arsenal - Dearborn, MI - American Guide Series on Waymarking.com

SITE OF THE DEROIT ARSENAL is bounded by Morley Ave. on the north, Mason St. on the west, Michigan Ave. on the south, and Oakwood Ave. on the east. The arsenal, which originally consisted of 11 buildings (5 of which are still standing), was used a munitions depot from 1833 to 1875. The OFFICERS' HEADQUARTERS, Michigan Ave. and Monroe Blvd., of unpretentious Georgian-Colonial design, have been thoroughly remodeled within, to house the headquarters of Precint No. 2 of the Dearborn Police Station. Farther west on Michigan Ave. the CANNON STOREHOUSE, Monroe BLVD. and Michigan Ave., where cannon and larger ordnance were once stored, is now a flower store. THE SMITHY and PAINT SHOP, Garrison Ave. between Mason St. and Monroe BLVD., are temporary warehouses at the rear of the West Dearborn Branch Post Office. The GOVERNMENT WINE CELLAR, NE. corner Monroe Blvd. and Garrison Ave., is a private residence. At the E. end of Garrison AVe. on Brady St. is the POWDER MAGAZINE, now a private dwelling. - Michigan: A Guide to the Wolverine State 1941

The arsenal was eventually judged to be no longer useful, and in 1877 the US government auctioned off the buildings. The only building remaining of the original eleven that is still in its original location and form is the commandant's quarters.

After 1877, the armory was adapted as a civic center named the "Liberty Hall," hosting events such as dancing, lodge meetings, and roller skating. In 1899, the armory was converted into a woolen mill; in 1910 the mill was destroyed in a fire. The bricks from the building were used to build new houses, some of which still stand in the area.

The guard house, enlisted men's barracks, and the surgeon's quarters were used as residences. In 1893, all three were demolished to build a school. The sutler's shop was remodeled and used for, among other things, a doctor's office. The carpenter shop and the smith's shop were combined into one two-story, three-unit building. The structure was used as a lumber mill and later by the Detroit-Dearborn Motor Car Company and by a paint shop.

The saddler's shop was used as a residence, and in the 1920s was converted into the Dearborn Town Hall. It was used for meetings until 1928.

It was sold to S. S. Kresge and removed from the property. The structure was destroyed in 1946.

The gun carriage shed was converted into a two-story structure in 1906 for use by the Masonic Temple. It was later used by Pride Cleaners; it is currently home to a European Bakery. The arsenal office was used as a residence, and later as a commercial store. It was demolished in the early 20th century. The powder magazine was converted into a private residence in 1883 by Nathaniel Ross. The structure was donated to the city of Dearborn in 1950. Currently located at 915 Brady Street, it was renamed the McFadden-Ross House after it was donated to the City to be used as a museum.

The last remaining structure of the original eleven, the commandant's quarters, served as a social and cultural center in Dearborn until 1875. The building was later used as a library, American Legion hall, a town hall, police station, school, and a newspaper office. In 1949, the commandant's quarters was purchased by the Dearborn Historical Commission for use as a museum. The building was restored in 1959, and in 1970 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It currently houses the Dearborn Historical Museum. -from Wikipedia

Book: Michigan Page Number(s) of Excerpt: 227 Year Originally Published: 1941

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