The Gar Wood factory is no longer standing. Wood obtained the land from C. Harold Wills who was the chief engineer for Henry Ford and contributed greatly to many Ford vehicles including helping design the Model "T". Wills started his own car company in 1921 and built the factory in Marysville. Address: 305 and 502 River Road, Marysville, MI 48079
Artifacts of Gar Wood exist at 4 local locations:
Marine City Pride and Heritage Museum Address: 405 S. Main St., Marine City, MI 48039 Phone: (810) 765-5446 Website: www.marinecitymuseum.com/
Algonac Clay Historical Museum Address: 1240 St. Clair River Drive, Algonac, MI 48001 Phone: (810) 794-9015 Website: www.achistory.com/ach1/index.php
Algonac Maritime Musuem Address: 1117 St. Clair River Drive, Algonac, MI 48001 Phone: (810) 794-9015 Website: www.achistory.com/ach1/index.php
Packard Proving Grounds Address: 49965 Van Dyke, Shelby Township, MI 48317 Phone: (586) 739-4800 Website: packardprovinggrounds.org/
the story
Gar Wood was an inventor, entrepreneur, motor boat builder, and boat racer who held numerous world speedboat records in the U.S. and abroad. At one point he held more patents than any other living American.
Photo Courtesy of the Detroit Public Library
His boat racing wins were truly astounding winning the Gold Cup from 1917 to 1921. He won the Harmsworth Trophy in 1920, 1921, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, and 1932. Gar also set world water speed records in 1920, 1921, 1928, 1931, and 1932.
Photo Courtesy of The Detroit Public Library
Gar Wood never had plans to become a boat builder but did so in his plants in Detroit, Algonac, and here in Marysville...
Wood made the money to pursue boat building because of his Detroit business. He patented the dump mechanism still used in dump trucks today...
Among his other endeavors, there were Gar Wood buses produced in his Detroit factory inspired by the Stout Scarab...
Photos Courtesy of The Detroit Public Library
Boats were made at the Marysville factory until 1947. Gar Wood passed away in 1971 having changed the marine, automotive, and racing industries forever.
