WHEELS WATER & ENGINES
  • Home
  • Manufacturers Museums and Historical Sites
  • Motorsports and Venues
  • Shows Cruises and Clubs
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Manufacturers Museums and Historical Sites
  • Motorsports and Venues
  • Shows Cruises and Clubs
  • Contact

Smiths Creek Train Depot & Thomas Edison

smiths creek train depot & Thomas Edison

The original Smiths Creek Train Depot has quite a history with Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.  The building was moved to Greenfield Village by Henry Ford in 1929.
Address:  20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn MI 48024
Phone Number:  (313) 982-6001
Website::  www.thehenryford.org/visit/greenfield-village/
Picture
Picture
The original location of the depot
Address:  7082 Main Street, Smiths Creek, MI 48074(Approximate)
Picture

the story

Thomas Edison, who was one of the most prolific inventors in history, started out in humble beginnings.  He worked on the Port Huron to Detroit Grand Trunk Railroad route as a teenager selling newspapers and candy.  He would go by the Smiths Creek location every day on that route until 1863 when he accidentally set the baggage car on fire performing experiments on the train. 
Picture
Photo Courtesy of The Henry Ford
Edison told the story to Henry Ford and he found it amusing.  In 1929 Ford bought the depot and moved it to Greenfield Village.  In October of that year, ceremonies were held for the official opening of Greenfield Village and Edison's 50th Anniversary of inventing a practical incandescent lamp.  The event was called "Light's Golden Jubilee" and Ford, Edison, President Herbert Hoover, and others arrived by train to the Smiths Creek Depot.  Other dignitaries in attendance were John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Orville Wright, and Will Rogers...
Picture
Picture
Picture
Photos Courtesy of The Henry Ford
Thomas Edison was a mentor and friend to Henry Ford until his death.  It was his influence that caused Henry to press forward in his pursuit to bring the automobile to the common man.
Picture
Picture
Photos Courtesy of the Ford Motor Company Archives
Other depots that Edison visited on his route still exist.  You can find out more about his life and work here.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

references

  • The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
  • MichiganRailroads.com
  • Ford Motor Company Archives
  • Port Huron Museums
  • Mt. Clemens Transit Museum
​Manufacturers Museums and Historical Sites
Motorsports and Venues
Shows Cruises and Clubs
Heritage Trails
​Interviews
Contact

© COPYRIGHT 2022  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.