Ford Motor Company’s Highland Park Plant, birthplace of the Ford Model T circa 1910 - courtesy of Detroit Publishing Company
Join us as we explore Pewabic’s connection to the automotive industry in celebration of the world famous and highly anticipated North American International Auto Show. With Detroit Month of Design well underway, we wanted to take a closer look at the relatively unknown threads binding Pewabic Pottery to Detroit’s automotive legacy.
In 1903 Pewabic was officially founded by Mary Chase Perry Stratton and Horace James Caulkins. That same year, Henry Ford established Ford Motor Company in close proximity to Pewabic’s first studio space referred to as the “Stable Studio” in the Brush Park neighborhood of Detroit.
Exterior of the Stable Studio in Brush Park, circa 1903 - For more details on our origin story, please see our blog post titled Pewabic’s Early Years
Pewabic Co-Founders Horace James Caulkins and Mary Chase Perry Stratton standing outside of Pewabic Pottery, circa 1918.
Another bright talent experienced a meteoric rise in the year 1903. Aptly described as “Detroit’s architect", Albert Kahn was carving his own path by creating spaces built to accommodate the moving assembly line and innovating automobile plant layouts––the echoes of which are still found in automotive manufacturing facilities across the country today.
Portrait of a Albert Kahn for the Detroit Society of Arts & Crafts alongside a photo of the Ford Highland Park Plant, from the Keystone / Everett Collection
Albert’s brother Julius, a talented civil engineer, came up with the “Kahn System” of construction. Julius' novel and scientific approach allowed him to reinforce concrete with steel, making reinforced concrete construction the practical choice for factory interiors. By 1905 there were hundreds of buildings in the United States constructed using the Kahn System, including the first automotive plant constructed for the Cadillac Motor Car Company.
Kahn implemented the German architectural idea that form should follow function and performance. His designs exposed the framing of each building which were distinguished by their minimal concrete pillars and open floor plates. This layout allowed exterior walls to be left completely open, leaving generous space for windows which provided ample ventilation and natural light.
Illustrated postcard depicting The Cadillac Place, formerly the General Motors Building which served as headquarters from 1923 - 2001 designed by Albert Kahn courtesy of Don Harrison, “Up North Memories” on Flickr
Kahn’s architectural approach was considered to be very radical at this point in history. He quickly caught the attention of Henry Ford who commissioned him to design the Highland Park Plant in 1909 which was the first automotive facility in the world to implement the moving assembly line.
The provision of generous daylight intrinsically tied to Kahn’s work led to far fewer production errors, securing Henry Ford as a returning client for over one-thousand projects. The Highland Park Plant could now send completed Model T vehicles off the assembly line in roughly ten seconds. Increased production meant more Americans at the wheel. This innovation arguably helped put the “Motor City” on the map.
Ford Motor Company’s Highland Park Plant from the 1920s - scan from Hour Detroit
Pewabic Tile features visible on the Highland Park Plant’s exterior as it stands today
Detroit Society of Arts & Crafts courtyard, circa 1912 from Pewabic’s archival collection
Establishments like Pewabic and the Detroit Arts & Crafts Society provided much-needed work for craftspeople and a haven for artists at a time where industry was the driving force behind Detroit’s economy. Ironically, those directly involved in revolutionizing mass production later went on to commission work from Pewabic and other artisans in Detroit. Albert Kahn and Pewabic’s co-founders first crossed paths in 1904 through the Detroit Museum of Art now known as the Detroit Institute of Arts.
They collaborated on an exhibition that promoted the Arts and Crafts movement in America, planting the seed of what would become the Detroit Society of Arts & Crafts. Kahn was a member of the original exhibition committee & founding member of the Detroit Society of Arts & Crafts alongside Pewabic co-founders Mary Chase Perry Stratton, Horace Caulkins, and Pewabic’s architect William Stratton.
From left to right: Horace James Caulkins, Mary Chase Perry Stratton, and Pewabic Pottery’s architect William Buck Stratton
While at a glance the kinship Albert Kahn felt towards an art movement largely known for its rejection of industrialization seems nonsensical, he always made a conscious effort to incorporate intentionally crafted work into his buildings’ interiors and exteriors. Kahn was a known lover of art and craftsmanship in various expressions, and wholly embraced his affiliations with Detroit’s art community. This facet of his interests led him to commission handcrafted work from Pewabic and other artisans on countless projects. The Fisher Building built in 1928 is just one of the numerous examples with its extensive mosaics, handcrafted brass railings, and intricate bronze work.
Illustrated postcard depicting an aerial view of the General Motors Building, Fisher Building, and Art Center Building - courtesy of Don Harrison, “Up North Memories” on Flickr
Today we are highlighting a handful of Pewabic tile projects found in automotive plants, starting with one of Albert Kahn’s first commissions of the pottery in 1907 for the newly constructed Chalmers Motor Company building. Kahn ordered tasteful tile panels for the exterior entrance of the building. Chalmers later merged with Maxwell Automotive, forming the foundation of what would become Chrysler.
Chalmers Motor Company designed by Albert Kahn with Pewabic tile features at the entrance of the building - Note: this facility has since been demolished, but was once situated a few blocks away from Pewabic at Jefferson & Lycaste
Proceeding the Chalmers project, Kahn commissioned work from Pewabic for the Detroit headquarters of Lozier Motor Company in 1910. The geometric tile features outlined the top perimeter of the building’s exterior. Lozier Motor Company originated in Plattsburgh, New York and was a brass era producer of luxury automobiles in operation from 1900 - 1918.
Lozier Motor Company, designed by Albert Kahn featuring Pewabic tile on the exterior perimeter
Pewabic was hired to provide more substantial tile-work for the new Hudson Motor Company built that same year in 1910. Hudson Motor Car company was established in 1909 and ceased production in 1954. The building was located diagonally from the Chalmers Automobile Plant on an impressive twenty-two acres. More Pewabic tile was added throughout Hudson’s operational years––including a tile-lined entrance, drinking fountain, tile stairs, and more.
Hudson Motor Car Company designed by Albert Kahn with custom Pewabic tile panels
Hudson Motor Car Company President Roscoe B. Jackson was so impressed with Pewabic’s work that he added several installations to his own Arts and Crafts-style prairie home built in 1918. This home designed by Leonard Willeke in Detroit’s Indian Village neighborhood housed some of the most extensive Pewabic tile-work of any private residence at that time.
One of the many rooms with large-scale Pewabic tile installations at the Roscoe B. Jackson residence
We have only scratched the surface of the Pewabic tile-work found in automobile plants, but we would be remiss not to mention the long-standing relationship between Pewabic and the Ford Motor Company. As early as 1909, members of the Ford family were purchasing pottery and installations for their homes. Pewabic crafted tiles that went on to adorn countless exteriors of Ford manufacturing facilities, including but not limited to Highland Park Plant (1910), Omaha Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant (1916), and the Oklahoma City Ford Assembly Plant (1916).
Omaha's Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
If this article piques your interest, we encourage you to RSVP to our upcoming Virtual History Talk with Pewabic’s Education Director and Archivist Annie Dennis. Annie will be showcasing more Pewabic tiles found in automobile manufacturing spaces––expanding upon Pewabic’s ties to Albert Kahn and other notable figures orbiting the pottery during a pivotal point in Detroit history.
Pewabic’s Education Director and Archivist, Annie Dennis who will be hosting this month’s exciting Virtual History Talk–– “Pewabic & the Automotive Industry”
This event and all Virtual History Talks are free and open to the public thanks to the generous operating support provided by our members, donors, the Michigan Arts & Culture Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Register and save your spot while we have openings available! If you are unable to attend this month’s talk, please view our upcoming events page for future virtual and in-person Pewabic happenings.
