58 Bagley Avenue Shed at Its Original Site, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1908

THF235476 / 58 Bagley Avenue Shed at Its Original Site, Detroit, Michigan, circa 1908
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Artifact Overview

This shed sat behind a house at 58 Bagley Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, where Henry and Clara Ford lived for 3-1/2 years. Henry and friends built the Quadricycle, Ford's first automobile, in the shed in 1896. Many years later, Ford had the building reconstructed in Greenfield Village. Photographs of the original building and site helped ensure the replica's accuracy.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Postcard

Subject Date

circa 1908

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

EI.1929.98

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Cardboard

Technique

Printing (Process)

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 3.50 in
Width: 5.50 in

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    Bagley Avenue Workshop

    Henry Ford transformed the storage shed behind his family's rented duplex at 58 Bagley Avenue in Detroit into a workshop. Here, in 1896, he built his first car -- the "Quadricycle." In 1933, Ford reconstructed the shed in Greenfield Village. The original shed had been torn down, so he reportedly used bricks from a wall of the Bagley Avenue residence instead.
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    The Quadricycle was Henry Ford's first attempt to build a gasoline-powered automobile. It utilized commonly available materials: angle iron for the frame, a leather belt and chain drive for the transmission, and a buggy seat. Ford had to devise his own ignition system. He sold his Quadricycle for $200, then used the money to build his second car.