Wayne County -
Willow Run
Airport
History
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B-24 Final Assembly, Willow Run
Plant, ca. 1944
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Willow Run Airport has a rich history, dating
back to 1941 when Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh built the
worlds largest bomber facility at the airport.
- During World War II, almost 8,700 B-24 "Liberator" bombers
were built at Willow Run. During its peak production, the plant
employed 42,000 people including "Rosie the Riviter".
- I-94 freeway was extended to Willow Run by Henry Ford to ease
transportation to the bomber plant.
- After the war, the bomber plant was converted into a luxury
passenger terminal. Commercial airline traffic was transferred
from Detroit City Airport, and Willow Run became Detroit's principal
airport.
- In 1947, the federal government sold Willow Run to the University
of Michigan for $1.00.
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B-24 Flight Operations, 1945 |
In the 1950's, some commercial air traffic
began moving from Willow Run to Detroit Metro Airport. By 1966,
all commercial
airline traffic moved to Metro. Willow Run has been a cargo,
general aviation and executive aviation airport since.
- In 1977, the University of Michigan sold Willow Run to Wayne
County for $1.00.
- Today, Willow Run is one the United States biggest cargo airports.
:: Yankee Airforce
Museum ::
:: Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield
Village ::
Photos from the Henry Ford Museum
© Copyright
1995 The Edison Institute: Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield
Village
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