Sunday, June 08, 2008

The Ford Rotunda in Dearborn Michigan

Another influence on Walt Disney to build Disneyland was Greenfield Village created by Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Located close to the Village was the Ford Rotunda. The Rotunda was the Tomorrowland to Greenfield Village's Main Street. The Rotunda was where the Ford dream cars were shown along with various displays of the process of manufacturing cars. Surrounding the Rotunda were small snippets of famous roads. Some of these elements were repeated in Tomorrowland in Disneyland, albeit with a different manufacturer. The Rotunda building was originally built at the Chicago World's Fair and then moved and constructed using more permanent methods near the Ford factory. In 1962 the building burnt down. For more information on the Rotunda.

7 comments:

The Viewliner Limited said...

WOW! How great are these pics?

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

Fascinating Post! I love the giant "dish" the show car is present on in your last pic, oh how I wish I could have visit this place and the Motorama shows! Thanks for the rare photos!

Major Pepperidge said...

These are fantastic! I have a nice exterior of the building from the 50's, but those interiors are amazing. Thanks!

walterworld said...

Great shots! Nice finds these...

outsidetheberm said...

These are really wonderful. You don't often find good interior shots.

Thanks so much.

Anonymous said...

Such a shame that America has long lost its way with regards to such forward-thinking innovation and marketing.

Anonymous said...

These are totally accurate pictures. Oh how I miss this wonderful building!