Historic Detroit

Every building in Detroit has a story — we're here to share it

Uniroyal - Old photos

The Morgan & Wright plant at back left, shortly following completion of the building in 1921

The U.S. Tires plant, later Uniroyal, towers in the background

The original Morgan & Wright building. Behind it is Building No. 1 (left) and Building No. 5.

Photo of the abandoned Uniroyal plant as seen from the Douglas MacArthur Bridge in May 1985, five years after its closure and shortly before its demolition.

The Uniroyal plant looms behind the Douglas MacArthur Bridge on May 28, 1985, five years after it was closed and shortly before its demolition that year.

The Uniroyal plant from East Jefferson Avenue

The abandoned Uniroyal plant in May 1985

The Morgan & Wright addition along East Jefferson on June 14, 1985

Uniroyal on June 14, 1985, five years after its closure

The abandoned Uniroyal plant with the Renaissance Center in the distance on May 28, 1985

Uniroyal, as seen looking southwest on Jefferson Avenue

A mural depicting tires that faced east on Jefferson Avenue that was part of Uniroyal's beautification efforts

The Uniroyal plant, as seen looking west on East Jefferson toward downtown, on May 7, 1985. A tire mural can be seen.

Uniroyal, as seen from Belle Isle, on May 23, 1985, five years after it closed and the year it was demolished.

The Uniroyal plant on May 28, 1985, as seen from the Douglas MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle

Uniroyal, looking west down East Jefferson with the Renaissance Center in the distance, in 1985.

The Albert Kahn-designed Morgan & Wright building (1920-21), looking south down Bellevue toward the Detroit River with the Frederick Stearns Building (Lofts at Rivertown) on the right. Photo taken in 1985.

A room in one of the Uniroyal plant buildings after its 1980 closure and 1985 demolition

How the Uniroyal plant looked in 1985 ahead of demolition. The factory complex closed in 1980.

One of the rooms in the abandoned factory in 1985 ahead of demolition

Photo of the Uniroyal plant in 1985, five years after its closure and shortly before demolition

The Morgan-Wright factory, which would later become Uniroyal, under construction

Women make tires during World War II at the Uniroyal plant.

The Uniroyal plant, as seen from Belle Isle.

Tires being made at the Uniroyal plant

Uniroyal is seen at back left with the temporary Belle Isle bridge, which replaced the first one that burned