Murray Field

Can you imagine a factory so grand it hosted a Corvette unveiling? Right here, at what’s now the Russell Industrial Center, stands the legacy of the Murray Body Plant. Murray Field, as it was once known, has seen Detroit’s automotive history unfold since 1915. Designed by the renowned Albert Kahn, Murray Field supplied bodies for Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, and more. Remember the iconic 1932 Ford Deluxe three-window coupe? Murray Field crafted its body, painted it, trimmed it, then shipped it off to Dearborn for final assembly. This wasn’t just an assembly line. Murray Field was a design hub. It provided in-house engineers and stylists for automakers lacking their own. That 1935 Hupmobile? Its cab and roof share a striking resemblance to the 1933-34 Ford because Murray Field passed down the old Ford body dies to Hupmobile. Even the legendary coachbuilder, Dietrich, Inc., operated within the Murray Field complex. As automakers consolidated, Murray Field’s role diminished. Some of its last major contracts were for the 1953-54 Hudson Jet and the 1952-55 Willys Aero. But this location holds more than just automotive history. Just steps from Murray Field, you stand at Milwaukee Junction, the heart of Detroit’s early auto industry. Two major railroads intersected here, fueling the Motor City’s growth. Ford, Cadillac, Dodge, Packard, and numerous suppliers, all clustered around Milwaukee Junction, drawn by its logistical advantages. Today, the spirit of Murray Field lives on in the Russell Industrial Center. It’s a home for small businesses, artists’ studios, and vibrant events like the Russell Bazaar and the People’s Arts Festival. Murray Field’s legacy has transformed, but it hasn’t faded.