Chicago Assembly, automobile manufacturing plant owned by Ford Motor Company
Chicago Assembly is a Ford Motor Company factory located in the Hegewisch neighborhood on the Southeast Side of Chicago along the Calumet River. The plant operates around the clock with more than 4,700 workers across three shifts, currently producing the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles.
The plant opened in February 1924, making it the oldest continuously operating Ford factory in the United States. During World War II, the facility shifted to building tanks and scout cars for the military before returning to vehicle production after the war ended.
The site is an active manufacturing facility and not open to visitors without prior approval. Anyone interested in visiting should contact Ford in advance to inquire about organized tours or special events that might be available.
The plant was where the first Model Ts were manufactured at scale using modern assembly line methods in 1924, helping revolutionize automobile production. These production techniques laid the foundation for mass manufacturing of vehicles worldwide.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
