Timeline by Arianna VanLue

1903 - Ford's offer

avanlue1 — 2025-04-02 14:09:00 UTC

Ford offers the Dodger brothers 1/10 interest rate in the Ford Motor Company. (https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2019/remembering-the-famous-dodge-brothers-a-brief-history)

1900 - Dodger shop established

avanlue1 — 2025-04-02 14:14:22 UTC

The Dodger brothers created a shop for their inventions. They started off with bikes that were commonly used at the time then evolved with the people started making automobiles. The first shop was on Beaubien Street and was moved to Hastings St. and Monroe years later. (https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2019/remembering-the-famous-dodge-brothers-a-brief-history)

1914 - First Model

nbirecki — 2025-04-02 14:16:16 UTC

Off the assembly line in Hamtramck rolled off the first Dodge model. This model had a very practical design and sold for $785. (https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2019/remembering-the-famous-dodge-brothers-a-brief-history)

1959 - Little League Wins

avanlue1 — 2025-04-02 14:24:50 UTC

On August 30, 1959, the Little League in Hamtramck won 12-0. (https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/108327648/)

1920 - Unfortunate Deaths

nbirecki — 2025-04-02 14:26:03 UTC

The brothers had died within months of each other. John had died from pneumonia in New York City and Horace died from influenza. Three years later, Walter P. Chrysler had bought Dodge for $170 million. (https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2019/remembering-the-famous-dodge-brothers-a-brief-history)

1955 - Auto-Snak

nbirecki — 2025-04-02 14:37:02 UTC

These were a set of food vending machines which dispensed soda, coffee, milk, sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries, and ice cream. (https://digital.hagley.org/islandora/search/Hamtramck?type=edismax&f%5B0%5D=-RELS_EXT_isMemberOfCollection_uri_ms%3A%28%22info%3Afedora/islandora%3Aead%22%29&f%5B1%5D=mods_subject_geographic_ms%3A%22Hamtramck%5C%20%5C%28Mich.%5C%29%22&islandora_solr_search_navigation=1)

1861 - Jobs created

avanlue1 — 2025-04-02 14:43:21 UTC

The Detroit Stove Works was made in Hamtramck Township and created over 1000 jobs. Employees made stoves such as the popular Magic Jewel model. (Hamtramck: Soul of a City by Greg Kowalski.)

1915 - The Touring Car

nbirecki — 2025-04-02 14:44:43 UTC

The brothers had offered a touring car which quickly became very popular. This was the cause of their 21,000 applications for their dealerships and sold 45,000 units. This was a huge success and became the number two US carmaker. (https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2019/remembering-the-famous-dodge-brothers-a-brief-history)

1798- Hamtramck established, named after Jean François Hamtramck

lyoakum1 — 2025-04-05 05:16:50 UTC

After British troops evacuated, the township of Hamtramck was established.

“Hamtramck Heritage Collection.” Hamtramck Historical Scans - 20060925-0135, hamtramck.lib.mi.us/hhc/large-134.html

“City History - Hamtramck, City (Wayne, MI).” Hamtramck, City (Wayne, MI) -, 27 Sept. 2024, hamtramckcity.gov/community/city-history/.

1920- Population growth due to polish immigration

lyoakum1 — 2025-04-05 05:18:28 UTC

The Dodge plant was a large pull factor for Polish immigration to Hamtramck. In 1920, the population significantly increased and Hamtramck became known as the Polish-American town.

“Boys at Tau Beta Community House, Hamtramck, Michigan, 1920-1935.” The Henry Ford, www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact

Polish Americans | Bentley Historical Library, bentley.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Polish_Americans_in_Michigan_Subject_Guide.pdf.

1907- First Catholic Church

lyoakum1 — 2025-04-05 05:29:01 UTC

Serving the needs of the expanding polish immigrant community, St. Florian Catholic Church was founded in 1907.

“St. Florian Roman Catholic Church in Hamtramck, Michigan. The Library of Congress, www.loc.gov

“St. Florian Church.” SAH ARCHIPEDIA, 17 June 2019, sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MI

1916- The First Established School: Hamtramck High School

lyoakum1 — 2025-04-05 05:57:02 UTC

Hamtramck High School was established in 1916. By 1925, 655 students were enrolled; more than Detroit’s Polish High Schools combined.

“Hamtramck Heritage Collection.” Hamtramck Historical Scans - 20060922-0085, hamtramck.lib.mi.us/hhc/large-84.html.

1796- Colonel Jean François Hamtramck took possession of Detroit, securing settlement for the U.S

lyoakum1 — 2025-04-05 15:13:00 UTC

Col. Hamtramck, who had fought alongside the Americans in the Revolutionary War, was the leader who received surrender of Fort Lernoult on July 11, 1796. This provided land for the city we know as Hamtramck today.

“Archive Record.” 1929.068.001 - Map | Detroit Historical Society, detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/Archive/D1879E56-73B7-4064-90D3-217159525751.

“Fort Lernoult Marker.” Untitled Document, detroit1701.org/FortLernoult.html

1930- Hamtramck Stadium Built

lyoakum1 — 2025-04-09 13:51:23 UTC

In the 1930s, Hamtramck Stadium was home to the Detroit Stars and the Detroit Wolves, respectively, of the Major Negro Leagues. This placed inspiration in the African-American Community and attracted both black and white fans

“Hamtramck Heritage Collection.” Hamtramck Historical Scans, hamtramck.lib.mi.us/hhc/large-134.html

“Hamtramck Stadium (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/places/hamtramck-stadium.htm.

1945 - Homes in Hamtramck

nbirecki — 2025-04-09 15:33:47 UTC

About 80% of homes in Hamtramck were built between 1915 and 1930, and had outhouses or toilets in their barn. It wasn't until 1945 that all the toilets had been moved indoors. (Hamtramck: Soul of a City by Greg Kowalski)

1917 - Liberty State Bank

avanlue1 — 2025-04-09 15:39:19 UTC

Joseph Chronowski, formerly a brewist until Prohibition, invented the first drive-thru bank in Michigan. It became one of the only banks to survive the Great Depression. (Hamtramck: Soul of a City by Greg Kowalski.)

1996 - Preserve Park Land

avanlue1 — 2025-04-13 01:49:34 UTC

An Ordinance was passed in 1996 that aimed to preserve park land in Hamtramck (https://hamtramckcity.gov/community/city-history/.)

2020 - Population Growth

avanlue1 — 2025-04-13 01:53:51 UTC

Hamtramck recorded the second-largest population growth in Michigan over the past decade (https://hamtramckcity.gov/community/city-history/.)

1918–1919: Spanish Influenza Pandemic Hits Hamtramck

mdeskovi — 2025-04-17 01:23:55 UTC

Like cities worldwide, Hamtramck was battered by the 1918–19 “Spanish Flu.” Schools and factories briefly closed, public gatherings were banned, and local Polish‑language newspapers ran daily casualty lists

1965: Immigration and Nationality Act Signed into Law

mdeskovi — 2025-04-17 01:25:34 UTC

By abolishing the racist national‑origins quotas of the 1920s, this landmark federal law opened America to immigrants from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

1975: Hamtramck Stadium Added to the National Register

mdeskovi — 2025-04-17 01:27:44 UTC

Built in 1930 for Negro League games, Hamtramck Stadium gained official historic‑landmark status on June 7, 1975. The National Register listing helped preserve this unique ballpark and highlighted the city’s role in African‑American migration and leisure culture.

1981: Poletown Neighborhood Demolition for GM Plant

mdeskovi — 2025-04-17 01:30:24 UTC

In mid‑1981, General Motors tore down over 1,300 homes in the Poletown area—despite fierce resistance—to build its new Cadillac assembly plant.

2002: Bosnian Refugee Resettlement in Hamtramck

mdeskovi — 2025-04-17 01:32:10 UTC

After fleeing war in the Balkans, hundreds of Bosnian families arrived in Hamtramck by spring 2002. This photo of newcomers at the Islamic Center of America captures how global conflicts can reshape local neighborhoods and spur new cultural landscapes.