The Ghosts of the Ford Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan

 

Ford Assembly Plant - Photo from Dwight Burdette

Growing up, I probably spent almost as much time in Flat Rock, Michigan as I did at home in Ohio. Though I still have family who live there today and know about my passion for all things haunted, not a single one ever brought up the city's haunted Ford Assembly Plant.

Ford spent quite a lot of money on the Michigan Casting Center (MCC), which opened in 1972 and quickly became one of the city's top employers. A little over seven years after the factory opened, Robert Williams was working with a five-story robot, which was capable of moving cars and retrieving parts. Williams was crushed during an accident while trying to get a part the robot missed, becoming the first person in history killed by a robot.

Just two years later, the factory shut down as demand for big block engines dropped. It reopened in 1992 as Auto Alliance International when Ford acquired half of the building. The Mercury Cougar, Mazda 6, and Ford Mustang were just some of the cars produced here. When Mazda moved overseas, Ford took over ownership of the factory. Despite a brief closure due to the chip shortage during COVID-19, the factory continued operating in Flat Rock.

Known as both the Ford Assembly Plant and the Ford Motors Flat Rock Assembly Plant, it is plagued by ghost stories. The most common story is that Ford knew the location was on top of a Native American burial ground and pushed forward with its plans. Even when they uncovered bodies during the factory's construction, the company kept moving.

In addition to its use for burials, many believe the factory was a sacred site for a local tribe. They say that much of the activity takes place in the basement. Workers hear odd noises and see strange lights that streak across the room right in front of them. A former security guard claims he took photos that showed ghostly orbs.

It's worth noting that there's no evidence the site was used by Native Americans. In fact, I've seen some claim the stories originated from a worker who said he was there when construction started in the 1950s and saw the bones firsthand. Construction did not begin until nearly two decades later.

Another story concerns a security guard working the late shift during the 1990s. Unknown to him, a homeless man hid in the shadows. Though the man just wanted a warm and safe place to sleep, he was always on edge and worried about someone catching him. When the guard came across him one night, the man stabbed him to death.

There are also stories from workers who felt or even saw someone standing nearby. When they turned to see who was there, they never found anyone. Some believe this is the ghost of a former line worker who just wants to keep others safe.

The haunted Ford Assembly Plant is at 1 International Drive in Flat Rock, Michigan.