Stories from the Sidewalk: A Walk through 137 Years that Shaped Dearborn

Walk the sidewalks of Dearborn’s Arsenal and Riverbend and discover the stories that every historic house and building has to tell. All told, Stories From the Sidewalk details the stories of over 360 historic houses and buildings in Dearborn’s Arsenal and Riverbend neighborhoods. Each story features a full-color photograph of the house or building along with details on its history and architecture.

“This is a landmark book,“ says Jack Tate, chief curator of the Dearborn Historical Museum, “and the most comprehensive survey of historic houses and buildings in Dearborn. As a historian I believe the book is certain to inspire homeowners and history buffs to discover the stories of their houses and neighborhoods and preserve them for future generations.”

The rich history of the two neighborhoods is told through the lives of the homeowners who frequented its local businesses and attended its schools and churches. Organized by neighborhood and street, the book is designed to lead readers on a “walking tour” of the community. Walk down any one street and you might meet a farmer who sold his land to Henry Ford that became part of the Ford Rouge Complex. On the next block you’ll meet Henry’s boyhood friend, a scientist who researched the uses of soybeans. On the next, an executive of the Stout Air Services founded by aeronautical pioneer William B. Stout. Overall, the book documents the residences of numerous family members and friends of the Ford family as well as first- and second-generation Ford Motor Company executives, civic and local business leaders, farmers, and more.