In the early 19th century, the Detroit Arsenal was located in the city ofDetroit. The arsenal's main purpose was to serve as a supply depot for the United States army; storing, maintaining, and repairing arms and ammunition. However, by the 1830s, the population of the city had grown such that there was fear of the stored explosives endangering the city's population. The US Congress authorized the construction of a new arsenal west of Detroit in the village of Dearbornville.
Construction
In July 1832, a site for the new Arsenal was selected located near the Rouge River on the strategically important "Chicago Road" that linked Detroit to Chicago. Approximately was set aside for a "military reservation." In July 1833, work was begun on eleven buildings comprising what was at the time called the "Detroit Arsenal at Dearbornville", The construction of the brick arsenal lasted from 1833 to 1837. The first commandant of the arsenal, Colonel Joshua Howard, proposed naming the surrounding area after Major General Henry Dearborn, a New Hampshire physician and hero of the war of Independence. The eleven buildings of the Arsenal were spaced around a walled square, on a side; the ten-foot-high masonry wall was thirty inches thick and completely enclosed the square. These eleven buildings were the following:
Armory, which was the largest of the buildings and used as both a storehouse and social center.
Sutler's Shop, where tobacco and personal articles were sold to the soldiers.
Guard House
Enlisted Men's Barracks
Surgeon's Quarters
Carpenter Shop, which around 1865 was converted into a chapel.
Smith's Shop
Saddler's Shop, where equipment for horses was made and repaired.
Gun Carriage Shed
Arsenal Office
Commandant's Quarters
The powder magazine was located outside the walled square, approximately 300 yards to the east.
After 1877
The arsenal was eventually judged to be no longer useful, and in 1877 the US government auctioned off the buildings. The only building remaining of the original eleven that is still in its original location and form is the commandant's quarters. After 1877, the armory was adapted as a civic center named the "Liberty Hall," hosting events such as dancing, lodge meetings, and roller skating. In 1899, the armory was converted into a woolen mill; in 1910 the mill was destroyed in a fire. The bricks from the building were used to build new houses, some of which still stand in the area. The guard house, enlisted men's barracks, and the surgeon's quarters were used as residences. In 1893, all three were demolished to build a school. The sutler's shop was remodeled and used for, among other things, a doctor's office. The carpenter shop and the smith's shop were combined into one two-story, three-unit building. The structure was used as a lumber mill and later by the Detroit-Dearborn Motor Car Company and by a paint shop. The saddler's shop was used as a residence, and in the 1920s was converted into the Dearborn Town Hall. It was used for meetings until 1928. It was sold to S. S. Kresge and removed from the property. The structure was destroyed in 1946. The gun carriage shed was converted into a two-story structure in 1906 for use by the Masonic Temple. It was later used by Pride Cleaners; it is currently home to a European Bakery. The arsenal office was used as a residence, and later as a commercial store. It was demolished in the early 20th century. The powder magazine was converted into a private residence in 1883 by Nathaniel Ross. The structure was donated to the city of Dearborn in 1950. Currently located at 915 Brady Street, it was renamed the McFadden-Ross House after it was donated to the City to be used as a museum. The last remaining structure of the original eleven, the commandant's quarters, served as a social and cultural center in Dearborn until 1875. The building was later used as a library, American Legion hall, a town hall, police station, school, and a newspaper office. In 1949, the commandant's quarters were purchased by the Dearborn Historical Commission for use as a museum. The building was restored in 1959, and in 1970 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As of 2010 it houses the Dearborn Historical Museum.
Description of the Commandant's Quarters
The Commandant's Quarters is a square, red-brick building on a brick foundation. The hipped roof is covered with slate, and has gabled dormers and a balustrade. A two-story verandah with square columns extends around the front and side of the building. The wrought iron railing near the front entrance is handmade. Much of the interior of the Commandant's Quarters has been restored to resemble the original makeup of the building. The wall and sliding doors between the Commandant's office and dining room on the first floor has been replaced, and the second floor partitions, removed in the 1930s, have also been re-installed.
