Hamilton was agog during the early part of 1918 and until mid-summer when it was rumored that Henry Ford planned to establish a plant in Hamilton for the manufacture of tractors, W. B. Mayo, former Hamilton man, then chief engineer with Ford, and Gordon S. Rentschler, were instrumental in calling Mr. Ford's attention to the possibilities of water power development here, and the manufacturer showed unusual interest.

It was not until August of 1918, however, that Mr. Ford confirmed the rumor and in a statement issued at that time, he explained his reasons for establishing the plant here for the manufacture of Ford tractors.  He bought more than 1300 acres of land on which the present plant stands and the fertile farms there abouts. With the state of the building program on the following May 6, 1919, Hamilton entered a real estate boom which continued for several years and resulted in the opening of Fordson Heights, Armondale, Highland Park and general home building.

The plant was completed in April of 1920 and production of tractor parts began the following month.
However, this part of the manufacture continued for less than six months when it was discontinued on October 9. On the following June 1921, the machinery for making parts for tractors was shipped out of Hamilton and the plant installed machinery for the manufacture of lock parts and wheels for the Model T automobiles.

During the next six years, or until 1927 a total of 12,000,000 wheels were manufactured. With the coming of the Model A, the local plant manufactured these wheels which were of the one piece all steel spoke welded wheel type. A total of 22,167,600 of these wheels were made by December 1 of this year. The present production is 14,000 wheels each day.

The Ford industry in Hamilton, has become a tremendous cog in the business life of the community. The total payroll for this year will exceed $2,300,000 or in excess of $91,700 twice a month.  The parts manufactured today include 10,000 radius rods, 5,000 locks and 6,350 lock retainers and 1,500 men are on the payroll. The plant operates three shifts in most departments. The tremendous activity of the plant can be gauged by the fact that 400,000 pounds of steel are used each day, that it covers 176,857 feet of floor space . . .

Mr. Ford was largely induced to come to Hamilton because of the possibilities of water power.  The site of the plant and the location of the two resevoirs which formerly provided much of the ice for Hamilton, made it almost ideal for the development of the hydro electric energy in which he was interested. . .

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society