Continental Motors (Detroit, Michigan)

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Established in 1905, the Muskegon based engine manufacturer constructed a two story, Albert Kahn factory in 1911 in order to be closer to its automotive customers, including next door neighbor, Hudson Motors. The plant produced 18,000 to 22,000 engines a year.

With the onset of the Depression and the diminishing number of independent automakers, the factory struggled until 1939 when it was converted to manufacture tank engines. After WWII, it was leased by Kaiser-Fraser which employed 1,200 workers who made 12,000 engines a month. Kaiser Fraser purchased the plant in 1951, but closed it in 1955 when engine production was moved to Toledo.

Most of the buildings were demolished in 1961, with the exception of the foundry, test cells and power plant. In 1967 a new postal facility and Michigan Department of Social Services building were constructed on the southern portion of the site. In 1979, an unrelated recycling firm called Continental Aluminum occupied the former foundry building. It moved in 1998 and the foundry was demolished ten years later. Only the test cells and part of the power plant remain.

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