at Willow Run Airport Bellville, MI

circa 1934

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This is a picture of the Ford School which is adjacent to Willow Run Airport as it appeared in 1942.

Picture after holes have been broken in the foundation and steel beams are in the process of being installed.

Installing one of twenty-one support beams used to lift the building.

The building is now lifted four feet, the foundation is demolished and we have graded in preparation for transport dollies.

The transport dollies are installed and the building is ready to roll away from the foundation area and towards the street.

This is a good view of the transport dollies.  The building is supported by sixty-four pneumatic tires, sixteen axles and eight hydraulic cylinders.  The building is floating on a cushion of oil, perfectly balanced for its' nearly two mile journey.

At 7:00 A.M. Sunday April 22, 2007 The Ford School taxied its' way toward runway 27.

Traveling at 1 mile per hour, lift-off was not likely.

Passing within mere feet of millions of dollars worth of airplanes, safe transit was our goal.

Just a few hours after it began, our passage across Willow Run Airport was complete.  Our vintage 1938 school became the first building ever to be granted runway clearance.

Approaching its' final destination.  Crossing the haul road took additional traction material.

We are now positioned over the new foundation awaiting new foundation walls.  Appropriately, the Ford School sits cropped by willow trees adjacent to Willow Run Airport.  With its' new lease on life, the school will soon be ready for its next seventy years of service.