“The Proper People” Explore Ford’s Lost Power Plant So You Don’t Have To
I write this article with a modicum of concern, as sneaking into an abandoned building on private property is illegal and morally questionable. Urban exploration has turned into a bit of a phenomenon with the advent of social media, but the YouTube channel known as The Proper People threads the needle better than most. Respect is paramount, as to me, this genre of journalism gets more upsetting when it involves Detroit.
As a former Motor City resident, I don’t necessarily appreciate everyone documenting the downfall of this former powerhouse. (I’m sure I’m not the only person who feels that way.) We wrote a great piece about this issue, and the rebirth of Michigan Central Station gives us all hope. But there’s still despair, and some buildings will not live to tell their story.
Enter The Proper People and their tour of Ford’s lost power plant at the River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan. Like archaeologists at a historical dig, they take us through the Rouge’s former power plant with brilliant videography, insightful narration, and clever editing that sews vintage media into the tapestry of their story.
The facility endured an explosion back in 1999, with injuries and deaths in what was described as a “scene from hell.” There’s an argument to be made that Ford brought this upon themselves with cost cutting, but perhaps 25 years of time passing on this tragedy makes that discussion irrelevant.
I feel a tremendous amount of respect while watching The Proper People explore any building, but the Ford Rouge power plant takes the reverence to the next level. Consider how many jobs were created, as this building powered an entire company. And ponder how many millions (billions?) of vehicles were born from this building and the decrepit equipment resting within.
The sheer volume of money made from this power plant likely added to our country’s gross domestic product in meaningful ways for decades, so it’s far from an abandoned mall or any other structure you’d commonly find in the Ruins Photography genre of photojournalism.
All buildings have stories to tell, and perhaps someone should document it for all to see. The imagery present in The Proper People’s video of the Rouge power plant tells that story, and we are richer for seeing it.
