For the past century, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital has been an integral part of the healthcare system for Downriver residents.

Wyandotte General Hospital opened its doors on February 23, 1926. The facility was donated to the city by Edward Ford, the son of J.B. Ford, founder of the Michigan Alkali Company, and was dedicated on June 25, 1926.

As the community grew, so did the hospital. In 1929, a major expansion added a new two-story building, a nurses’ residence and the family stone sign at the front of the hospital representing the Wyandotte Native Americans.

Growth continued over the years, and in 1957 another expansion added three additional floors to the building, increasing the hospital’s capacity to 225 beds.

In 1964, a four-story addition was added, named for Dr. William H. Honor, who helped found the hospital’s surgery program.

Construction crews broke ground for a new eight-story bed tower, The Calahan Building, in 1969. The new addition opened in 1972, connecting the original building, which became the administration building, to the new rehabilitation center, bringing the total number of beds to 360.

The hospital entered a new chapter in the late 1980s, when the city signed a lease agreement with Henry Ford Health System, renaming the hospital Wyandotte Hospital and Medical Center.

Not long after, Henry Ford Health System purchased the hospital from the city for $18.5 million and its name changed to Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

The facility continued making modern improvements in the 1990s, and in 1996 a $40 million expansion added a new birthing center, ambulance and emergency center, surgical suites and main lobby which still stands today, meeting the healthcare needs of the Downriver community and beyond.

Now, 100 years after opening its doors, the hospital is inviting the community to celebrate this milestone with them.

On June 25, 2026, the hospital will be hosting an all-day open house, with a special dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital campus, 2333 Biddle Avenue.

Guests will enjoy centennial cake and refreshments, historical displays highlighting the hospital’s past and the unveiling of a new hospital timeline showcasing 100 years of caring for the community.

“Our history is deeply connected to this community – we would not be here without the trust and support of the people we serve, and we are grateful to every patient and family who have entrusted us with their care and the care of their loved ones,” said Rand O’Leary, president of Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital. “I also want to thank our incredible team members and physicians who give their all every day to care for our patients. From the emergency room, to food services, pharmacy, nursing, laboratory, our physicians, and so many others across our hospital, it takes an entire team working together to deliver the compassionate care our community deserves.”

City leaders will join the celebration, and Wyandotte Mayor Robert DeSana and the Wyandotte City Council have named the hospital and its team members as grand marshals of this year’s Fourth of July parade, recognizing the hospital’s service to the city.

“For 100 years, Wyandotte Henry Ford Hospital has cared for our residents and families, and its history is closely connected to the story of our community,” Mayor DeSana said. “Generations of people in Wyandotte and across the Downriver area have relied on the hospital during some of life’s most important moments.

“In addition to providing quality care close to home, the hospital has also provided countless jobs and supported the local economy, making a lasting difference in the lives of families throughout our community. On behalf of the City of Wyandotte, I want to congratulate Wyandotte Henry Ford Hospital on this incredible milestone, and thank them for a
century of service to our community.”