30-plus photos from Kenosha's Chrysler days
Chrysler's last car in Kenosha
Plant workers stand with the last car produced in Kenosha, a Dodge Omni, which rolled off the line on Dec. 21, 1988.
Aerial photo of the Chrysler Engine Plant
This aerial photo from 2013 shows the cleared Chrysler Engine Plant site.
Aerial shot of the lakefront AMC plant
The former American Motors (later Chrysler) Lakefront Assembly Plant in Kenosha . More than 10,000 people worked in the plant at one time. It was shuttered in 1988. The land is now home to HarborPark condominiums, museums, a streetcar line and greenspace.
CHRYSLER engine line
A worker on the line is shown at the Kenosha Engine Plant in 2003.
CHRYSLER Kenosha Engine Plant
On the line in 2002 at the Kenosha Engine Plant.
Greenlee block
William Hagen signs the last Jeep 4.0 XJ engine produced on the Greenlee block line on June 15, 2001.
Daimler Chrysler executives
A group photo of Daimler Chrysler Corporation's executives pose with Daimler Chrysler Corporation Kenosha Engine Plant Manager Robert Hollingsworth, et al.
CHRYSLER Engine plant
Working on the second newest line in 2002. Nancy Land and Coleen Koderca are shown at left.
Chrysler engine plant
A worker on the line in 2003.
The final product: 4.0 liter engines
The final product: 4.0 liter engines are stacked awaiting shipment in 2002.
CHRYSLER - ARCHIVE-grim-reaper
The Grim Reaper (aka Steve Kulbiski) keeps vigil outside Chrysler’s main assembly plant on the final day of production in Kenosha, Dec. 21, 1988.
CHRYSLER - ARCHIVE
A terse response to Chrysler's assembly closure announcement greets passersby outside the Main Plant at Freddie's East tavern January 28, 1988.
American Motors radio show
A twice-a-day radio show used to originate from the American Motors Corp. plant in Kenosha, hosted by Jim Bradley.
Demolition of the Chrysler plant
People watch as crews tear down the lakefront assembly plant in 1989.
Lee Iacocca CHRYSLER - ARCHIVE
Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca announces the set up of a Chrysler trust fund to aid Kenosha during a press conference in Milwaukee on Feb. 17, 1988.
WATCH NOW: Mayor John Antaramian discusses Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood planned for former Chrysler site
Historic lakefront plant aerial
An aerial view of the lakefront assembly plant.
Lakefront plant from the harbor
This is a view of the shuttered Lakefront Plant, taken from across the harbor channel in 1989. Today, that area is home to the HarborPark development, including housing, museums and open green space.
Last Alliance
This photo shows the last Alliance manufactured in Kenosha.
Last M body on the line
This photo shows the last M body made in Kenosha.
AMC Marlin at plant
Steven Wojciechowicz took this photo of his 1965 AMC Marlin at the old AMC Lakefront Plant. Kenosha has evolved from its automaking days to boast a more diverse economy.
Plant demolition 1989
Crews tear down the lakefront plant in this photo from 1989.
Ron Howard visits the Chrysler plant
Movie director Ron Howard, right, stands with Jim Janis in 1984. Howard scouted the plant for his movie "Gung Ho," about an American automaking plant taken over by the Japanese. However, another plant was eventually chosen for filming.
Last car off the line
Ernesto Olivares works on a car on Dec. 20, 1988. While the last car came off the line on Dec. 21, some production ceased in the preceding days.
Last car off the line
Ernesto Olivares stands with the last car he worked on in this photo from Dec. 20, 1988. While the last car came off the line on Dec. 21, some production ceased in the preceding days.
last car off the line
Ernesto Olivares works on a car on Dec. 20, 1988. While the last car came off the line on Dec. 21, some production ceased in the preceding days.
Wojciechowicz brothers
The Wojciechowicz family was one of many that had multiple members working in auto assembly in Kenosha. Pictured are brothers John Wojciechowicz (in the cap), Ted Wojciechowicz (with glasses) and Dan Wojciechowicz. They worked in the Inspection Department at American Motors Corp. This photos is from the early 1980s. The brothers had a combined nearly 120 years at AMC/Renault/Chrysler when they retired.
Kreuser with the last car
Larry Kreuser stands with the last car to come off the Kenosha assembly line on Dec. 21, 1988, a Dodge Omni.
Last day on the line
Cars head down the Chrysler assembly line on the last day of auto production in Kenosha, Dec. 21, 1988.
Barb Funk with the last Chrysler Fifth Avenue made in Kenosha
Barb Funk leans on the last Chrysler Fifth Avenue produced in Kenosha.
Before and after at the Chrysler plant
Before and after photos by Larry Kreuser.
Before and after: 52nd St bridge
Larry Kreuser, who worked for 30 years at AMC/Chrysler, shot these before-and-after photos of the iconic bridge across 52nd Street.
