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A look at the history behind Michigan’s Giant Uniroyal Tire on I-94

Local 4′s Rod Meloni shares memory of riding old Ferris wheel

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DETROIT – If you’ve driven through Southeast Michigan any time in the last 50 years, you’ve surely noticed a giant sized tire sitting on I-94.

The Uniroyal Tire has been a staple of Metro Detroit, sitting on Interstate 94 in Allen Park, since 1966.

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The Giant Tire was created as a Ferris wheel for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. When the fair ended in 1965, the tire was sent to Detroit where it was reassembled as a static display outside a Uniroyal office.

The sales office eventually closed, but the tire remained.

Alex Atwell featured the tire on Live in the D’ Uniquely Detroit, which features Local 4’s Rod Meloni sharing his experience actually riding the Ferris wheel.

(This story originally aired in 2018)

Watch the story below:


About the Authors
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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