Auto industry / Business & brands
Charles T. Fisher
1880–1963 · co-founder of Fisher Body, industrialist and banker
With his older brother Fred he founded Fisher Body in Detroit in 1908; the seven Fisher brothers built the car bodies of GM and the Fisher Building.
- Born
Norwalk, Ohio- Died
Detroit, Michigan
aged 83- Birth name
- Charles Thomas Fisher
- Also known as
- Fisher brothers
- Detroit years
- 1905–1963
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Charles was the second of seven sons of an Ohio carriage maker. He and his older brother Fred moved to Detroit in the early 1900s, where an uncle ran the Standard Wagon Works, and in July 1908 they founded the Fisher Body Company, soon bringing in their five younger brothers. As automakers shifted from open cars to closed ones, Fisher Body became the country's largest body maker, and 'Body by Fisher' plates appeared on millions of GM cars. General Motors bought 60 percent of the company in 1919 and the rest in 1926, making the brothers rich GM executives; Charles became a GM vice president. With their fortune they built the Art Deco Fisher Building in the New Center, designed by Albert Kahn and opened in 1928. Charles later became president of the National Bank of Detroit and served on the federal Reconstruction Finance Corporation. He died in Detroit in 1963.
Highlights
- Co-founded Fisher Body with Fred Fisher on July 22, 1908
- GM bought 60% of Fisher Body in 1919 and the rest in 1926
- The brothers built the Fisher Building, opened in 1928
- President of the National Bank of Detroit
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Founded · 1928–1963
Fisher Building
The brothers' Art Deco tower by Albert Kahn, with the Fisher Theatre inside; a National Historic Landmark across from Cadillac Place.
Founded · 1919–1920s
Fisher Body Plant 21
Closed · 1919–1984
A Fisher Body plant near the Ford Piquette plant, long abandoned after closing; later taken up for redevelopment.