Fair Lane: Visit Henry Ford’s Stunning Estate at the UM Dearborn Campus

The legacy of Henry Ford is on full display in Dearborn, where you can find the headquarters of the Ford Motor Company, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, and Henry Ford College. Ford was born in 1863 in what is now Dearborn, and after the success of the Ford Motor Company made him one of the wealthiest people in the world he had the stunning Fair Lane estate built for him and his family. This beautiful home and property have been preserved and the public is able to visit and stroll the grounds. While in Detroit last fall we stopped by the UM Dearborn campus to check out the estate and learn a little bit more about Henry Ford.

When we visited, Fair Lane Drive was closed for construction so we had to drive through part of campus to get to the lot across from the home. Ongoing restoration projects have the home, powerhouse, and garage closed to the public at this time but the gardens and grounds are open. A limited availability ticketed event in May will allow visitors to get a peek behind the curtain on a Restoration Showcase tour.

A Michigan historical marker in front of the home gives some background history: “Here Henry and Clara Bryant Ford lived from 1915 until their deaths in 1947 and 1950. The eminent American auto magnate and inventor named Fair Lane after the road on which his father, William Ford, was born in County Cork, Ireland. The fifty-six room mansion made of marblehead limestone and concrete was completed in 1915. Inventor Thomas A. Edison, a frequent guest here, laid the cornerstone in 1914 for the powerhouse which supplied power for the entire estate. Ford’s popularization of the automobile propelled America into an era of accelerated urbanization and industrialization. Yet the home of this man of controversy and varied interests reflects a love of nature and the countryside. Donated by the Ford Motor Company in 1957 to The University of Michigan for a Dearborn campus. Fair Lane’s secluded acres shelter a national bird sanctuary and nature trails.”

The house is a sight to behold, and it has 56 rooms. The west side of the home overlooks the Rouge River and you can get a different view of the estate from the Waterfall Loop Trail on the other side of the river.

A short trail near the north end of the house leads to the rock garden designed by Jens Jensen for Mrs. Ford.

There are a handful of informational signs on the property, like this one that shows the property’s layour in 1941 and details how this former farmland became a grand estate.

South of the house is a gated garden area that features statues of Henry and Clara Ford. This looked like it would be absolutely stunning in spring and summer when it is full of colorful flowers.

Looking at the west side of the home overlooking the river, you can get an idea what a peaceful and relaxing spot this had to be. There are more gardens, a lawn that leads right up to the river edge, and many, many windows that offer an amazing view.

Other buildings on the property include this miniature farmhouse that was constructed for the Michigan State Fair in the 1920s then moved here, where it became a place for the Ford grandchildren to play.

We even got to see this beautiful hawk in one of the trees right by the parking area!

The construction kept us from getting much of a look at the powerhouse, greenhouse, or riverfront but we really enjoyed what we did get to see of Fair Lane during our visit. If you’re in the Dearborn area this a great stop with some beautiful trails and history!