Dearborn in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Giving Nature a Hand

Photographed By Joel Seewald, May 2, 2022

1. Giving Nature a Hand Marker

This new marker, with the same text and images as the original, was placed in 2022.

Inscription. The manufacturing technology developed by Henry Ford and the auto industry affected all aspects of life in early 20th century Michigan. Among the labor-saving items pioneered in the state during that period were specialized valves for watering lawns. Mr. Ford felt watering lawns was unnatural; however, Mrs. Ford wanted well-watered green lawns.

(Left Photo Caption)
In 1926, thousands of brass sprinkler heads were installed at Fair Lane that were controlled by large automatic valves. Since plastic tubing did not exist, an extensive system of three-inch steel pipe was installed beneath the designed turf grass meadows. The Rouge River (via a pump house near the river) supplied the water for the sprinkler system.

(Right Photo Caption)
Part of the original sprinkler system is still in the ground, and the brass pop-up sprinkler heads can be found in the meadow. Today a portion of the gardens are watered with a new irrigation system consisting of underground plastic tubing and pop-up heads, drip lines, and pole-mounted sprinklers.

Erected by Fair Lane and MotorCities National Heritage Area.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included

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in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list.

Location. 42° 18.893′ N, 83° 14.012′ W. Marker is in Dearborn, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker can be reached from Fair Lane Drive, 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road. This marker is found on the grounds of the Henry Ford Estate, Fair Lane, about 200 feet northwest of the Ford residence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Fair Lane Drive, Dearborn MI 48128, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Path of the Setting Sun (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Garden Masterpiece (within shouting distance of this marker); A Trail Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); On the River (about 300 feet away); From Farmland to Great Estate (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate (about 400 feet away); From State Fair to Fair Lane/Peony Garden (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dearborn.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 5, 2015

2. Giving Nature a Hand Marker

The original marker was placed by the Henry Ford Estate and MotorCities National Heritage Area.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 5, 2015

3. Giving Nature a Hand Marker

Closeup of sprinkler head diagrams.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 5, 2015

4. Giving Nature a Hand Marker

Closeup of sprinkler map.

Giving Nature a Hand Marker and Sprinkler Parts image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, May 2, 2022

5. Giving Nature a Hand Marker and Sprinkler Parts

Photographed By Joel Seewald, May 2, 2022

6. Giving Nature a Hand Marker

View looking north from near the Residence. The Great Meadow on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 28, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 6, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 5, 6. submitted on February 28, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.