Dearborn in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
In Honor of Friendship
Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 1, 2010
1. In Honor of Friendship Marker
In 1916, the famed naturalist and writer John Burroughs, along with Henry Ford, laid the cornerstone of the Jens Jensen-designed grotto (an artificial recess or structure made to resemble a natural cave). Rocks were brought from the upstate New York farm where Mr. Burroughs was born. The birdbath was originally steam-heated via an underground steam pipe from the powerhouse, which complemented Mr. Ford's interest in birds. The grotto was named in honor of John Burroughs and once contained a bronze statue of the naturalist next to his signature in the upper grotto. The statue, designed by C. S. Pietro, is now located at The Henry Ford.
June 6, 1916
Mr. Ford has asked me to write something to be placed in the cornerstone of his new bird fountain, which cornerstone is to be laid by that lover of nature, John Burroughs.
I am greatly pleased to do so, because, while mankind appears to have been gradually drifting into an artificial life of merciless commercialism there are still a few who have not been caught in the meshes of this frenzy and who are still human; and enjoy the wonderful panorama of the mountain, the valley, and the plain with their wonderful content of living things and among those versions I am proud to know my two friends, John Burroughs and Henry Ford.
ThomasA. Edison
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Erected by Henry Ford Estate and and MotorCities National Heritage Area.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Jens Jensen, and the MotorCities National Heritage Area series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1916.
Location. 42° 18.804′ N, 83° 13.934′ W. Marker is in Dearborn, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker can be reached from Fair Lane Drive, 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road. Marker is on the grounds of the Henry Ford Estate, Fair Lane, next to the Rouge River — between the powerhouse and the main house. 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. Restoring Fair Lane Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Restoring Fair Lane Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); What Happened to the Lilacs? (within shouting distance of this marker); Harnessing Nature's Energy (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate (within shouting distance of this marker); Restoring Fair Lane Infrastructure (about 300 feet away, measured
Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 1, 2010
2. In Honor of Friendship Marker and Grotto
Also see . . . John Burroughs and Henry Ford at Fair Lane (1916). YouTube video showing John Burroughs helping lay the cornerstone of the Burroghs Grotto. (Submitted on March 4, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, March 3, 2020
3. In Honor of Friendship Marker
View from the west with the powerhouse in the background.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 1, 2010
4. In Honor of Friendship Marker
John Burroughs signature in the upper grotto.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 4, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
