White Lake Township in White Lake charter Township in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Haven Hill Barn
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 17, 2022
1. Haven Hill Barn: An Agricultural Landmark Marker
The centerpiece of Edsel Ford's working farm at Haven Hill
was this barn, built in the early 1930s and partially blown down by high winds in 2008. This huge barn was an expression of the merging agriculture and industry, a tradition advocated by Edsel's father Henry Ford. At first it housed 1,500 sheep, later replaced by horses and cattle. After the State of Michigan acquired the Haven Hill property in the 1940s, the barn was used as a woodshop, warehouse, and winter warming station for skiers before being permanently closed in 1980.
"We are witnessing the beginning of THE AGRINDUSTRIAL AGE!"
Dallas Dispatch & Dallas Times-Herald
June 7, 1936
You Auto Know Enclosing 15,00 square feet of space, this was one of the largest barns east of the Mississippi River.
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 7, 1936.
Location. 42° 38.067′ N, 83° 33.062′ W. Marker is in White Lake charter Township, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is in White Lake Township.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Many Friends, Many Flags (approx. ¼ mile away); Haven Hill Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away); Haven Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Haven Hill Carriage House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Haven Hill Lodge (approx. ¾ mile away); Edsel Ford's Leadership (approx. ¾ mile away); The Haven Hill Getaway (approx. ¾ mile away); Haven Hill Gatehouse (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Lake charter Township.
Also see . . . Haven Hill: The Edsel Ford Barn. Article on the Friends of Highland Recreation Area website that mentions 2008 storm damage to the barn and efforts to refurbish and repurpose the barn. (Submitted on August 4, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photo courtesy of Walter Reuther Library, Wayne State University, July 17, 2022
2. Haven Hill Barn: An Agricultural Landmark Marker — upper left image
The barn at Haven Hill. Its scale and natural lighting, through windows and skylights, were similar to early Ford automobile manufacturing facilities.
Photo courtesy of Friends of Highland Recreation Area, July 17, 2022
3. Haven Hill Barn: An Agricultural Landmark Marker — left image
Interior spaces in the barn were divided by a hallway that led into the livestock area.
Background: anonymous; right: photo courtesy of Friends of Highland Recreation Area, July 17, 2022
4. Haven Hill Barn: An Agricultural Landmark Marker
Background: The added central height of this double-monitor-style barn gave its interior extra space, ventilation and lighting, ideal for farm animals.
Right image: By turning one of these cranks on the lower level, three groups of windows (upper, middle and lower) could be opened at the same time.
Right image: By turning one of these cranks on the lower level, three groups of windows (upper, middle and lower) could be opened at the same time.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 17, 2022
5. Haven Hill Barn: An Agricultural Landmark Marker
Only about 1/4 of the barn remains.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 4, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
