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

Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate

Photographed by Joel S., September 1, 2015

1. Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate Marker

Inscription. A Home for the Ages William Van Tine was the architect of record for the design and construction of Clara and Henry Ford's 15th and final residence, Fair Lane. Earlier designs were completed by Von Holst and Fyfe of Chicago, IL and their representative, Marion Mahoney, who laid the foundation of the Main Residence. The home is 31,770 square feet, not including the Powerhouse, and has 56 rooms. Although originally 1,242 acres, the estate today retains 17 acres of gardens and grounds designed by landscape architect, Jen Jensen.

When completed in 1916, the home featured modern amenities and some of the greatest technological advancements of its time. Structurally, the home was built to last generations. Even so, years of use and the forces of nature have taken their toll.

The Power of Water Although water played an important role in the original siting of the estate, it has become the estate's worst enemy. Many of the current issues that must be addressed to preserve the buildings and their interiors for future generations have been caused by water infiltration. Original water drainage lines have been inspected for

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

integrity, cleaned and when necessary replaced to ensure proper performance.

The roof of the Main Residence was replaced in the 1990s but the integrity of the flatroofs were compromised. A challenge facing the project was the lack of historic documentation showing original tiling. Through historic photographs and consultation with historic tiling experts, a new roofing system with monitoring equipment is being installed.

Restoration in Action In 2014 Quinn Evans Architects, SmithGroupJJR and Henry Ford Estate staff conducted research and developed plans to restore aspects of the Main Residence that would improve the visitor experience and provide protection from water damage. Major components include:

Installation of new underground storm water lines
Replacement of missing or damaged copper gutters and downspouts
Reconstruction of three tile flat roofs and Kitchen Service Courtyard
Reconstruction of failed stone walls at the Music Room Terrace and various window wells
Reconstruction of metal safety railing at multiple locations

Work started in early 2015 and is scheduled to be concluded by the end of 2015.

Erected by Henry

Photographed by Joel S., September 1, 2015

2. Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate Marker

Ford Estate.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Jens Jensen series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 42° 18.853′ N, 83° 13.944′ W. Marker is in Dearborn, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is on Fair Lane Drive 0.3 miles west of Evergreen Road, on the left when traveling north. 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: From Farmland to Great Estate (a few steps from this marker); Fair Lane (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate

Photographed by Joel S., September 1, 2015

3. Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); On the River (within shouting distance of this marker); Out in the Orchard (within shouting distance of this marker); A Trail Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); From State Fair to Fair Lane/Peony Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Restoring Fair Lane Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dearborn.

Photographed by Joel S., September 1, 2015

4. Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate Marker

Photographed by Joel S., September 1, 2015

5. Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate Marker

Closeup of pictures at lower right.

Photographed by Joel S., September 1, 2015

6. Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 518 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 25, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.