White Lake in Milford in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Edsel Ford's Leadership
and His "Nerve Retreat" at Haven Hill
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
1. Edsel Ford's Leadership Marker
He was a man of vision and achievement,
and he called Haven Hill his "nerve retreat," his restful refuge. The only child of Henry and Clara Ford, Edsel Ford was born in 1893 and became the youngest president of Ford Motor Company in 1919. Despite difficulties with his father, he successfully led plant expansions and the operation of the Willow Run Bomber Plant during World War II. His sense for art and design was expressed in his major support for the Detroit Institute of Arts and in his design leadership for the Model A and Lincoln Continental automobiles.
You Auto Know
Edsel Ford's Lincoln Continental was hailed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright as "the most beautiful car in the world."
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Frank Lloyd Wright, and the MotorCities National Heritage Area series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 42° 38.454′ N, 83° 33.788′ W. Marker is in Milford, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is in White Lake. It is on Haven Road
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Haven Hill Lodge (a few steps from this marker); The Haven Hill Getaway (a few steps from this marker); Haven Hill Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); Haven Hill Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away); Haven Hill (approx. half a mile away); Many Friends, Many Flags (approx. 0.6 miles away); Haven Hill Barn (approx. Ύ mile away); Haven Hill Gatehouse (approx. 1.1 miles away).
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
2. Upper left image
The Ford family, about 1930, from left to right: Benson, William Clay, Edsel, Josephine, Eleanor, Henry Ford II. Photo courtesy of Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
3. Middle left image
Henry Ford and Edsel Ford, about 1940. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
4. Lower left image
The Lodge at Haven Hill estate. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
5. Center image
Edsel Ford, 1930s. Photography was one of Edsel's special interests. Photo courtesy of Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
6. Right images
Above, Edsel B. Ford, Diego M. Rivera, 1932, oil on canvas, mounted on masonite. Diego Rivera honored Edsel Ford in this painting, including drafting tools as symbols of Edsel's creative talents. Right, Detroit Industry, north wall, Diego Rivera 1932-33, fresco. Edsel Ford funded Rivera's murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Ford shielded them from the controversy they created. Images courtesy of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
7. Edsel Ford's Leadership Marker
Edsel Ford's Leadership and His "Nerve Retreat" at Haven Hill marker is up the steps in back; Haven Hill Lodge: Finding a Retreat in the Countryside marker is the near marker.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
8. Edsel Ford's Leadership Marker
Edsel Ford's Leadership and His "Nerve Retreat" at Haven Hill marker is in back; The Haven Hill Getaway: Celebrities Come to Visit Marker is the closer marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 780 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 24, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
