White Lake Township in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Haven Hill Lodge

Finding a Retreat in the Countryside

By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016

1. Haven Hill Lodge: Finding a Retreat in the Countryside Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

It was an expression of new wealth and mobility
created by the early automobile industry. Twenty years after his father founded Ford Motor Company in 1903, Edsel Ford began buying the hilly property that became his family's rural retreat at Haven Hill. At the 6,900 square foot hilltop Lodge, the Fords and their guests enjoyed a swimming pool, tennis courts, motorized toboggan run, and spectacular views of the rolling scenery all around. In the early 1900s, automobiles made isolated rural settings like this more accessible to the wealthy and to people escaping the city for day-trips in the countryside.

You Auto Know
Robert O. Derrick, the architect of the Lodge, also designed Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn and rustic buildings for Michigan State Parks in the 1930s.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

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

Location.

Upper left image image. Click for full size.

By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016

2. Upper left image

At the highest elevation in Oakland County, the Lodge provided spectacular views in all directions. It was given a rustic look by use of rough timber and stone. Legendary landscape architect Jens Jensen designed the Lodge grounds in the "prairie style". Jensen also designed landscape at Henry Ford's Fair Lane estate and at Edsel Ford's estate in Grosse Pointe Shores. Photo courtesy of Earl Wolf, Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

42° 38.455′ N, 83° 33.78′ W. Marker is in White Lake Township, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker is on Haven Road 1.2 miles south of Highland Road (Michigan Highway 59). Marker is in Highland State Recreation Area, approx. 0.6 miles from the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5200 Highland Road, White Lake MI 48383, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Edsel Ford's Leadership (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 Gatehouse (approx. 1.1 miles away); Genevieve Gillette (approx. 1.1 miles away); Pettibone Creek Mills (approx. 2.4 miles away); White Lake Township Hall (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Lake Township.

Lower left image image. Click for full size.

By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016

3. Lower left image

In 1999, the emptry Lodge burned to the ground. Remaining traces of the Lodge include this fireplace and chimney and many foundations of rooms and terraces. After Eleanor Ford sold Haven Hill to the state of Michigan in 1946, the Lodge became a state park conference center and environmental learning center until it was closed in 1980.

Lower left center image image. Click for full size.

By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016

4. Lower left center image

The inviting and rustic interior of the Lodge included stone fireplaces and plank flooring. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Lower center image image. Click for full size.

By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016

5. Lower center image

Recreational sites near the Lodge included this swimming pool, tennis courts, a tow-return toboggan run, and horse stables. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Lower right center image image. Click for full size.

By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016

6. Lower right center image

Henry Ford II and Benson Ford, late 1920s. The Haven Hill estate offered many natural adventures to the Ford children. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Lower right image image. Click for full size.

By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016

7. Lower right image

William Clay Ford and Josephine Ford at the Lodge, about 1940. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016

8. Haven Hill Lodge: Finding a Retreat in the Countryside Marker

Ruins of the Lodge can be seen in the middle of the picture. The Edsel Ford's Leadership marker can be seen up the steps to the left of the path.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 24, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.