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

Fair Lane

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, March 2, 2023

1. Fair Lane Marker

Inscription. Here Henry and Clara Bryant Ford lived from 1915 until their deaths in 1947 and 1950. The eminent American auto magnate and inventor named Fair Lane after the road on which his father, William Ford, was born in County Cork, Ireland. The fifty-six room mansion made of marblehead limestone and concrete was completed in 1915. Inventor Thomas A. Edison, a frequent guest here, laid the cornerstone in 1914 for the powerhouse which supplied power for the entire estate. Ford's popularization of the automobile propelled America into an era of accelerated urbanization and industrialization. Yet the home of this man of controversy and varied interests reflects a love of nature and the countryside. Donated by the Ford Motor Company in 1957 to The University of Michigan for a Dearborn campus. Fair Lane's secluded acres shelter a national bird sanctuary and nature trails.

Erected 1978 by Michigan History Division, Michigan Department of State; Dearborn Historical Society; and The University of Michigan-Dearborn. (Marker Number HB17.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 42° 18.85′ N, 83° 13.92′ W. Marker is in Dearborn, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker is on Fair Lane Drive, on the right when traveling south. On the campus of The University of Michigan-Dearborn. 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. Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate (within shouting distance of this marker); From Farmland to Great Estate (within shouting distance of this marker); Out in the Orchard (within shouting distance of this marker); What Happened to the Lilacs? (within shouting distance of this marker); From State Fair to Fair Lane/Peony Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Preserving Fair Lane — An Iconic American Estate (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fair Lane (within shouting

June 4, 2010

2. Fair Lane Marker

distance of this marker); Restoring Fair Lane Gardens (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dearborn.

Also see . . . The Fair Lane Story - the Henry Ford Estate. (Submitted on June 14, 2010.)

Fair Lane Marker and Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, June 8, 2010

3. Fair Lane Marker and Mansion

Fair Lane - Rouge River side image. Click for full size.

June 4, 2010

4. Fair Lane - Rouge River side

Fair Lane-Rear view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 6, 1994

5. Fair Lane-Rear view

Potting shed/greenhouse is on the right; powerhouse/garage is on the left.

Fair Lane's Early Rose Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 6, 1994

6. Fair Lane's Early Rose Garden

This garden is between the Fair Lane residence and the powerhouse/garage. At the far side of the image is the tea house.

Rouge River and cascade dam-maker of electricity image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 6, 1994

7. Rouge River and cascade dam-maker of electricity

Henry and Clara Ford Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 3, 2018

8. Henry and Clara Ford Statue

Life-size statue of Henry and Clara Ford given to the Henry Ford Estate by great-granddaughter Lynn Ford Alandt and her husband Paul that was unveiled on June 13, 2018. The statue is at the far end of the Early Rose Garden to the right of the Tea House.

Fair Lane marker base plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, June 1, 2016

9. Fair Lane marker base plaque

Fair Lane - National Historic Landmark Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, September 1, 2015

10. Fair Lane - National Historic Landmark Plaque

Edsel Bryant Ford grave marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, August 18, 2003

11. Edsel Bryant Ford grave marker

Edsel Bryant Ford is the son of Henry Ford. Edsel is buried in the Ford Family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit MI

Benson Ford grave marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, August 18, 2003

12. Benson Ford grave marker

Benson Ford is the grandson of Henry Ford. He is buried in the Ford Family Plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit MI.

William Clay Ford image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, August 18, 2003

13. William Clay Ford

William Clay Ford died in 2014. He is the grandson of Henry Ford and he is buried in the Ford Family Plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit MI.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2010. This page has been viewed 1,451 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 3, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2. submitted on June 9, 2010. 3. submitted on September 21, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4. submitted on June 9, 2010. 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 8, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 8. submitted on July 5, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 9. submitted on July 29, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 10. submitted on October 18, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 11, 12, 13. submitted on September 11, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.