White Lake Township in White Lake charter Township in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Haven Hill Getaway
Celebrities Come to Visit
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
1. The Haven Hill Getaway: Celebrities Come to Visit Marker
They came from around the world.
In the early 1920s, "weekend jaunts" in automobiles and on new roads brought day travelers to this countryside like never before, and also brought prominent people from around the world. The world of Edsel Ford included relationships with many leaders and explorers of the era and he invited them to his wooded hilltop refuge. These visitors included his father, Henry Ford, legendary inventor Thomas Edison, aviation explorers Charles Lindbergh and Admiral Richard Byrd, the Prince of Wales, Tarzan author Edgar Rice Burroughs, and movie actor Jackie Cooper.
You Auto Know
In 1923, local people gathered along Highland Road to glimpse the visit by British royal visitor, the Prince of Wales.
Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 42° 38.458′ N, 83° 33.797′ W. Marker is in White Lake charter Township, Michigan
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Edsel Ford's Leadership (a few steps from this marker); Haven Hill Lodge (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. ¾ mile away); Haven Hill Gatehouse (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Lake charter Township.
Also see . . . Ford Flivver. Wikipedia article about the Ford Flivver. (Submitted on October 23, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
2. Upper left image
Edsel Ford invited Admiral Richard Byrd to Haven Hill. Admiral Byrd won world acclaim for his air expeditions of the North and South Poles. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
3. Upper middle image
Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were good friends and visitors to Haven Hill. Photo courtesy of Walter Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
4. Lower left image
The lodge at Haven Hill. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
5. Lower middle image
Charles Lindbergh and his aircraft, "The Spirit of St. Louis," in which he made the world's first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. Lindbergh became a friend of Edsel Ford and a visitor to Haven Hill. Photo courtesy of Walter Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
6. Lower right image
Charles Lindbergh ran a test-flight of Ford's "Flivver" aircraft late in 1927. The tiny aircraft was an attempt to make airplanes as available and useful to people as the Model T automobile. Photo courtesy of Walter Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
7. The Haven Hill Getaway: Celebrities Come to Visit Marker
Behind the marker is what remains of the living room. Fire destroyed the lodge in 1999. The Edsel Ford's Leadership marker can be seen on the right of the path, past the remains of the fireplace.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 469 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 23, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
