Haven Hill

 

In 1923, Edsel Ford began purchasing parcels of land spanning Highland and White Lake Townships, for what would eventually become Edsel & Eleanor Ford’s, Haven Hill Estate.

 

Construction of the estate began with the groundbreaking of the Haven Hill Lodge in 1924. By 1931, the Haven Hill Estate was complete, including a swimming pool, tennis court, tow-return toboggan run, and horse riding track.

Completely self-sufficient, the estate included two vegetable gardens, a farm area, and a lake.

 

Initially, the Haven Hill Estate was comprised of five structures:

1. Gatehouse, upon entry into the estate

2. Riding stables for the prized riding horses

3. Barn, housing 1,500 sheep

4. Carriage House, designed as the garage and living quarters for the chauffeur

5. Lodge, the residence of the Ford family (Edsel and Eleanor Ford, their sons, Henry II, Benson, and William Clay, and daughter, Josephine)

 

Designed as a getaway home, Haven Hill accommodated many visitors, ranging from the Prince of Wales, to Tarzan author, Edgar Rice Burroughs. After the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh’s son, the estate became high security, with walking guards and guard dogs, as well as barbed wire fencing surrounding the entire 2,422 acres.

 

Eleanor Ford sold the Haven Hill Estate to the state of Michigan in 1946, three years after Edsel’s untimely passing at age 49.

 

At A Glimpse

· Edsel & Eleanor Ford estate from 1923-1946

· 2,422 acres, that included 69 acre man-made Haven Hill Lake

· Completely self-sufficient, high security

· Lodge was built at the top of Haven Hill, on the border line of Highland & White Lake Townships

· Three remaining structures = barn, carriage house & gatehouse

· Lodge was designed by architect, Robert O. Derrick

· Oakland County’s highest natural hill — 1,132 feet

· Estate was landscaped by Jens Jensen

· Received “National Natural Landmark” designation in 1972, and American Society of Landscape Architects “Medallion Award” in 1999

· Riding stables were destroyed by fire in 1949, while the Lodge was destroyed by fire in 1999

· The $1.8 million estate was sold to the state of Michigan for $310,000.00, a deal that even included the toboggans

 

Remaining Attractions

1.   Barn

2.   Carriage House

3.   Gatehouse

4.   Lodge footprint and fireplace

5.   Jens Jensen landscape

6.   Underground pump house

7.   Two underground power stations

8.   Swimming pool

9.   Tennis court

10. Toboggan run

11. 25 yards of security fencing

12. Guard-dog house

 

Highland State Recreation Area

 

Save the Haven Hill Sheep Barn

 

Help Stabilize and Restore

 

A Landmark of the Past

Guide to the Future

A visit is literally a “day in the park”

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