The property included a swimming pool, tennis courts, and even a motorized tow-return toboggan run for family and guests to enjoy. He built a 6,900 square foot log cabin-style lodge on top of the highest point in the county with spectacular views of the rolling scenery. In 1923, Edsel purchased 2,400 acres of land in Oakland County. (If you don’t remember, Edsel was the only child of automotive magnate Henry Ford, a key player in his father’s company, and the longest-serving president of Ford Motor Company.) Haven Hill lodge before it burned This new mode of transportation allowed the wealthy to go further into it what was then empty countryside to build enormous lodges and estates.Įdsel Ford created Haven Hill as a retreat for his family to get away from the city. In the early 1900s, the rise of the automobile made isolated rural settings more accessible. If there were, we would have planned to spend more time. It’s unfortunate there wasn’t a word about it on the official Department of Natural Resources Highland Recreation Area website. Which is why, on a recent visit to Highland State Recreation Area, I was floored by the history we found when we stumbled across Haven Hill. As a history buff, I’m the geek reading all the informational signs, reviewing dioramas, and spending hours exploring every square inch of historical places. But I honestly didn’t expect to learn so much about our state along the way. When we started our Centennial State Parks Project, I was excited to explore many parks I’d never seen before. Haven Hill is a hidden gem in Oakland County, Michigan.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |