When you’re searching for a unique way to experience the past and escape the challenges of modern life, Michigan offers its fair share of destinations. From history-rich restaurants to long-standing museums and buildings, there’s plenty to love and discover throughout the state. One absolutely stunning estate, though, will make you feel as if you’ve wandered into another era. Prepare to be utterly enchanted.
Fair Lane Estate is located at 1 Fair Lane Dr in Dearborn.
This fascinating mansion and its accompanying grounds once served as the home of auto tycoon Henry Ford and his wife, Clara. Today, it offers visitors a beautiful and unique window into the past.
The home was completed in 1915, with the Fords moving in shortly thereafter. The estate’s name, Fair Lane, was inspired by a region of Cork, Ireland that housed Ford’s beloved adoptive grandfather.
For the Fords, Fair Lane represented a merging of passions, comforts, and simple pleasures. The estate offered everything from brilliant gardens for Clara to laboratory space and stables.
While the home itself is currently closed for renovations, the grounds of Fair Lane are free and open for adventuring. Visitors can stop by seven days per week between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
As you gaze at the exterior of the home, you might just feel like you’ve been transported to Europe. During summer months, wander through seemingly endless flowers and gorgeous greenery.
Fair Lane sits on a whopping 1,300 acres of land, so it’s truly more like a park than a homestead. Check out statues of the Fords themselves, the pretty patio space, and views of the on-site powerhouse.
While most of us will never have the opportunity to reside within a 31,000-square-foot home or live among lavish rose gardens, a visit to Fair Lane Estate offers us the chance to imagine for a day.
For additional information about Fair Lane and its many magical elements, click here. Have you and your family strolled through the grounds of this true Michigan treasure during previous outings? Share your experiences with us by leaving a Facebook comment or recommend another must-see spot in the Great Lakes State by filling out our nomination form here.