Henry Ford was a prominent landowner and occasional visitor in Clare County, establishing an expansive agricultural footprint just west of Harrison, Michigan.
History of the Ford Farm
Land Acquisition: Henry Ford purchased his first 640 acres of land in Greenwood Township in 1910, eventually expanding the property to encompass more than 1,200 to 1,600 acres.
Agricultural Scope: The property was used as an experimental farm to cultivate crops like wheat, hay, and potatoes, and to fatten sheep and cattle for market shipments.
Modern Evolution: Today, the historic agricultural testing grounds operate as part of the Kitty Kurtis Farm along highway M-61.
Fordson Tractor Testing and Prototypes
Development Testing: Ford used the vast Harrison acreage as a real-world testing site for the early experimental tractors he began developing in 1906.
The Prototype Phase: The property served as a proving ground for early “Automobile Plow” configurations, which eventually evolved into the finalized Henry Ford & Son tractor prototypes in 1916.
The Fordson Model F: These experimental trials directly shaped the production of the mass-produced Fordson Model F, revolutionized family farming by replacing teams of horses with affordable, lightweight machine power.
Henry Ford at the Doherty Hotel
Frequent Guest: Throughout the 1930s, Ford traveled to Clare County to oversee his agricultural holdings and corporate interests, routinely staying at the historic Doherty Hotel in downtown Clare.
Social Activity: Local historical records note that Ford was highly active during his stays, regularly dancing in the ballroom and socializing with fellow guests.
Notable Entourage: Ford often visited the hotel alongside his controversial head of security, Harry Bennett, making the landmark hotel a key hub for Detroit's industrial elite during their mid-Michigan travels.