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In the 1920’s, Henry Ford set out to find suitable farmland for his soybean growing experiment. After his success with the Model T, Ford began to focus on transforming farming, both through the use of new equipment, but also through soybeans, a crop that could be grown and processed into automotive parts. (By 1941 Ford had figured out how to make a car out of soybeans). However, Ford also considered this venture as a way to support, preserve, and save the rural country that he loved. As he searched for land, By Sara Hilton he became smitten with the historic architecture of Macon and purchased 10,000 acres of farmland in the area for his soybean venture. As a result of
H HENRY'S
MACON
IN THE 1920’S, HENRY FORD SET OUT TO FIND SUITABLE FARMLAND FOR HIS SOYBEAN GROWING EXPERIMENT. AFTER HIS SUCCESS WITH THE MODEL T, FORD BEGAN TO FOCUS ON TRANSFORMING FARMING, BOTH THROUGH THE USE OF NEW EQUIPMENT, BUT ALSO THROUGH SOYBEANS, A CROP THAT COULD BE GROWN AND PROCESSED INTO AUTOMOTIVE PARTS. (BY 1941 FORD HAD FIGURED OUT HOW TO MAKE A CAR OUT OF SOYBEANS). HOWEVER, FORD ALSO CONSIDERED THIS VENTURE AS A WAY TO SUPPORT, PRESERVE, AND SAVE THE RURAL COUNTRY THAT HE LOVED. AS HE SEARCHED FOR LAND, HE BECAME SMITTEN WITH THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE OF MACON AND PURCHASED 10,000 ACRES OF FARMLAND IN THE AREA FOR HIS SOYBEAN VENTURE. AS A RESULT OF BOTH HIS INDUSTRY AND PHILANTHROPY, MACON WAS TRANSFORMED. FORD EMPLOYED WORKERS, BUILT A STORE, A SCHOOL, AND A GRISTMILL. IN DOING SO, THE COMMUNITY FLOURISHED AND WAS SAVED FROM THE HARSH EFFECTS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION.
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PENNINGTON/FORD HOME In 1829, John Pennington and his family were the first settlers of Macon. Although his first home was no more than a shanty, around 1845 the family built the Greek Revival home that still stands on Clinton-Macon Road. Henry Ford later purchased and restored the Pennington homestead, and frequently used it as his home while working in Macon. Ford would often summon his executives to his country home for meetings after which they would play softball on the front lawn. According to writer David L. Lewis, Ford ordered that electric switch plates be hidden in the walls of the house and hidden with wallpaper to preserve the old-fashioned nature of the home. It is said that he also hid the telephone in the closet as it clashed with the feeling of antiquity. Ford also built tunnels leading from the basement to the summer kitchen in the farmyard. The tunnels were a welcomed convenience during bad weather, and they also accommodated and made it easy to maintain steam and water pipes and electrical wiring. However, it is also said that Ford installed tunnels as a means of escape if confronted by an enemy.
This property is currently on the market.
