HENRY'S MACON

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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, he became smitten with the H HENRY'S By Sara Hilton historic architecture of Macon and purchased 10,000 acres of farmland in the area for his MACON soybean venture. As a result of

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.

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.

MACON MILL

Dynamic Kernels Mill, located on Mills-Macon Road, was the last vintage gristmill built by Henry Ford. It was named Dynamic Kernels Mill and built in 1944 to commemorate the final harvest of a religiously inspired wheat tithing project. The mill was built in Greek Revival style and powered by a small undershot water wheel. Due to Ford’s poor health and later death, the mill was shut down before it went into full production.

The mill is currently privately owned and not open to the public.

Upon Henry Ford’s arrival in Macon, he started schools for the children of his employees. Ford furnished everything free to the pupils. In addition to providing basic and core subjects, he arranged for teachers from the Dearborn Detroit Edison Institute to come to Macon and instruct students in home economics, dancing, music, craft, and drama. In addition to education, Ford provided free medical, dental, and hospital care to all the students. The school flourished for nearly 18 years until Ford’s death in 1947.

In 1948 the property became Boysville, which began as a boarding school for Catholic boys with home issues. Over the course of decades, Boysville grew into a haven for troubled boys and housed and Macon Grocery was built in 1941 by Henry Ford. The frame is made of solid oak timbers that were hewn at the Ford sawmill (Located on the current Hive Project property.) Ford employees were offered merchandise at a discount. The grocery remained open after Ford’s death and has passed through various owners. Today it is owned by John and Erika Alyward and continues to serve as a community gathering spot. n

FORD SCHOOL/ BOYSVILLE

Former Ford High School Now a private residence, this stone house was once used as a Ford elementary school

Now houses The Hive Project

educated minors convicted of a range of crimes. Boysville closed in 2015.

In 2021 the property was purchased by The Hive Project which empowers artists, educators and entrepreneurs (young and old) united by a common desire to share, teach, innovate, and compassionately serve.