The Haven Hill Gate House

This is an audio/video short informing you of the history of special sites in the Haven Hill section of Highland State Recreation Area in Michigan. Haven Hill was once the country estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford and their family in Highland/White Lake, Michigan.

The Gatehouse was built in 1927 as the formal entryway into the 2,422-acre Haven Hill estate. At approximately 1,800 ft.², the 1927 gate house was a three-bedroom home that served as the living quarters for the farm superintendent and family.

It also served as a secure primary entrance and exit for the Fords and their guests. Security was heightened in the 1920's and 1930's for such prominent families, arising from stresses including the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, gangsterism during prohibition, and labor unrest in Flint and Detroit.

Upon Edsel’s passing, and the subsequent sale of the estate to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the gatehouse also served as the residence for successive park Supervisors and their families. The building was eventually closed in the 1980’s.

After renovation and repurposing, the Gatehouse will eventually serve as a small welcome center providing visitor information about things to do, various park interest groups’ information, historical details about Haven Hill, Highland State Recreation Area, and the surrounding lands.