The Good Reader Blog

The Good Reader Blog
Source of the painting - Couch on the Porch, Cos Cob, Frederick Childe Hassam, 1914

Friday, July 11, 2025

Book Review: Before Fairlane by L. Glenn O'Kray

Before Fairlane Before Fairlane by L. Glenn O’Kray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another beautiful coffee table book from the Dearborn Historical Museum and L. Glenn O'Kray.   

Building the Fair Lane Estate began in 1914, and Henry and Clara Ford moved into their mansion in 1916.  It is located behind what is now the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus, next to Henry Ford College.  Although the estate is currently closed to visitors during a multi-year renovation, the grounds plus Clara's beautiful gardens are freely open to the public.  The book also contains articles on Henry Ford's birthplace (now located in Greenfield Village), Henry and Clara's Honeymoon Cottage, and the Fair Lane Gate House. 

The book also exhaustively spotlights all the houses in Dearborn that were built prior to Henry Ford's mansion, a period which ranges from 1832 to 1916.  Overall, this is an incredible book documenting the history of Dearborn through the houses and architecture.  A must-read for Dearborn residents, and is available at the local Dearborn public libraries!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/

View all my reviews

Book Review: Before Fairlane by L. Glenn O'Kray

Before Fairlane by L. Glenn O’Kray My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is another beautiful coffee table book from the...