The Dearborn Inn
Encyclopedia
The Dearborn Inn, a Marriott Hotel, located at 20301 Oakwood Boulevard in Dearborn, Michigan
, is a luxurious historic hotel, conceived by Henry Ford
, who saw a need for food and accommodations for visitors flying into the nearby Ford Airport. Designed by famed architect Albert Kahn, the Dearborn hotel was intended to be a stately inn with Georgian architecture
, and, upon its opening in July 1931, it became the first airport hotel in the country.
, Henry Ford commissioned renowned architect Albert Kahn to design The Dearborn Inn, who in 1931 would create a Georgian inn to serve Ford’s Dearborn airport. The Dearborn hotel is now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places
and features 229 rooms, including five Colonial guest homes, built in 1937. While thoughtful interior renovations have occurred over the Dearborn hotel’s 77 year history, the exterior has remained the same as Ford’s original vision. Additional features include The Early American Room, a fine dining restaurant; the Ten Eyck Tavern, a home-style dining establishment; a seasonal outdoor pool; and 17000 square feet (1,579.4 m²) of meeting space including the Alexandria Ballroom, which Ford commissioned to satisfy his love of dancing.
The Dearborn Inn was situated on a 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) site on Oakwood Boulevard across the street from Ford Airport
. The Colonial Revival style of the Inn was in harmony with the nearby Edison Institute, and the Inn’s décor was early American colonial, a style favored by Henry Ford. With great fanfare, The Dearborn Inn opened for business in July 1931; Henry Ford was the first person to sign the guestbook.
Though the Ford Airport closed in 1933, replaced by the Ford vehicle test track, The Dearborn Inn continued to offer accommodations and dining, as the hotel already had a reputation as one of the nation’s premier inns.
In 1933, the Dormitory Building was added to house employees of The Dearborn Inn; however, in the 1960s, it was converted into changing rooms for The Dearborn Inn’s Swim Club.
Five replica homes were constructed in 1937, creating a small Colonial Village and adding 31 guestrooms to the Inn. Guests today can still enjoy a stay in the reproduction homes of famous Americans: Edgar Allan Poe
, Walt Whitman
, Barbara Fritchie, Oliver Wolcott, and Patrick Henry
. While the original plan called for 18 historic homes in the Colonial Village, World War II halted further expansion. During the war, pilots from the Detroit airport, just a few miles away, had special accommodations on the Inn’s first floor, and today, one wing of the first floor is still known as “Pilot’s Row”.
The Dearborn Inn secured its place in hospitality history with many industry “firsts”. In 1937, it became the nation’s first hotel to have air conditioning
, and in 1961, it was the first hotel in Michigan to install a direct-dial telephone system for guests. The Dearborn hotel is also said to have influenced the evolution of destination resorts and is considered to be one of the industry’s first such properties. The hotel offered families many popular activities of the era, such as horseback riding, tennis, badminton, ballroom dancing for adults, a playground for children, and even sightseeing trips over Detroit and Windsor, Ontario
in a Ford Tri-Motor airplane.
In 1960, two motor lodges were completed, adding another 54 rooms to The Dearborn Inn complex. Named after two geniuses of American ingenuity admired by Henry Ford, the Burbank House (in honor of horticulturalist Luther Burbank
) and the McGuffey House (in honor of Dr. William Holmes McGuffey
, author of the McGuffey Readers
) were designed to offer larger rooms and suites for families and bridal couples.
Ballroom dancing was one of Henry Ford’s great passions, and, emulating a space he had admired in Virginia, Ford designed the 3444 square feet (320 m²) Alexandria Ballroom to provide a place to dance with family and friends. When the Greenfield Room, now the hotel’s executive offices, was added in 1965, it was said to be the first of its kind with a ground floor, drive-in meeting and exhibit room. Today, the hotel’s meeting and event space includes 17,000 total square feet.
On December 10, 1982, the Federal Government placed The Dearborn Inn on the National Register of Historic Places
. The Michigan State Historic Register listed The Dearborn Inn and Colonial Homes on February 10, 1983. The hotel underwent extensive renovation and expansion in 1987, which enlarged the banquet facilities, increased and completely refurbished the guestrooms, including the historical homes. Also, the grounds were extensively landscaped and three of the guest cottages were relocated to an expansive common area behind the Inn. Throughout the design and construction phases, great care was taken to maintain the historical integrity of the Inn. The Dearborn Inn was rededicated upon its opening in 1989 as a Marriott Hotel.
As part of its 75th anniversary, The Dearborn Inn underwent another renovation in 2008, including a complete renovation of guest rooms and corridors as well as the addition of modern technological amenities. In 2009, AAA
recognized The Dearborn Inn as one of its top 10 U.S. historic hotels.
The Dearborn Inn is located two blocks from The Henry Ford
, home of the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, Rouge Factory Tour, and IMAX Theatre, and near other area attractions, such as the Henry Ford Estate
, Detroit Casinos, Detroit Institute of Arts
, Museum of African American History, Automobile Hall of Fame, Arab American National Museum
, and the Detroit Zoo
.
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
, is a luxurious historic hotel, conceived by Henry Ford
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
, who saw a need for food and accommodations for visitors flying into the nearby Ford Airport. Designed by famed architect Albert Kahn, the Dearborn hotel was intended to be a stately inn with Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
, and, upon its opening in July 1931, it became the first airport hotel in the country.
Features
Inspired by a passion for Colonial Revival architectureColonial Revival architecture
The Colonial Revival was a nationalistic architectural style, garden design, and interior design movement in the United States which sought to revive elements of Georgian architecture, part of a broader Colonial Revival Movement in the arts. In the early 1890s Americans began to value their own...
, Henry Ford commissioned renowned architect Albert Kahn to design The Dearborn Inn, who in 1931 would create a Georgian inn to serve Ford’s Dearborn airport. The Dearborn hotel is now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and features 229 rooms, including five Colonial guest homes, built in 1937. While thoughtful interior renovations have occurred over the Dearborn hotel’s 77 year history, the exterior has remained the same as Ford’s original vision. Additional features include The Early American Room, a fine dining restaurant; the Ten Eyck Tavern, a home-style dining establishment; a seasonal outdoor pool; and 17000 square feet (1,579.4 m²) of meeting space including the Alexandria Ballroom, which Ford commissioned to satisfy his love of dancing.
History
In 1931, Henry Ford determined the need for lodging near his airport in Dearborn, Michigan, and he commissioned prominent architect Albert Kahn, who built many of Detroit’s magnificent landmarks to design The Dearborn Inn. Characteristically, Ford took a very active part in the development of the hotel.The Dearborn Inn was situated on a 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) site on Oakwood Boulevard across the street from Ford Airport
Ford Airport (Dearborn)
Ford Airport in Dearborn, Michigan was one of the first modern airports in the world. The airport operated from 1924 to 1947, and the site is now part of Ford Motor Company's Dearborn Proving Ground. The airport is about 360 acres in size....
. The Colonial Revival style of the Inn was in harmony with the nearby Edison Institute, and the Inn’s décor was early American colonial, a style favored by Henry Ford. With great fanfare, The Dearborn Inn opened for business in July 1931; Henry Ford was the first person to sign the guestbook.
Though the Ford Airport closed in 1933, replaced by the Ford vehicle test track, The Dearborn Inn continued to offer accommodations and dining, as the hotel already had a reputation as one of the nation’s premier inns.
In 1933, the Dormitory Building was added to house employees of The Dearborn Inn; however, in the 1960s, it was converted into changing rooms for The Dearborn Inn’s Swim Club.
Five replica homes were constructed in 1937, creating a small Colonial Village and adding 31 guestrooms to the Inn. Guests today can still enjoy a stay in the reproduction homes of famous Americans: Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
, Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
Walter "Walt" Whitman was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse...
, Barbara Fritchie, Oliver Wolcott, and Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was an orator and politician who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and subsequently, from 1784 to 1786...
. While the original plan called for 18 historic homes in the Colonial Village, World War II halted further expansion. During the war, pilots from the Detroit airport, just a few miles away, had special accommodations on the Inn’s first floor, and today, one wing of the first floor is still known as “Pilot’s Row”.
The Dearborn Inn secured its place in hospitality history with many industry “firsts”. In 1937, it became the nation’s first hotel to have air conditioning
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
, and in 1961, it was the first hotel in Michigan to install a direct-dial telephone system for guests. The Dearborn hotel is also said to have influenced the evolution of destination resorts and is considered to be one of the industry’s first such properties. The hotel offered families many popular activities of the era, such as horseback riding, tennis, badminton, ballroom dancing for adults, a playground for children, and even sightseeing trips over Detroit and Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
in a Ford Tri-Motor airplane.
In 1960, two motor lodges were completed, adding another 54 rooms to The Dearborn Inn complex. Named after two geniuses of American ingenuity admired by Henry Ford, the Burbank House (in honor of horticulturalist Luther Burbank
Luther Burbank
Luther Burbank was an American botanist, horticulturist and a pioneer in agricultural science.He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 54-year career. Burbank's varied creations included fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables...
) and the McGuffey House (in honor of Dr. William Holmes McGuffey
William Holmes McGuffey
William Holmes McGuffey was an American professor and college president who is best known for writing the McGuffey Readers, one of the nation's first and most widely used series of textbooks...
, author of the McGuffey Readers
McGuffey Readers
McGuffey Readers were a series of graded primers that were widely used as textbooks in American schools from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, and are still used today in some private schools and in homeschooling....
) were designed to offer larger rooms and suites for families and bridal couples.
Ballroom dancing was one of Henry Ford’s great passions, and, emulating a space he had admired in Virginia, Ford designed the 3444 square feet (320 m²) Alexandria Ballroom to provide a place to dance with family and friends. When the Greenfield Room, now the hotel’s executive offices, was added in 1965, it was said to be the first of its kind with a ground floor, drive-in meeting and exhibit room. Today, the hotel’s meeting and event space includes 17,000 total square feet.
On December 10, 1982, the Federal Government placed The Dearborn Inn on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The Michigan State Historic Register listed The Dearborn Inn and Colonial Homes on February 10, 1983. The hotel underwent extensive renovation and expansion in 1987, which enlarged the banquet facilities, increased and completely refurbished the guestrooms, including the historical homes. Also, the grounds were extensively landscaped and three of the guest cottages were relocated to an expansive common area behind the Inn. Throughout the design and construction phases, great care was taken to maintain the historical integrity of the Inn. The Dearborn Inn was rededicated upon its opening in 1989 as a Marriott Hotel.
As part of its 75th anniversary, The Dearborn Inn underwent another renovation in 2008, including a complete renovation of guest rooms and corridors as well as the addition of modern technological amenities. In 2009, AAA
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
recognized The Dearborn Inn as one of its top 10 U.S. historic hotels.
The Dearborn Inn is located two blocks from The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford, a National Historic Landmark, , in the Metro Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, USA, is a large indoor and outdoor history museum complex...
, home of the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, Rouge Factory Tour, and IMAX Theatre, and near other area attractions, such as the Henry Ford Estate
Fair Lane
Fair Lane was the name of the estate of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford and his wife Clara Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, in the United States. It was named after an area in County Cork in Ireland where Ford's adoptive grandfather, Patrick Ahern, was born...
, Detroit Casinos, Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts is a renowned art museum in the city of Detroit. In 2003, the DIA ranked as the second largest municipally owned museum in the United States, with an art collection valued at more than one billion dollars...
, Museum of African American History, Automobile Hall of Fame, Arab American National Museum
Arab American National Museum
The Arab American National Museum , which opened in 2005, is the first museum in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, the Museum seeks to dispel misconceptions about Arab Americans and other minorities....
, and the Detroit Zoo
Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoological Park, commonly known as the Detroit Zoo, is located about north of the Detroit city limits at the intersection of Woodward Avenue, 10 Mile Road, and Interstate 696 in Royal Oak and Huntington Woods, Michigan, USA...
.