Interior of Henry Ford's Private Railroad Car, "Fair Lane," June 22, 1921
THF148015 / Interior of Henry Ford's Private Railroad Car, "Fair Lane," June 22, 1921
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Artifact Overview
By 1920, Henry and Clara Ford found it increasingly difficult to travel in privacy. They purchased a private railroad car and named it Fair Lane. Mrs. Ford designed the car's interior in consultation with Sidney Houghton of London. Houghton had earlier provided the same service for the Fords' yacht, Sialia. The Fords made more than 400 trips with Fair Lane.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
17 August 1927
Subject Date
22 June 1921
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
64.167.189.P.4613
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Linen (Material)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 11 in
Width: 7.5 in
Inscriptions
Embossed on print front, bottom center: "BUILT BY PULLMAN CAR & MFG. CO."
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Related Content
SetFair Lane: The Fords' Private Railroad Car
- 25 Artifacts
By 1920, Henry and Clara Ford found it difficult to travel by railroad. Henry Ford was widely recognized -- pestered by the public and hounded by reporters. The Fords purchased a private railroad car they called Fair Lane, so they could travel conveniently and quietly across the extensive American railroad network. The Fords made more than 400 trips with Fair Lane from 1921 to 1942.
articleBehind the Scenes: Photographing the Interior of the Fair Lane Railroad Car
Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to photograph the interior of the 1921 Fair Lane, Henry Ford’s private railroad car, on exhibit in Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.
articleThe Fair Lane Business Car: Restrained Luxury
Henry Ford’s private railroad car Fair Lane was one of the largest passenger railcars built when it was completed by Pullman in 1921.
articleFair Lane: The Fords’ Private Railroad Car
Fair Lane, the private Pullman railroad car built for and used by Henry and Clara Ford, turns 100 years old in 2021. It provides a fascinating window into business and pleasure travel for the wealthy in the early 20th century.