Henry Ford and Party in Washington to Discuss the Muscle Shoals Project with Secretary John Weeks, 1923
THF259311 / Henry Ford and Party in Washington to Discuss the Muscle Shoals Project with Secretary John Weeks, 1923
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Artifact Overview
For all his success, Henry Ford sometimes overreached himself. Such was the case with his 1921 proposal to lease a hydroelectric plant near Muscle Shoals, Alabama, from the federal government. Ford promised to modernize the facility to spur economic development, but federal officials worried about a public resource in private hands. Ford withdrew his controversial proposal in 1924.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
06 September 1923
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.188.3362
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 8.25 in
Width: 10 in
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Related Content
SetHenry Ford and Hydropower
- 12 Artifacts
In 1921, Henry Ford conceived a project on the Tennessee River near Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He proposed to lease two federally owned fertilizer plants and a hydroelectric dam for 99 years at a cost of $5 million, modernizing the facilities while they were under his management. Objectors voiced concerns about private control over public resources. Ford withdrew his proposal in 1924.