Vagabonds

NORTHVILLIANS,

As we mentioned over the past few weeks, Northville has been part of this country’s innovative activities which includes being host to some famous inventors. Folks around the Ville as well as family members have verified articles written in The Record about a group of innovators who would visit Henry Ford’s first local Village Industry plant. Today, we will look at how Northville was a part of these “Vagabonds’ gatherings” that occurred between 1915 and 1924.  

Vagabonds in the Ville over the years…

(Info from local sources and The Henry Ford Archives)

BACKGROUND

• Camping has long been a way for Americans to spend time relaxing with their families and friends, experiencing the beauties and wonders of nature.  Between 1915 & 1924, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone and John Burroughs, calling themselves the Four Vagabonds, embarked on a series of summer camping trips and gatherings, with Northville one of their stops.
   
• My grandfather (among other old-timers) told stories of this group who came to Northville to visit Henry’s first Village Workshop, which started operating in 1919 building valves for Fordson Tractors and Models T’s.  The allure of Northville was its river power and Henry’s personal attachment to the town. He even spent his honeymoon in this scenic historical Village. An article in The Northville Record (1923) talked about one of their trips here which occurred while on their way back from Ohio after attending President Harding’s funeral (Harding had camped with them the previous year).

The Vagabonds History:

• The overall idea of the Vagabonds was initiated in 1914 when Ford and Burroughs visited Edison in Florida and toured the Everglades.
   
• The notion blossomed the next year when Ford, Edison, and Firestone were in California together for the Panama-Pacific Exposition.
   
• In 1916, Edison invited the group to journey through the New England
  Adirondacks. Ford was not able to join this trip but said he would start organizing future ones.
   
• In 1918, Henry, Edison, Firestone and Burroughs caravanned through the Appalachian Mountains.
   
• On later trips starting in 1919 & 1920, they ventured to various mountain ranges. They also began traveling with supply trucks which included a refrigerated Lincoln Camping Truck that stored a folding round table equipped with a “Lazy Susan” that seated twenty.
   
• In 1921 the group ventured to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for the first of three visits and also stopped in Northville.
   
• After 1924, the growing fame of the campers brought too much public attention and the trips were discontinued.

I hope you can see that Northville was a notable part of the Vagabonds lore in their time together. Next week we will touch on St. Patty’s Days of yesteryear in the Ville…we know how to celebrate Irish heritage.

In life, it is a balance, isn’t it?  With Family, Friends, Health, Spirituality and Career. You can see that even the top industrialists in this country slowed down for gatherings with friends. I challenge you to do the same, knowing that tomorrow will indeed be the first day of the rest of our lives to share experiences with loved ones. Continue to reach out to your friends and keep them close.
 
Keep that Northville Faith and include balance in your life!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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