Our Hometown: Richmond Hill and Henry Ford

The Richmond Hill Historical Society sits along Highway 144.

A small white building it was once a school...teaching the children of what was then known as Ways Station.

“Most of his buildings were built similar to this with the heart pine lumber oak floors and ford liked the tall windows to let the light in,” explains Frank Grimm the Museum’s Caretaker.

The Ford Grimm is referring to is Henry Ford. During the 20s 30s and 40s he spent time in the Bryan County Community.

“They went up and down the east coast of the united states looking for sustainable lands to start a rubber operation,” says area historian Buddy Sullivan.   

Long story short the rubber plantation didn't work but Ford, who eventually owned eighty five thousand acres, stayed and grew other crops.

“A lot of lettuce, Richmond Hill Lettuce became famous all along the east coast and so this was a thriving activity,” says Sullivan.

Creating hundreds of jobs and building in Ford and his wife, Clara's mind...a model community.

“Henry Ford did a lot for the people around here. He was a philanthropist from the very start and he had no intent on coming here to make a huge profit. He was already one of the most successful industrialists in the United States.”

They built medical facilities, churches, and a commissary for his workers... all depicted in a mural at the museum.

“They started a trade school and they improved the local public education. They built schools for the blacks. The blacks had no schools here expect little one room school houses.”

Making such an impact the community wanted to rename ways station after Ford...

“They wanted to call it Ford town or Fordville and he said no I don't want to do that.”

Instead they named it Richmond Hill in honor of Ford's estate along the Ogeechee.

Ensuring Henry and Clara ford's impact will always be remembered

Roughly 25 structures are being preserved with the intention of being listed on the National Registry. They include:

    *Bryan County Court House

    *Community House

    *Martha-Mary Chapel

    *Richmond Hill School Teacherage

    *Commissary

    *Cannan Baptist Church

    *Kindergarten Building

    *Richmond Hill Plantation, currently on the National Registry

To see where they're located and for more information on the Richmond Hill Museum log onto:

http://www.richmondhillga.com/museum/