In the early 1800s, Henry Ford, the automotive magnate based in Michigan, along with his family, sought respite from winter in Fort Myers, situated on the Gulf Coast of Florida. However, from the mid-1920s onward, desiring greater privacy and expansiveness, Ford turned his attention to Ways Station, an expanse of coastal land in Georgia’s Lowcountry region, ultimately acquiring approximately 85,000 acres, spanning about 120 square miles.
By 1937, Ford and his wife Clara had overseen the completion of a grand Georgian Revival mansion, now the focal point of the exclusive Ford Field and River Club community. Before that, for roughly twelve years, they resided in what is referred to as Cherry Hill House, a 19th-century dwelling that has undergone extensive renovations over the past four years and is currently listed for $4.495 million.
Nestled within the secure confines of The Ford Field and River Club, this two-story residence, originally built in 1870, now spans a comfortable 4,215 square feet, featuring four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a couple of powder rooms. Expansive covered verandas totaling 2,200 square feet adorn both the front and rear of the house, providing shaded areas with sweeping vistas overlooking Lake Clara, as well as the Pete Dye-designed golf course meandering through the upscale club community along the sinuous Ogeechee River.
While retaining its original genteel allure, the interior spaces have been thoughtfully reconfigured and interconnected to create a more relaxed and sociable layout conducive to informal gatherings. The living room boasts a brick fireplace and bespoke built-ins, seamlessly flowing into the adjoining dining room, which is bathed in natural light from eight-pane floor-to-ceiling windows and fully open to the kitchen. Equipped with high-end appliances and brass fixtures, the kitchen also features a separate scullery and a mudroom, complete with luxurious amenities for the four-legged occupants, including a built-in food and water station nestled within a marble-lined niche.
The upper porch boasts a customized beverage nook, as described in listings managed by Kacey Howard and Danielle Hopper from Seabolt Real Estate’s Howard & Hopper Team. The nearly one-acre property is meticulously landscaped with winding lawns and a generously-sized firepit. Recently added is a detached structure spanning almost 1,200 square feet, comprising two air-conditioned two-car garages connected by a dogtrot, or breezeway.
Situated approximately a 40-minute drive from Savannah, The Ford Field and River Club sprawls across 1,800 acres, boasting miles of river frontage. Amidst centuries-old magnolias and indigenous wildlife, residents and visitors enjoy a plethora of amenities, including a deep-water marina, spa facilities, a sports barn and pool, a communal farm, and a shooting preserve. Additionally, guided fishing expeditions, nature walks, and kayak tours led by an on-site naturalist are available.
