Out of State Buyer Swoops in on Marquette County Property
Based on details from a March 5 2025 report by Kurt Nagl (paygate)
In a move that intertwines environmental stewardship with a nod to a bygone industrial era, Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford—great-grandson of the legendary automaker founder—has sold a significant tract of forested land along Lake Superior’s bluffs in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The six parcels, totaling roughly 643 acres, sold for $4.16 million and include over 13,000 feet of pristine shoreline. The sale, executed on Jan. 29 and officially recorded on Feb. 3, marks another chapter in the Ford family’s long, intertwined history with the region.
A Sale Steeped in History
Bill Ford, acting as trustee for the William C. Ford Jr. Family Trust, divested the property to LakeSuperiorshoreline LLC—a South Dakota-based entity linked to prominent business figures Martin Vanderploeg and Jeffrey Trom. Vanderploeg, a Michigan native with deep ties to higher education and philanthropic ventures (including a notable $17.3 million donation to Michigan State University), adds a modern dimension to the legacy that began over a century ago with Henry Ford’s ambitious forays into regional industry in Marquette County property.
The property, characterized by its dense sugar maple forests and dramatic high bluffs, is zoned for recreational use and timber production. Its limited accessibility—reachable only by a two-track dirt road that sees little maintenance in winter—suggests that future plans for the land will prioritize conservation and sustainable resource management over intensive development.
The Ford Legacy in the Upper Peninsula
The sale is not an isolated event but part of a broader trend of the Ford family gradually divesting from vast landholdings once central to their industrial strategy. During the early 20th century, Henry Ford pursued a bold vision of vertical integration by acquiring extensive timberlands—at one point amassing more than 350,000 acres in the Upper Peninsula. These lands fueled a range of operations, from sawmills and iron mines to manufacturing plants, which played a pivotal role in the regional economy and helped support the production of vehicles like the Model T.
Following Henry Ford’s death in 1947, manufacturing operations in the U.P. declined. By the 1950s, most of the company’s northern assets were sold off as technological shifts and changes in manufacturing priorities rendered the timber-centric operations obsolete. Yet, echoes of that era persist—not only in the natural landscape but also in the enduring legacy of industrial innovation and community development.
A parallel sale occurred in 2023 when Sheila Ford Hamp, Bill Ford’s sister and a key figure in the family's modern business ventures (including ownership of the Detroit Lions), sold approximately 700 acres in Marquette County. Her property, situated near the exclusive Huron Mountain Club—a club once at odds with Henry Ford’s reputation but later embraced after he intervened to protect its seclusion—underscores the family’s ongoing commitment to balancing legacy with environmental conservation.
Looking to the Future: Conservation and Community
Local voices, like U.P. entrepreneur David Ollila, view these divestments as reflective of a larger shift in the region. While the historical imprint of Ford’s operations is indelible, modern stakeholders are keen to preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Upper Peninsula while exploring new avenues for economic development that are aligned with sustainable practices.
Today’s buyers and local administrators indicate that the recently sold property is unlikely to see major development. Instead, its future may lie in careful, sustainable management that honors its historical significance while providing recreational opportunities for the public—a continuation of the balance between progress and preservation that has long characterized the Ford legacy in the region.
A Legacy That Endures
Although Ford Motor Co. ended its manufacturing ventures in the U.P. decades ago, the historical imprint of Henry Ford’s industrial ambitions remains evident. From the once-thriving sawmills and worker towns to educational initiatives at institutions like Michigan Technological University—where legacy sites like the town of Alberta still serve as hands-on classrooms for forestry students—the influence of the Ford era continues to shape the region’s cultural and economic landscape.
Bill Ford’s recent sale, and the family’s broader strategy of responsibly managing and, in some cases, relinquishing ancestral lands, serves as a poignant reminder of how industrial heritage can evolve. It underscores a commitment to both preserving the natural environment and ensuring that the historical contributions of one of America’s most influential families continue to benefit future generations.
**Factual Summary of the Original Article**
Transaction Details:
Bill Ford, acting as trustee for the William C. Ford Jr. Family Trust, sold six parcels totaling approximately 643 acres.
The sale was completed for $4.16 million; the property was originally listed at $4.99 million.
The title transfer document is dated January 29, 2025, and was recorded on February 3, 2025.
Property Characteristics:
The land is located on the bluffs along Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
It includes more than 13,000 feet of Lake Superior shoreline.
The property is composed of extremely dense sugar maple forest and features high bluffs and cliffs, including areas known as Salmon Trout Point and Black Rock Cape.
Zoned for recreational use and timber production, it is accessible only via a two-track dirt road from Big Bay that is not plowed in winter.
Historical Context:
Henry Ford once owned over 350,000 acres in the Upper Peninsula, supporting extensive operations including logging, mining, sawmills, and manufacturing plants.
Ford’s operations in the region were scaled back after his death in 1947, with most properties sold off by the 1950s.
In 2023, Sheila Ford Hamp sold around 700 acres in Marquette County for $3.5 million; her property borders the Huron Mountain Club, a notable historic enclave tied to Henry Ford.
New Ownership:
The buyer of Bill Ford’s property is LakeSuperiorshoreline LLC, a South Dakota-based entity.
The entity is connected to Martin Vanderploeg, a co-founder and former CEO of Workiva, and Jeffrey Trom, a former chief technology officer at the same company.
Additional Points:
The land has not been actively managed for more than 50 years.
Its current state offers potential for both conservation and sustainable resource management.
Local officials indicate that due to its limited accessibility and zoning restrictions, significant development is unlikely.