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Saline Valley Farms It's History Then and Now.

The Saline Valley Farms, a farm cooperative on nearly 1000 acres, 3½ miles south of town, was begun by Harold S. Gray in 1932. Oral historian James Cameron has written, "(The venture) attracted struggling families during depression years. Over one hundred members lived with their families on site and worked cooperatively to operate a dairy, orchards, poultry house, and gardens. Success mushroomed as members developed a store at the farm to sell to the public and used delivery vans to bring fresh produce and canned goods to Detroit and the suburbs. By the mid-1950s, with the death of the cooperative's founder and a recovering economy and job market, second generation members of SVF families were attracted to life other than farming." It should be noted that most of the residents came to SVF from outside the Saline area, but many these families opted to remain in our area after the Valley Farms closed down. (Cameron)

During World War II, some of Saline's young women went to work in what was termed the "Bomber Plant". Henry Ford had constructed and was operating a huge plant at Willow Run, where airplanes were produced for the government. Breaking into what was normally thought of as a man's world, these women worked side by side, doing whatever job was necessary. Collectively, they were known as Rosie the Riveter. Many of these women had husbands or other relatives in the military and this was their way of helping the war effort and, at the same time, earning money to keep their homes together. Though not on the same pay scale as men, these women earned good wages and life was never the same after that experience.

Jim Cameron is a history teacher in Saline High School and the author of the book Voices Over the Valley and oral history of Saline Valley Farms 1932-1953. The book is filled with details about the "experiment", many people still living in Saline.

Come out and see the cottages and barns and watch the new development grow.

Posted by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate on 04/28/2007 06:39 PM

Comments (4)

saline, michigan, lakes, saline valley farms, new homes in saline mi, localism

This post has been included in Michigan Information Washtenaw County, MI Information Saline, MI Information

4 Comments on Saline Valley Farms It's History Then and Now.

This is great local history. I bet your clients love hearing about their community.

06/11/2007 10:37 AM

by Tina Howell, Realtor® Frisco & Celina Real Estate (RE/MAX First Realty II)

Thanks, Tina

06/11/2007 10:41 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

My name is Rex Vaughn, and I am the grandson of Harold M. and Marion Miller Vaughn, the former General Manager and "Social Chairman" of Saline Valley Farms. My father, David Vaughn, Harold's and Marion's second son, still resides in Owosso, MI. Although we have significant angst over the conversion of our family heritage to another cookie cutter wittless commercial development and the unnecessary loss of the historic buidings, we do hope that all the new residents have an appreciation for the unique social experiment that took place under the foundations of their present day abodes. During the depths of the Depression, Harold Gray, a benefactor of the immense fortune created by General Motors, decided to try his hand at social engineering. In the shadow of the great socialist mecca known as the University of Michigan, my grandfather and grandmother organized and managed Harold Gray's vision. May you all enjoy Lake Ella Lee, and appreciate the unique site you live on.

Regards,

Rex Vaughn

07/20/2007 07:54 PM

by Rex Vaughn

Rex, we do love it and Lake Ella is the best. The historic building are still there at this point. We do share the history with our clients and Jim Cameron has written a wonderful book on Saline Valley which is available to anyone. I have read most of it.

Three hundred ac are not being developed and being maintained for preservation. Each lot was left with many trees and it is truly a beautiful site.

07/21/2007 07:31 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

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Real Estate Agent: Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate
Ann Arbor, MI
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Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan

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A blog about real estate in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the surrounding area's of Saline, Dexter, Chelsea and Ypsilanti.

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