 Ford built a hydroelectric dam along the Menominee River to supply power to the Kingsford mill , bought the Imperial Mine , and opened the Blueberry Mine near Ishpeming to supply iron ore . The Ford Railroad was constructed between L 'Anse and the Cliff River for his logging operations on 300 @,@ 000 acres ( 100 @,@ 000 ha ) of timberland purchased in 1922 . He often visited the Upper Peninsula on business , but as early as 1917 , the year he ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate , he sought entry into the Huron Mountain Club . Since the club limited its membership , Ford worked to improve his chances . His admission would ultimately come when M @-@ 35 construction was halted in the Huron Mountains . 
