Federal prosecutors in Brazil have hailed a court ruling requiring the preservation of Fordlandia – the city built by American industrialist Henry Ford in the heart of the Amazon rainforest in 1928. The ruling is seen as a 'historic milestone' after decades of campaigning by historians, activists, and local residents.
In a statement on Friday, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office called the decision a 'milestone' that will address a gap in Brazil's cultural preservation efforts. 'The complex has been neglected for decades,' the office wrote. 'The ruling recognizes the arguments we have put forward, pointing to the historical negligence of public authorities.'
Under the decision, the federal government, the state of Pará, the local administration of Aveiro, and the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) must coordinate to protect the site. 'All must act together to save a property that is in a severe state of decay,' prosecutors emphasized.
Since the 1990s, an administrative process had been underway to consider the preservation of Fordlandia. However, prosecutors argued that government 'stagnation' had 'put the preservation at risk.' The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office affirmed: 'Fordlandia is a landmark chapter in Brazilian history and global industry. The project represented an American effort to break the British monopoly on rubber, bringing advanced infrastructure – including a hospital, running water, electricity, and a movie theater – deep into the Amazon in the 1920s.'
Fordlandia was launched in 1928 when Henry Ford sought to dominate the rubber production market. The founder of Ford Motor Company, one of the wealthiest men of his time, invested nearly $20 million to clear a section of the Amazon and build his dream city – where he imposed his vision of healthy living and efficient work. The experiment failed: workers rebelled against strict rules such as mandatory meals of oatmeal and canned peaches, and a ban on alcohol and tobacco. Rubber trees were ravaged by fungus and pests, contributing to Ford losing control of the company to rivals.
By 1945, Fordlandia was sold back to the Brazilian government for just $244,200. Thousands of residents have lived here for decades, but a lack of maintenance has left infrastructure crumbling and running water unreliable. In 2012, the hospital burned down; thieves and vandals have ransacked the city. 'We used to have a good health system. We could go to the hospital and get medication,' said resident Raimunda Maria Silva Santos. 'But the golden age is over.'
Poverty in the Brazilian Amazon, particularly in Pará state, stood at 39.3% in 2023. In the ruling, federal prosecutors emphasized that local residents have a right to demand Fordlandia's restoration: 'The area remains a foundational place of memory for Brazilian society, and now they have a legal right to demand its restoration and preservation for future generations.'
