Orchard Lake in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Orchard Lake Museum
and the Treasures of Local History
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 2, 2017
1. The Orchard Lake Museum Marker
The Orchard Lake Museum has been an intersection
where paths cross and people meet. The first building here was a small tavern named the Orchard Lake House, built in 1857 for stagecoach travelers. Various owners rebuilt and enlarged the site, later named the Orchard Lake Hotel, to entertain the growing resort community on the lakes, especially city folks arriving on nearby trolley cars in the early 1900s. In 1939 the building was mostly torn down and replaced by the smaller Orchard Lake Village Hall, now occupied by the museum and the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society.
You Auto Know
In 1939 a new Orchard Lake Village Hall was built upon the fieldstone foundation of the original building.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. 42° 34.964′ N, 83° 21.462′ W. Marker is in Orchard Lake, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker can be reached from West Bloomfield Trail. Marker is on the West Bloomfield Trail, a bicycling/hiking trail,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Waiting for the Trolleys (here, next to this marker); Drawn by Water (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Green School Bell (about 500 feet away); Conglomerate Boulder (about 500 feet away); Apple Island (about 500 feet away); Chief Pontiac (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Apple Island (approx. ¼ mile away); Gateway to Nature (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orchard Lake.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 2, 2017
2. Left Images
Top: "The Zinc King" washboard was used by a local family in the early 1900s. Bottom left: This porcelain vase is from the Campbell family who owned Apple Island in Orchard Lake from 1856 to 1915. Bottom right: Museum artifacts include a Native American stone axe-head and an 1800s settler's iron axe-head.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 2, 2017
3. Middle Image
The boat landing on the shore of Orchard Lake, below the hotel, 1920s.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 2, 2017
4. Upper Right Image
Woodcut image of Orchard Lake House, 1870s. Long Lake Road is to the left and Orchard Lake Road is to the right. Unless noted otherwise, all images are courtesy of the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 2, 2017
5. Middle Right Image
Orchard Lake Village Hall, 1930s. After the village was founded in 1929, the former hotel building was used for village affairs.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 2, 2017
6. The Orchard Lake Museum Marker
This marker is the closest one.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 5, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
