Sylvan Lake in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Learning and Growing

at the Daniel Whitfield School

Photographed By Joel Seewald, May 15, 2021

1. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A booming automobile industry challenged resources.
The first Daniel Whitfield School was opened in 1852 to meet the needs of Sylvan Lake's children. Four decades later a bigger building replaced this small, one-room wooden schoolhouse. The flourishing automotive industry brought more families with children to the area. To keep pace with the demand, a new seven-room brick school was built on the site in 1927. The architect, Charles A. Fisher, not only designed modest arts and crafts style buildings but also large factories. Daniel Whitfield School at Orchard Lake and Ward Roads grew up with the car industry and continued to enrich the community until it closed in 1991.

You Auto Know
In 1852, the first school's teacher Samuel Rod was paid $18.00 per month and even worked on Saturdays.

Erected 2013 by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location.

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42° 36.777′ N, 83° 19.77′ W. Marker is in Sylvan Lake, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker is on Inverness Street, 0.1 miles north of Orchard Lake Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the Clinton River Trail, about 75 feet east of Inverness Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Keego Harbor MI 48320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ordered by Mail - Sent by Rail (approx. 0.4 miles away); "X" Marks the Spot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oakland County Boat Club (approx. half a mile away); The Great Escape (approx. half a mile away); Sylvan Lake Inn (approx. half a mile away); New Life for Children (approx. half a mile away); Remembering Historic Railways (approx. 0.6 miles away); "Body by Fisher" (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sylvan Lake.

Also see . . .
1. Daniel Whitfield School. A short history of the school on the City of Sylvan Lake's website. (Submitted on May 21, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

2. Called by the Peal of the Bell: Section 7, Daniel Whitfield School. Seven pages of history, pictures, and memories of the school on the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society's website. (Submitted on May 21, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Additional commentary.
1. Daniel

Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — upper left image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of David Walls

2. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — upper left image

Sylvan Lake's first school building, on property given by Daniel Whitfield in 1852.

Whitfield School location
The school was located approximately 0.2 miles northeast of the marker at 2000 Orchard Lake Road.

— Submitted May 21, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.

Photo courtesy of City of Sylvan Lake.

3. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker

The second school, which opened in 1894. This photo was taken before its demolition, with the third school building in the background.

Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — lower left images image. Click for full size.

Left: Photo courtesy of Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society. Right: Photo courtesy of Detroit

4. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — lower left images

Left: Architect Charles A. Fisher (above) and his brother William J. Fisher, a civil engineer, designed the third Daniel Whitfield School. Right: The municipal offices for Sylvan Lake were designed by the Fisher brothers in 1929. Pictured here is Sylvan Lake's City Hall with appointed officials in 1957.

Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — center image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of City of Sylvan Lake.

5. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — center image

The third school opened in 1927. More space was added in 1929 and again in the 1950s.

Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — bottom center image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of Oakland County.

6. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — bottom center image

The Fishers also designed the Rapid Truck Company factory in Pontiac, later the first home of General Motors Truck Company.

Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — upper right marker image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of Edith Whitfield Johns and Sally Bolle.

7. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — upper right marker

Daniel Whitfield was an assessor and by the mid-1800s became a prominent community leader in the Pontiac area. He provided the land for the first school that bore his name.

Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — middle right image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of Sharie Husted VanGilder.

8. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — middle right image

Mr. Husted was the first principal of the third Whitfield School and held this position until 1948.

Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — lower right image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society.

9. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker — lower right image

The Whitfield School's first grade class in 1946.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, May 15, 2021

10. Learning and Growing at the Daniel Whitfield School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on May 21, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.