Pontiac in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Courthouse / Oakland County
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021
1. The Courthouse / Oakland County Marker
Side 1
Inscription.
The Courthouse, also, Oakland County. .
The Courthouse. The first Oakland County courthouse, built about 1824, was located on the corner of Saginaw and Huron Streets on land given by the Pontiac Company. The log first story housed the jail, while the frame second story was occupied by the courtroom and sheriff’s residence. Following several attempts to remove the county seat from Pontiac, a new courthouse was opened on the same site in 1858. This was replaced in 1905 by a three-story building of gray Cleveland sandstone. By the 1950s, population pressure and demand for increased services forced new construction. A more expansive site near the city’s western limits, on which some county buildings were already located, was enlarged for the Oakland County Service Center. Ground for the present courthouse was broken on September 21, 1959.
Oakland County. A proclamation of Territorial Governor Lewis Cass organized Oakland County and designated Pontiac as the county seat on March 28, 1820, although the boundaries had been established on January 12, 1819. At that time this area was a wilderness, with the Indian trail from Detroit to Saginaw the main artery of settlement. Farming was the chief occupation in early times, and by mid-century the county led the state in agricultural production. The numerous lakes were a major attraction to settlers and vacationers, and today Oakland County has many public parks which serve urbanized southeastern Michigan. Once the home of the Michigan Military Academy, the county now has a number of outstanding educational facilities. Automobile manufacture has long been important here and remains the major industry.
The Courthouse
The first Oakland County courthouse, built about 1824, was located on the corner of Saginaw and Huron Streets on land given by the Pontiac Company. The log first story housed the jail, while the frame second story was occupied by the courtroom and sheriff’s residence. Following several attempts to remove the county seat from Pontiac, a new courthouse was opened on the same site in 1858. This was replaced in 1905 by a three-story building of gray Cleveland sandstone. By the 1950s, population pressure and demand for increased services forced new construction. A more expansive site near the city’s western limits, on which some county buildings were already located, was enlarged for the Oakland County Service Center. Ground for the present courthouse was broken on September 21, 1959.
Oakland County
A proclamation of Territorial Governor Lewis Cass organized Oakland County and designated Pontiac as the county seat on March 28, 1820, although the boundaries had been established on January 12, 1819. At that time this area was a wilderness, with the Indian trail from Detroit to Saginaw the main artery of settlement. Farming was the chief occupation in early times, and by mid-century the county led the state in agricultural production. The numerous lakes were a major attraction
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to settlers and vacationers, and today Oakland County has many public parks which serve urbanized southeastern Michigan. Once the home of the Michigan Military Academy, the county now has a number of outstanding educational facilities. Automobile manufacture has long been important here and remains the major industry.
Erected 1970 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S0274.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 20, 1820.
Location. 42° 39.322′ N, 83° 19.602′ W. Marker is in Pontiac, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker is on Court Tower Boulevard, 0.1 miles west of County Center Drive East, on the right when traveling west. Marker is near the south entrance of the Oakland County Circuit Court. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Telegraph Rd, Pontiac MI 48340, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
