Orchard Lake in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Conglomerate Boulder
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021
1. Conglomerate Boulder Marker
This rare 4,400 lb. conglomerate boulder is made of irregular-sized jasper pebbles cemented together over millions of years by a finer mix of quartz sand. Often called "puddingstones" (because the stones resemble a British Christmas pudding), Michigan puddingstones are a sedimentary rock first formed in riverbeds a billion years ago in northeastern Canada. During the Ice Age, glaciers pushed sedimentary rocks from northern Ontario to eastern Michigan. Because of its jasper pebbles, this boulder's origin can be traced to a Canadian mountain outcrop north of the St. Mary's River and Sault Ste. Marie.In the 1970s, Jim Laarman, former GWBHS President, found this boulder a a gravel pit south of Milford. "When I found it to be a puddingstone I thought it would be a great landmark, paying tribute to the power of the glacier that formed many of West Bloomfield's inland lakes and islands, including Apple Island, whose surface form even tells the direction of the final glacier that sculpted out Orchard Lake."
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment.
Location. 42° 34.973′ N, 83° 21.565′ W. Marker is in Orchard Lake, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker is at the intersection of West Long Lake Road and Orchard Lake Road, on the right when traveling east on West Long Lake Road. Marker is at the entrance to the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3951 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield MI 48323, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Apple Island (here, next to this marker); Green School Bell (a few steps from this marker); Drawn by Water (a few steps from this marker); Waiting for the Trolleys (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Orchard Lake Museum (about 500 feet away); Chief Pontiac (approx. 0.2 miles 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 J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021
2. Conglomerate Boulder Marker
Boulder in front of Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society
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 200 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
