Lake Orion in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A Moment in Time c.1911
Downtown Lake Orion
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 12, 2025
1. A Moment in Time c.1911 Marker
The basic "bones" of many of the buildings on South Broadway have existed for over 100 years. In 1881 the Cataract Hotel was built here by Stephen Seeley. Through the years it subsequently became known as the Swift House, Hotel Taylor then the Park Hotel. An ad in the 1884 Orion Review noted the Swift House's location overlooking "the beautiful lake" near the Detroit and Bay City Railroad Depot as well as its "excellent stabling for horses". In the 1970s the building was known as the Ver-Wood Bar and Hotel prior to being known as the Verwood apartments.
In 1902 a fire destroyed all of the buildings on the west side of Broadway between Front and Flint street, except the Verwood building. The buildings had been of wood construction but following the fire they were rebuilt with the masonry construction we see today.
Life in 1911
An ice house (to store blocks of ice for refrigeration) was built in this ... of town by [text too blurry to read]
John Winter bought the island and developed it, along with his ... park, as a summer resort. He added amusements to the island.
Erected 2022 by Lake Orion Downtown Development
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location. 42° 47.04′ N, 83° 14.393′ W. Marker is in Lake Orion, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is at the intersection of South Broadway Street and Front Street, on the right when traveling south on South Broadway Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 54 South Broadway Street, Lake Orion MI 48362, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Moment in Time c.1915 (within shouting distance of this marker); A Moment in Time c.1930s (within shouting distance of this marker); A Moment in Time c.1939 (about 400 feet away, measured in a
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 12, 2025
2. A Moment in Time c.1911 Marker
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 12, 2025
3. A Moment in Time c.1911 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clearer picture of the marker and missing text. • Can you help?
