Independence Township in Village of Clarkston in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Changes in the Land
A History of Independence Township
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 30, 2026
1. Changes in the Land Marker
The landscape has created history in Independence Township. For thousands of years, native tribal peoples lived here, hunting and fishing among the dense forests and lakes. After the township was formed in 1817, settlers first cleared the forest for farm fields in the flattest portion of the township, the Sashabaw Plains, to the southeast. In the western part of the township, where the Clinton River spills through sparkling lakes, mills were built using water power to cut lumber and grind grain. When the railroad was built through the area in the 1850s, the first tourists were drawn to the lakes, woodlands and clean air here. The landscape continues to be a valuable part of life in Independence Township.
Pine Knob is the highest site in Southeast Michigan, at its 1,150-foot elevation.
Erected by Independence Township.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.
Location. 42° 44.004′ N, 83° 23.036′ W. Marker is in Village of Clarkston, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is in Independence Township. It is at
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest. 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Independence Township Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Sashabaw Cemetery (approx. 1˝ miles away); Sashabaw United Presbyterian Church (approx. 1˝ miles away); Becoming Clarkston (approx. 1.8 miles away); Building Clarkston History (approx. 1.8 miles away); Dr. Charles Gray Robertson (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Nelson Clark Home (approx. 1.8 miles away); Getting Here (approx. 2.3 miles away).
Also see . . . Independence Township.
Independence Township(Submitted on September 1, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)is a charter township of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 36,686 at the 2020 census.Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 30, 20262. Changes in the Land Marker
Independence Township was first organized in 1834. The township surrounds the city of Clarkston, but the two are administered autonomously after Clarkston incorporated as a city in 1992. The township is home to the Pine Knob Music Theatre and the Pine Knob Ski Resort.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 30, 2026
3. Changes in the Land Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
