This is the last section in a series on Lake Orion’s history. It was written by Aurora Robinson, who was the daughter-in-law of John Neal, The Review’s founder.
We first published the history 1931 for the paper’s 50th anniversary, and then again in 1959 for Lake Orion’s centennial. We bring it to you now for the village’s sesquicentennial anniversary.
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Until 1915, the village had no water works. A system was put in then, a new well for more adequate fire protection being added in 1930.
The main street was paved with concrete in 1919 and Flint Street in 1926.
The Orion Pontiac Road became a trunk line and was graveled in 1916. However, the condition of the road became almost impassable in the winter and spring, and in 1929, it was cemented. The Indianwood and Adams Roads, east of town, were also laid that year.
Eastlawn Cemetery was purchased by the village in 1921. The Michigan Bell Telephone Co. bought out the local exchange in 1928. The Consumer’s Power Co. was granted a 30-year franchise in 1930 and gas was one of the final improvements added to the village.
A fine, new concrete bridge was constructed to Bellevue Island in 1929. The village also purchased a park on the lake shore, which they improved, making it one of which residents may well be proud.
Many other developments have taken place in the last few years. The Blair farm was converted into a high-class subdivision and the Indianwood Golf and Country Club commenced in 1924. The course became one of the finest courses in the country, the Western Open being held there in 1920. Another excellent course, just south of town, is the Bald Mountain Golf Club, constructed in 1928. In 1924, the J. Schick farm was sold to the Bunny-Run Country Club, and at the head of Long Lake, residents find another summer colony with many fine cottages, a club house and golf course of their own. The Lake Orion Country Club and subdivision is on the south shore of Lake Orion. Many cottages dot the shores of Square Lake.
In 1928, the name of the village was changed from Orion to Lake Orion.
A number of large estates were purchased by Detroiters in the vicinity, among them being W. E. Scripps, Arthur Buhl and Lawrence Buhl.
And so, from a wilderness has grown up a vast summer resort, an up-to-date town of about 1,400, with an estimated summer population of 5,000. Its excellent school, churches, library, hospital, with its modern improvements of water, electricity, gas, its paved roads, golf clubs, lake and nearness to Detroit, Pontiac and Flint, make it a very desirable place for a home.
The automobile brought about certain changes during these years. It has made residents closer to the cities, but the electric road, which played such a big factor in the growth of the resort town, and the boat service on the lake, were both discontinued.
What the future holds in store for Lake Orion, only time will tell.
The writer has tried to give a brief history of Lake Orion, as gleaned from the files of The Review, as they were carefully chronicled each week for half a century, the only authentic history of the town.
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We hope you enjoyed reading ‘Lake Orion in the making.? Keep an eye on The Review for events and more historic tidbits as the village celebrates its 150th.

This is the sixth section in a series on Lake Orion’s history. It was written by Aurora Robinson, who was the daughter-in-law of John Neal, The Review’s founder.
We first published the history 1931 for the paper’s 50th anniversary, and then again in 1959 for Lake Orion’s centennial. We bring it to you now for the village’s sesquicentennial anniversary.
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The village has grown with the resort, but more slowly. In 1901, the old M.C. depot burned and the present one (Note: the depot was located at M-24 and Flint Street) was erected. The same year, the M.E. Church was moved from the M.C. park site to its present location. In 1902, the Predmore building and all in that block, excepting the hotel and Griggs corner, were destroyed by fire. In 1905, Marine Postal Service was established, Lake Orion being the first town in the country to have this service.
The ice industry was an important factor in Lake Orion’s history. In 1906, Pittmans and Dean Co. erected their ice houses on Long Lake and in 1911, those in the center of town were built by Hacker and Mackrohdt Co., of Detroit. This industry furnished work during the dull winter months of many years. With the advent of artificial ice and mechanical refrigeration, this industry suffered a gradual decline and finally discontinued, the ice house being torn down within the last year.
Another big fire occurred in 1910 when the Commercial House, Henry Kessell’s store and Close’s Barber Shop, on the east side of the main street, burned.
The Recall Store occupied the site of the old hotel.
In 1912, the Detroit Edison Co. purchased the plant of Orion Light and Power Co. Up to that time, Orion was on a moonlight schedule, that is, the lights were turned off when the moon shone. The Edison Co. built their attractive substation in the east part of town in 1926 and their service was to the town was most satisfactory.
The first movie was brought to Lake Orion by J. Bartholomew, of Oxford, in 1913, the theatre being built by Albert Ostrom.
A new addition was built to the old school in 1915. This school was found to be inadequate for the number of pupils in 1927, when the present new school (Note: We believe this to be the Ehman, now Angel, Center) was constructed at the cost of $17,000.
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Keep reading next week for more Later History.

This is the fifth section in a series on Lake Orion’s history. It was written by Aurora Robinson, who was the daughter-in-law of John Neal, The Review’s founder.
We first published the history 1931 for the paper’s 50th anniversary, and then again in 1959 for Lake Orion’s centennial. We bring it to you now for the village’s sesquicentennial anniversary.
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Lake Orion’s Boom
In 1897, Rev. Squires, of Detroit, purchased Island Park (Note: we believe this to be the present day Park Island) for the purpose of converting it into a permanent assembly ground. Rev. Seth Reed had charge of the program and excellent speakers were brought from far and near.
The following year was the beginning of the greatest boom Lake Orion has ever had. The success of the previous year and the idea of a permanent place for religious conventions and Chautauquas so near the center of the greatest population appealed to the churches. Rev. J. T. Haller, Rev. John Sweet, John Winter, Dr. O. Lau and scores of others became interested.
The Assembly Resort Association was formed, which purchased Bellevue Island, constructed a road around the south shore to this island, the large auditorium seating 2,250 erected, a canal cut from the small lake on the island to the main lake, several naphtha launches purchased, docks built, and within a year, 100 cottages erected.
The finest speakers and best entertainments were brought to Lake Orion’s shores, bringing out great throngs, especially after the electric road was completed in 1900 by John Winter and Dr. O. Lau. When Emmon’s Mill burned in 1901, these gentlemen acquired the water power rights and put in a small lighting plant to furnish electric light for the assembly grounds. This company, the Orion Light and Power Co., supplied the village with lights, also. The double deck board, ‘Chautauqua?, later named ‘City of Orion?, was purchased in 1901. A summer school was part of the program. Bellevue Hotel was enlarged in 1902 and there were many other improvements. Lake Orion was now ‘The Chautauqua of Lower Michigan.?
But also, the undertaking proved too large, financially! In 1906, the Lake Orion Assembly Resort sold out to the Lake Orion Power and Improvement Association, which company went into the hands of the receiver in 1910. Although Lake Orion was not to be the great religious center dreamed of, the resort had been firmly established. No Bible conference was held that year, but other big meetings, picnics, etc., were carried on as usual. The cottagers were enjoying the lake, among the most enthusiastic bring W.L. Sweet, who wrote for The Review. Galilean services were held, Venetian Night and a boat club was formed, which built a clubhouse at the foot of Flint Street in 1914.
The Lake Orion Summer Homes Co., with John Winter as its head, purchased the bankrupt organization and in 1911, Park Island was inaugurated as an amusement center. The churches were given free use of the auditorium on Bellevue Island. This was purchased in 1913 by the present Assembly Resort and the next year a big Chautauqua was held. An excellent boat service was instituted. Bellevue Island had always been the home of religious meetings, and Park Island had the lighter amusements and picnics. Under Mr. Winter’s control, the lake continued to prosper and became one of the most popular resorts in the state. Every available subdivision had been opened and the shores were lined with cottages.
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Keep reading next week for Later History.

This is the fourth section in a series on Lake Orion’s history. It was written by Aurora Robinson, who was the daughter-in-law of John Neal, The Review’s founder.
We first published the history 1931 for the paper’s 50th anniversary, and then again in 1959 for Lake Orion’s centennial. We bring it to you now for the village’s sesquicentennial anniversary.
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In 1874, the greater part of the business district was reduced to ashes by fire. The entire block, with the exception of the Shurter house was burned. ‘Tis sad the F. and A.M. lost all their possessions by the goat. Among the buildings burned were the hotel, Cady’s, V. Brown’s harness shop and Plumley building.
This fire proved to be a blessing, for in the place of the tumbled-down hotel, Belle Bros. built their new building in 1881, and Stephen Seeley built the present Lake Orion Hotel the same year. It was then known as the Cataract House and later the Swift House. On the opening day, July 4, he took in $789 in cash.
A number of new enterprises were started about this time, among them being the Orion Review in 1881. W.E. French and Metcalf opened a meat market in 1884, J.T. Eddington began his jewelry business in 1885, a tile and brick works came into existence in 1884, for which a time employed 19 men, turning out 8,000 bricks daily. J.C. Predmore moved into a large double store. Many other changes took place, too numerous to mention. Wooden sidewalks were laid all over the village, and it kept the Village Fathers busy keeping them in repair. Gutters were laid in the business district and even a few crosswalks.
Through the efforts of the Orion Park Association, many excursions and picnics were held. Visitors were allowed free use of Island Park and special trains brought them out by the thousands. (Note: we believe Island Park to be the current Park Island.) There were big celebrations of the Fourth of July, Decoration Day and Barbecue Day, when even the governor would be present.
The Spiritualists were among those who camped on Island Park each year. Summer cottages were built, among the earliest being those of F.J. Simmons, George Darling, L.W. Mueller, W. Thayer, George Mead, A.P. Backus and C. Henri Leonard. Villagers took summer boarders and the hotels, Lake House, Emmons? House and Swift House were filled. A new steamer, ‘Orion?, was put on the lake.
With this impetus, the town grew.
Lake Orion was also the center of a farming community. Much stock and produce was shipped from Orion as can be seen from a clipping from The Review of 1887, showing the week’s produce market. For the week ending Oct 20, J.C. Predmore & Co. shipped 5,700 bushels of potatoes and 1,000 bushels of rutabagas. Fourteen cars were required.
In the same period, Ira Carpenter shipped 2,200 bushels of rutabagas. C.F. Beebe shipped 1,000 bushels of rutabagas and 500 bushels of potatoes from Orion and 1,450 bushels of potatoes from Cole.
In 1889, Dr. J. DeCou and Dr. Chas opened the Cancer Institute, erecting their building (presently the Arlington Hotel) which was an active institution for many years, finally moving to Detroit.
In 1891, the Orion Improvement Co., composed mostly of Detroiters, bought Spencer Island (now Bellevue) and built what is now half of the old hotel. Some lots were sold and cottages built.
In 1893, the old brick school house on the hill was built at the costs of $3,000. In 1894, Orion had another large fire which destroyed all the buildings south of Dr. C.L. Hathaway’s building, including the N.R. Smith blacksmith shop (Speaker’s corner).
The Orion State Bank was organized in 1896, moving into a new building (A.L. Griggs? corner) built by Dr. Monkman,. In 1897, the village began to replace the old wooden walks with cement, and by 1899 had built more than one and a half miles, a great feat for the small village.
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Keep reading next week for Lake Orion’s Boom

This is the third section in a series on Lake Orion’s history. It was written by Aurora Robinson, who was the daughter-in-law of John Neal, The Review’s founder.
We first published the history 1931 for the paper’s 50th anniversary, and then again in 1959 for Lake Orion’s centennial. We bring it to you now for the village’s sesquicentennial anniversary.

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A plank road was laid to Pontiac during these early days, on one side of the road, so that the loaded teams went over on the planks and returned on the dirt road.
Dogway, as it was known for many years, after its name had been changed to Orion, was a typical pioneer town of its day, no sidewalks, muddy streets, no lights, poorly built frame buildings in its business district. One writer says that the hotel on the site of the present Masonic Hall, was better adapted in every way for a hen roost. Any Tom, Dick or Harry who could scrape up enough money to buy a cow, would open a meat market. Lots of money passed over the counter while the cow lasted and then business went to the wall. The town was a stopping place for teamsters driving their lumber to Pontiac and Detroit. Saloons were plentiful.
Dogway was, at that time, as rough a town as it could be, and gambling and drunkenness held high carnival. It was no unusual occurrence for a lot of roughs to enter one of the saloons and drink until they were crazy, smashed glasses and bottles, carrying the bar into the street and the proprietor also.
But with the advent of the railroad in 1872, Dogway took rapid strides forward in business and morals as well. The travelers discovered the beauties of Lake Orion, and because of its nearness to Detroit and easy access by train, found it an ideal place for excursions. This set the citizens, who had never considered this an asset before, to thinking.
E. R. Emmons, who built the large mill on the site of the present Edison Co., in 1856, and owner of much Orion property, was instrumental in procurring a little steamer, christened ‘Little Dick? in honor of his son, to transport the visitors to and from the islands. The M. E. Church was also built in 1872.
During the year of 1874, C. K. Carpenter, L. L. Treat, John Lord, Hiram Andrews, Lewis B. Hemingway, Alonzo Predmore, Simeon Andrews, Isaac Kitchen, Robert Sims, C. F. Whitcomb, Isaiah Bradford and Ira Carpenter purchased what is now known as Park Island, constructing a bridge from the mainland to the island. Upon the island, they built a reception hall, a dance hall 100 feet long, with a square tower 80 feet high, from which an extensive view of the lake could be obtained, while in a natural amphitheatre west of the tower, a rostrum was erected with seats for several hundred. They also purchased the ‘Little Dick? and constructed a wharf opposite the island on the site later occupied by the dock.

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Keep reading next week for more Early History

This is the second section in a series on Lake Orion’s history. It was written by Aurora Robinson, who was the daughter-in-law of John Neal, The Review’s founder.
We first published the history 1931 for the paper’s 50th anniversary, and then again in 1959 for Lake Orion’s centennial. We bring it to you now for the village’s sesquicentennial anniversary.
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The birth of Lake Orion was the result of a flim-flam put over by James Stillson, a traveling auctioneer, on fellow Yankees in the East. Stillson, back in 1836, bought 40 acres of land on the site of the present village and divided it into lots. Then he prepared a highly colored and elaborate prospectus showing steamboats and wharves on the lake; stores, roads and buildings and a busy community life. The prospectus he circulated about the East, where he sold lots at exorbitant prices. Then he came to Detroit where he peddled the remainder at six cents each. Canadaigua City was the name he bestowed upon his mythical metropolis, and the lake was called Lake Canadaigue. The eastern parties finding their lots covered with marsh and brush, departed in disgust.
Despite its unfortunate beginning, Orion nevertheless was settled by pioneers from the East shortly afterwards. The first frame house built in Orion was located in the north part of the village and was used for hotel purposes. A little later, the Orion House was built not far from the dam.
Robert Jarvis and Paul Rice opened the first store in the village. In 1838, Jarvis was postmaster of Canadaigua, the name of the post office being changed to Orion in 1854 and semi-weekly mail supplied.
In 1842, Simeon Andrews opened a store. Dr. Smead was the first physician, locating here in 1837. L.L. Treat was the first lawyer. John Saunders, Jacob H. Brown and N.B. Miller opened blacksmith shops from 1838 to 1848.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1844 and is still standing, being the home of Mrs. L. Holder. The Orion Masonic Lodge was organized in 1851. The Congregational Church was built in 1854.
In 1859, Orion was incorporated into a village, its charter being repealed in 1863, it being nearly all destroyed by fire in 1862. Recovering from this blow, it was again chartered in 1869.
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Keep reading next week for Early History