Oakland Township-Lake Orion: Charming Towns Steeped In MI History

The Oakland Township-Lake Orion area is a place like no other. And whether you grew up here, recently moved to the area or you’re just an occasional visitor, you know that Oakland Township-Lake Orion has its own special traditions and history that make it so unique.

A few things to know:

• Oakland Township is one of Michigan’s oldest townships. It was among the original 25 established when the Territory of Michigan was organized in 1827, but early settlers began developing parcels of land as early as 1819.
• A man named Jesse Decker and his wife were the first settlers of modern Lake Orion, arriving in 1825 from Canandaigua, New York. They built a settlement with the help of local Native Americans and other settlers and named their town after their New York hometown. In 1835, the community's name was changed from Canandaigua to Orion, and nearly 100 years later in 1929, it was renamed Lake Orion.
• The Oakland area is home to several natural attractions, including the Addison Oaks County Park, Bald Mountain Recreation Area and Stony Creek Metropark. While the parks vary in size, they all offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy themselves through fishing, trails, picnic areas and more.
• Yates Cider Mill in Lake Orion is the oldest cider mill in the state. It was first opened in 1863 and has been owned by the Yates family for six generations.
• The Paint Creek Trail, a 8.9-mile rail-trail that runs through Oakland Township, is popular among hikers, bikers and joggers and offers scenic views of Paint Creek and the surrounding woods. It was Michigan’s first rails-to-trails project and has been open since 1983.
• Oakland Township is located in the heart of Michigan's "orchard country," with numerous apple orchards and fruit farms scattered throughout the area. The township's rural landscape and fertile soil make it an ideal location for farming, and its numerous orchards and fruit stands are popular destinations for fall festivities and fresh produce.
• Lake Orion’s Dragon on the Lake is an annual event held in the town, featuring dragon boat races and cultural activities. Inspired by the legend of the dragon spotted on Lake Orion in the 1800s, the festival draws thousands of visitors each year and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities and causes.
• Blacksmith shops were a big business in the early days of Oakland Township. Multiple craftsman, including Gerilot's on West Predmore; Dernberger's (later Campbell's) at Rochester and Romeo Roads, Metz's at Dequindre and Inwood; "Uncle H" Halsted's on Silverbell and the Maurice Collin's at Goodison, had been well-established within the township’s first 50 years.
• Lake Orion is home to the Scripps Estate, the historic home of WWJ talk radio and Detroit News’ William E. Scripps. The mansion, which was built in 1926, is now a private residence and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
• Oakland Township was one of the last remaining dry townships in Michigan, prohibiting the sale of alcohol within its borders until 2015. The township's ban on alcohol sales had been in place since the end of Prohibition in 1933 and was lifted following a vote by residents in 2014.
• Lake Orion has a vibrant downtown area that is home to numerous restaurants, shops and businesses. The area is known for its small-town charm and hosts many events throughout the year, including the annual Flower and Art Fair and the Trick-or-Treat and Halloween Fest.
• The town is also home to the Lake Orion United Methodist Church, a historic house of worship that was built in 1872. The church is one of the oldest buildings in the town and was designated as a Michigan Historical Site in 1973.

What's your favorite thing about Oakland Township-Lake Orion? Let us know below in the comments!

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