Whitmore Lake is located between Ann Arbor and Brighton, just off of highway US-23. Although this area is not officially a municipality, but rather part of Northfield Township, residents feel a strong sense of community. The school district, post office, and Chamber of Commerce all bear the name of Whitmore Lake. The centerpiece of this community is the lake itself, a 750-acre all-sports lake that offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation such as boating, fishing, ice hockey, and more. Community events like the annual Independence Day Celebration draw visitors from all over southeastern Michigan. Whitmore Lake has grown from a rural vacation getaway to a year-round thriving community with a caring, small-town atmosphere.
Native Americans, mainly from the Potawatomi tribe, were the first known inhabitants of the area that would become Northfield Township and Whitmore Lake. At least two burial grounds, with arrowheads over 4,000 years old, have been found in the Township. When European settlers first began to arrive in the area, they coexisted peacefully with the Native Americans, trading and occasionally hunting together. However, government policy and a tide of settlers coming into the area changed that.
In the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819, the United States government negotiated with prominent Native American chiefs, resulting in the U.S. government taking possession of most of the land in lower Michigan. In the 1820s and 1830s, early pioneers began to purchase the land that would eventually become Whitmore Lake and the surrounding areas.
An early timeline, up to the 2020s, traces some of the major developments of Whitmore Lake that forged the thriving area it has become today.
1820s
In 1825, Jonathan Stratton, a land surveyor, named a 667 acre parcel of land after local landowner Luke Whitmore. Although the area was first called Northfield, it would become Whitmore Lake.
In 1829, Luke Whitmore was the Washtenaw County Treasurer.
1830s
In 1831, the first Catholic Church in Washtenaw County was built with logs on Whitmore Lake Road.
In 1834, George W. Dexter was the area’s first postmaster.
1850s
In 1851, John Rane established a general store on Main Street. He ran this store until 1863.
In 1854, the area’s name was changed from Northfield to Whitmore Lake.
1860s
In 1868, the Whitmore Lake Methodist Church was completed. The church was built on land donated by Joseph Pray and Louis Buchoz.
1880s
In 1886, the Jackson branch of the Grand Trunk Railroad had a stop at the northern edge of Whitmore Lake. Visitors from Jackson, Detroit, and Pontiac would disembark here for a day or a week at Whitmore Lake.
1890s
In 1895, Henry and Marie Weber purchased a 220 acre farm that was later owned by their son, Freeman “Dutch” Weber.
In 1896, James M. Ashley constructed a new line of the Toledo & Ann Arbor Railroad, between Ann Arbor and Leland, passing through Whitmore Lake.
1900s
In 1903, Frank Lemen and Henry Dodge built an ice house on the northwest end of Whitmore Lake. The ice house measured approximately 200x 300 feet and could store hundreds of tons of ice, which would then be shipped on the Grand Trunk railroad.
The Ann Arbor railroad operated at least two ice houses on Whitmore Lake during the early 1900s. In 1906, the Dodge family purchased a home in Whitmore Lake. Henry Phelps Dodge, a merchant and a postmaster, was a well-known member of the community.
In 1906, a brick Whitmore Lake school was constructed, replacing an earlier frame building. The building originally consisted of three rooms.
1910s
In 1911, the Ann Arbor Railroad depot burned down. A boxcar was used as a depot after the fire.
1930s
In 1939, Freeman “Dutch” Weber became the Northfield Township Supervisor. He would be the township’s longest serving supervisor, remaining in this position until 1964.
In 1939, the Whitmore Lake School added 2 classrooms.
1940s
In 1940, there were approximately 230 cottages, one hotel, two resorts, and eight boat liveries on Whitmore Lake. In addition there were many permanent homes in the village of Whitmore Lake.
In the 1940s, the Dodge family left their home, known as the Dodge House, and the building changed ownership several times. Eventually Northfield Township took ownership of the building.
In 1942, a fire destroyed the Stevens Hotel at a loss of about $15,000.
In 1943, the 5 room Whitmore Lake School was destroyed by a fire that started in the basement furnace room. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
In 1944, Whitmore Lake Elementary School and Whitmore Lake Middle School were established under Whitmore Lake Public Schools. Whitmore Lake High School was then built, and saw its first graduating class walk shortly after 1950.
In 1946, the Kiwanis Club of Whitmore Lake was established. Their mission, according to their website, is to “instill leadership into children and to engage our community to build a brighter future.”
1950s
In 1959, the first annual July 4th fireworks display was held at Whitmore Lake. This event continues today, and has grown to include a parade, a 5k/10k running race, and other family-friendly events. The 4th of July celebration draws thousands of people to the Whitmore Lake area.
1950s
In 1959, the first annual July 4th fireworks display was held at Whitmore Lake. This event continues today, and has grown to include a parade, a 5k/10k running race, and other family-friendly events. The 4th of July celebration draws thousands of people to the Whitmore Lake area.
1960s
In 1967, Jimmie Kales opened the Pier 23 restaurant in Whitmore Lake.
In July of 1968, a tornado ripped through the Whitmore Lake area, uprooting trees and damaging property.
1970s
In 1978, Rolling Meadows Golf Course opened, established by Tony Fielek and two brothers.
1980s
In 1987, a millage passed allowing for a new library to be built. The Dodge House would be the home of the Northfield Township Area Library.
In 1989, the Northfield Township Area Library opened with about 8,500 books and about 650 registered patrons. Since then the collection has nearly tripled and there are over 6,000 registered patrons.
1990s
In 1992, the owners of Zukey Lake Tavern in Pinckney purchased Kales ‘Pier 23’ and named it the Whitmore Lake Tavern.
2000s
In 2007, the Whitmore Lake Harvest Festival was established. This is an annual two-day event that occurs at the end of September.
In 2008, the Whitmore Lake Pond Hockey Classic originated. This annual adult pond hockey tournament raises funds for families and schools to support youth participation in athletics.
2010s
In 2015, the Lanni family purchased Rolling Meadows Golf Course from the Fielek family. They plan on continuing the relaxed, country feel that people have enjoyed on this golf course for many years.
2020s
In 2020, many area businesses and schools were temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Whitmore Lake Today
Residents of Whitmore Lake enjoy a high quality of life that combines the best of lake living with a small town atmosphere. The close proximity to Ann Arbor and Brighton makes it convenient for commuters to get to work and then return home to a peaceful, beautiful setting. With recreational opportunities and a strong sense of community, it is easy to see why people choose to settle in Whitmore Lake.
Sources:
http://www.ntal.org/our-history.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitmore_Lake,_Michigan
https://www.museumeta.com/US/Whitmore-Lake/103679811670981/Whitmore-Lake-and-Northfield-Township-History#gsc.tab=0
https://www.wlps.net/history/
https://aadl.org/aa_news_19310321_p1-albert_stevens_is_taken_by_death
https://davetgc.com/Ann_Arbor_Tragedies.html
https://www.facebook.com/Whitmore-Lake-and-Northfield-TownshipHistory-103679811670981/
https://www.brightoncoc.org/wl-chamber
https://aadl.org/N082_0006_007
https://www.rmgolfcourse.com/aboutus/history/
https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/ifr/ifrlibra/Status/waterbody/93-9.htm#:~:text=Whitmore%20Lake%20has%20a%20long,the%20Village%20of%20Whitmore%20Lake.
https://www.whitmorelaketavern.com/
http://www.michiganrailroads.com/stations-locations/145-washtenawcounty-81/2114-whitmore-lake-mi-washtenaw-county