| 1867 |
A November 20 article in the Pontiac Gazette announced a company organized
under the title “The Orchard Lake Co” was to build a first class hotel,
L-shaped, to be made of wood. Four stories high with double verandas, 12 feet
wide, running the length of the lake frontage. The building was expected to be
completed in June 1868 at a cost of $25,000. The final structure had two stories
and no verandas and appears to have been completed in 1869. The first proprietor
was Mr. Henry Smith. |
| 1872 |
The Oakland Atlas advertises the owner of the hotel now being Mr. Harvey
Weston. |
| 1873 |
Sold to Seymour Smith who opened the hotel year round. After a short time,
Smith sold it to Robert Brown, Esq., who leased the hotel to Matt M. Duffy for a
period of five years. Duffy managed it for two years when it was sold to George
Hicks who owned it for one year before selling it. |
| 1877 |
Purchased by W.H. Moody |
| 1879 |
The Pontiac Gazette tells of another change in ownership to A. Gadway. |
| 1884 |
Gadway made further improvements to his O.L. property which increased the
popularity of the hotel immensely. He built a roller skating rink and a hall for
dancing, just south of the hotel. He cleaned out the grove, put in new seats and
swings, and had a nice picnic area where he sold large amounts of beer. Gus
Gadway was found guilty of keeping his bar open on July 4, 1886 and ordered by
justice Webster to pay a $50 fine rather than board with Sheriff Voorheis for 90
days. Col. Sumner Rogers of the Michigan Military Academy was continually asking
Gus to stop the ruination of his students by allowing them to imbibe in spirits.
|
| 1888 |
Gadway disposed of his property to George H. Seeley. Seeley built on a new
40’ x 80’ two story addition and thoroughly repaired the old part. The new
addition had 30 large rooms for summer occupancy. He put a new dance floor in
the hall and word had it that there was no finer spot on earth to pass away the
time than at the Orchard Lake Hotel. Seeley installed J.H. Harger as landlord. |
| 1889 |
Jim Harger and his wife left after one year for the hot spot of Rochester.
Proprietor Seeley opened the 1889 season with full meals and supported a new
steam ship to help entertain guests. He remained until 1895 assisted by manager
Charles Wakeman. |
| 1895 |
Plans were announced for a new hotel to replace the old O.L. Hotel. At this
time, A.C. Newman owned the hotel and announced a clearing out auction sale of
the hotel. Nothing came of the plans. M.J. Moeren then became the hotel manager
and landlord for the next ten years. This was the beginning of the Interurban
period. |
| 1915 |
Later owners were Harry Larr, the Auto Club of Detroit and finally E.C.
Woodward. After Pine Lake’s Interlaken Hotel burned in 1915, the O.L. Hotel was
one of the few buildings in West Bloomfield able to accommodate large group
meetings. |
| 1920 |
During the early 1920’s, the hotel was a substantial part of the O.L.
Amusement Park providing entertainment to merry makers from surrounding
communities. |
| 1929 |
Orchard Lake Village purchased the hotel and property to serve as
headquarters for the Justices of the Peace for the Township and communication
center for the police staff. It was purchased from Mrs. Sarah A Woodward. |
| 1939 |
The hotel structure was dismantled and a Village Hall was rebuilt on the
original two foot thick, fieldstone “Michigan Basement” foundation using the
lumber salvaged from the original hotel building. This smaller structure
continued to serve as the City Hall after after the Village of Orchard Lake
voted to become a City in 1964. |
| 1987 |
A new city hall and police headquarters was constructed just south of this
small City Hall. In 1974, the building was made into the Orchard Lake Museum
though the newly formed Orchard Lake Scenic and Historical Society to preserve
and display materials reflecting our historical development and background. |
| 1978 |
The name was changed to the Greater West Bloomfield
Historical Society representing the Cities of Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake and
Keego Harbor, along with the entire Township of West Bloomfield. The Museum
is open to the public every second Sunday of the month, from 1-4pm.
Admission to the museum is free, though donations to preserve and further
our mission are always welcome. |