Sylvan Lake to celebrate 100th birthday
Sylvan Lake to celebrate 100th birthday on Aug. 26
On a hot August day, shade is found near the Ferndale Beach in Sylvan Lake. (Photo by Paula Pasche)
By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press
August 23, 2021 at 6:16 a.m.
On Thursday, Aug. 26, the city of Sylvan Lake will celebrate its 100th birthday with a full schedule of events starting at 4 p.m., indoors and outdoors at the community center.
Years ago Sylvan Lake was home to a summer hotel and a camp for children. Through the years the city has evolved with the signature point always the lake itself.
The adopted slogan became "The Prettiest Little City in Michigan."
"As we developed people to work on committees, we started deciding what sort of the evening's activities would be. It was pretty clear to us, this will be a hybrid of ages. Probably a lot of seniors which we're really hoping for and kids and everything in-between,'' said Midge Davidson, one of the volunteer organizers along with Kelli Krause, Helen Jane Peters.
(Left to right) Helen Jane Peters, Sylvan Lake historian; Midge Davidson volunteer lead; Kelli Krause volunteer lead; Dennise Dryden, City Clerk; and John Martin, City Manager. (Photo contributed)
A history book is in the works. A sneak peak at the book will be included in the festivities.
Sylvan Lake's history dates back to 1818 when an expedition led by the Rev. John Montieth rode into the area to see what lay between Detroit and the newly established post of Pontiac. The expedition discovered a chain of lakes. The lake, which lay closest to Pontiac, was surrounded by a fringe of tamaracks and was considered by the group to be the most beautiful. The explorers named this body of water Timber Lake, afterwards changed to Sylvan Lake.
In the early 1900s. s summer hotel was built in Sylvan, attracting visitors and future residents. Cottages and a few permanent homes began to appear on the shores of the lake.
By 1921, the community had grown sufficiently to be incorporated as a village. In 1947 it officially became a city.
Historian Brian Golden, who wrote the Interurban Detroit Railway, will kick off the birthday event with a speech at 4 p.m., along with city historian Helen Jane Peters.
"I guess it's fascinating the way he tells it. I've heard he puts you there like you're in the train,'' Davidson said. "The Interurban was the railway that brought privileged people from the city of Detroit out to all the lakes and they lived in our cottages for the summer.''
After that speech, food trucks will be on hand. And activities for children will be available. Also leading up to the event, Sylvan Lake kids have created artwork that will be on display in the Community Center.
John Martin, who grew up in Sylvan Lake and has worked there for 37 years, will give the keynote speech — "Celebrating Sylvan Lake: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" at 6 p.m. He will pay homage to former mayors and other Sylvan Lake notables.
(Photo by Paula Pasche)
The event will end with a concert by the Motor City Brass Band of which Martin is a member.
The tagline is 100 years and Still Glowing. "So the memorabilia that we're going to sell to recover some of the costs includes T-shirts, hats and mugs that glow in the dark,'' Davidson said.
At the old age of 100, Sylvan Lake shows no wrinkles or blemishes. It remains a thriving community of nearly 2,000 residents located near the heart of Oakland County.
"I personally think having a small city kind of lends itself to being a true community. If you live in a larger area it's much harder to be woven together as neighbors,'' Davidson said. "And we're a walking community. no matter where you go you're going to run into people. I think the community center has been a beautiful part of our legacy. And, of course, the beaches.''
Paula Pasche | Multimedia Journalist
Paula Pasche has worked in a variety of positions, including 32 years as a sports writer, since she joined The Oakland Press. She now covers COVID-related issues and northern Oakland County.
Follow Paula Pasche @paulapasche