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Lake Orion (pronounced OR-ee-un) is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,715 at the 2000 census. "Lake Orion" is often used to describe both the village and the much larger Orion Township,[citation needed] of which the village is a part.
The village and township are home to Lake Orion High School, Bald Mountain State Park, Indianwood Golf and Country Club, Canterbury Village, the Scripps Mansion, and a General Motors manufacturing plant.
Lake Orion originated as a resort town and over time has incorporated elements of a bedroom community. In 2006, Lake Orion was ranked by US News as the fourth best vacation destination in the country.
History
The township of Orion was approved by the Michigan Territory in 1835, the same year it applied for statehood. Jesse Decker became the first Supervisor of Orion, with a salary of $2.00 a year. Another settlement nearby, New Canadaigua, was absorbed by Orion. This land later helped Orion to establish its first public school in 1859. Orion, already well-established, was platted and chartered, also in 1859. In 1862, a fire ravaged Orion, destroying everything. Despite this, the town was rebuilt. The railroad that was built in Orion paved the way to mass development in 1872. The great resort era soon followed after another incredible recovery from a fire in 1874. Orion became well known when lumberjacks bringing lumber to Detroit would bunk there, and when Lapeer Road, a highway running through Orion, was paved in 1929, permanent residents moved in.
Lore
The story of the Lake Orion Dragon says that sometime in the 1800's a group of local kids played a prank by building a fake dragon and launching it out in the lake. A number of people saw it and soon Lake Orion was known for it's dragon. There are a number of stories around about who made it and how they built it but it's widely agreed that it was a prank.
"That same year [1894] the Lake Orion “dragon” made its entrance into Orion history. First seen by two ladies near the present Robert’s Rondevoo cove, the animal grew inlength as the story grew in listeners. What had started out as an average-sized lakemonster was claimed by some to be at least eighty feet long. Detroit and othernewspapers joshingly suggested, upon hearing of the behemoth, that Orion residentsshould “drink more well water in the future.”"[3]
Education
Lake Orion is served by the Lake Orion Community Schools school district.
Public schools
Local sports
Lake Orion High School is home to a vast array of award-winning athletic and academic teams. Ranging from high school state champions in wrestling in 1990, baseball, and girls golf both in 2007. Also robotics, forensics, and even the School Band have also been state champions. The Powerlifting team is the only team in school history to have consecutive and multiple state championships in 2008 and 2009. The Lake Orion Dragon Varsity Football team made school history by being the first team in school history to make it to the State Final Game at Ford Field in 2008. They, along the way, broke the school records for most wins in a season(12), longest winning streak (12), most points scored in a season and many more. The school hosts dozens of teams and clubs that accomplish many things and often help around the town. Lake Orion High School's Marching band is among the top ten best marching bands in the state of Michigan.[citation needed]
The village, along with the township, offer a wide variety of activities and athletics for children as well as adults. Lake Orion offers several junior sports for the community such as LOYBL (Lake Orion Youth Baseball League) and LOGSL (Lake Orion Girls Softball League), as well as the Orion-Oxford Youth Soccer League. Many events are located at the various parks and schools located within the area.
The high school offers excellent facilities, such as a football field and soccer-specific field, both with FieldTurf, several baseball and softball diamonds, and a large natatorium. The top of the line gymnasium has served as the location for many regional and state championship contests, as well as AAU and Special Olympics events. The "Dragon" is the mascot for all public schools within the district.
The Detroit Pistons play home games nearby at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Demographics
The demographics below are for the village only, refer to Orion Township for the demographics of the entire township.
In the village the population was spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $51,311, and the median income for a family was $71,250. Males had a median income of $51,012 versus $37,802 for females. The per capita income for the village was $28,671. About 1.5% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.
Notable past and current residents
- William Broomfield, former politician
- Pat Caputo, sportswriter, radio personality
- Rolla C. Carpenter, engineer, academic, writer
- Dave Collins, coach, former professional baseball player
- Matthew Dear, musician
- Andrew J. Feustel, NASA astronaut
- Tom Gillis, professional golfer
- Frederick Henderson, CEO of General Motors
- Jimmy Hoffa, Union President
- Zak Keasey, professional football player
- Mickey Lolich, professional baseball player and donut shop owner
- James Marcinkowski, politician, attorney, former CIA case officer
- Jamie Milam, professional hockey player
- Troy Milam, professional hockey player
- Raymond Plouhar, staff sergeant, USMC
- William Edmund Scripps, newspaper magnate
- Rich Strenger, lawyer, former professional football player
- Ron Tripp, World Sambo and Judo Champion; President of USA Judo
- Cynthia Watros, actress
- Mickey York, sports reporter
References
External links
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