1943 Map of Pontiac South

About this map

The glacial lake district of southern Oakland County is showcased here just as suburban expansion began to reshape the landscape. Centered on the sprawling waters of Cass Lake, Orchard Lake, and Pine Lake, the map documents a transition from a recreational lakefront community to a more permanent residential network. Prominent institutional landmarks include the St Marys College and Polish Seminary on Orchard Lake and the Protestant Childrens Home of Detroit, while the Grand Trunk Western RR cuts through the northern section, connecting Keego Harbor and Sylvan Village toward the industrial hub of Pontiac. To the south, the emergence of affluent residential developments is signaled by numerous recreational spaces, including the Oakland Hills Country Club and Bloomfield Hills Country Club. The presence of the Airway Beacon and several children's homes, like the Sarah Fisher Childrens Home, reflects the area's service as a regional institutional center in the early 1940s.