Pine Lake, whether in Sammamish, Washington, or West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, has a rich history as a recreational and residential haven. This article explores the history and key features of Pine Lake Marina and Pine Lake Resort, highlighting their significance as community hubs and destinations for leisure.
Aerial view of Pine Lake in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan.
Pine Lake in Sammamish: From Resort to Park
During the early 20th century, Pine Lake in Sammamish was a popular attraction for the area's early settlers. Located about 20 miles east of downtown Seattle, the lake remained largely rural until the 1970s. Between the 1910s and 1960s, the eastern shore of Pine Lake was home to a small resort.
Early Days of Pine Lake Resort
Around 1917, an entrepreneur, whose name has been lost to history, recognized the lake's potential and constructed five small cabins on the lake. In 1932, Marion Reiff French bought the 18-acre resort. He named the resort “French’s La Pine Resort,” but practically everyone else called it “Pine Lake Resort.”
Unfortunately, French bought the resort during the Great Depression, which initially limited expansion. Another challenge was the limited supply of "good" drinking water, despite the abundance of lake water. In 1932, there were four deep well pumps on the site, but French added two more.
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Growth and Amenities
The resort's fortunes began to improve later in the 1930s as the Depression eased and roads to the Plateau were improved, making the resort more accessible. Eventually, French built a total of 15 cabins, plus his own, under the tall Douglas fir trees. Most of the cabins were along the north side of the road leading into Pine Lake Park, starting roughly where the tennis courts were located. There were three cabins on the eastern shore of the lake itself.
To cater to families, French added several amenities. He built a small grocery store that sold canned goods, bread, milk, candy, fishing supplies, and even Rainier beer. The grocery store was located where the restrooms are today, facing south along the road. French’s home was built adjacent to the store and connected to it. A patio at the east end of the house served as an informal spot where cars stopped to pay their fees.
French also built a dance hall for the resort, located about 200 feet back from the lakeshore near the park's southern boundary. He added a nickelodeon (jukebox), where songs cost a nickel per tune. Along the shoreline, French built a dressing room and public restrooms. He also constructed three docks that were more elaborate than the current dock at Pine Lake Park. These parallel docks were squared off with a fourth dock, creating two swimming areas between the shore and the outermost dock. One of the docks featured a “high tower,” a sun deck built about 10 feet above the dock.
By the late 1940s, the resort was thriving. The resort typically opened in April for fishing season and closed after Labor Day. Admission cost a quarter per person for the day to swim, rent a boat, or picnic. Camping was a dollar per night, and cabin rentals ranged from $22.50 to $50 per week.
Later Years and Transformation
In 1957, Alvin “Mick” Macko, French’s son-in-law, began leasing and operating the resort. By the late 1950s, the resort was so popular that on busy weekends, it might have had as many as 4,000 guests, according to Macko. Opening day of fishing season was a major event. Pine Lake Resort was also a preferred site for company picnics, with events like “penny hunts” for kids.
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One of French’s enduring legacies began in 1962 when he donated a 30-foot-wide easement to the Game Department (now the Department of Fish and Wildlife) to stock rainbow trout in the lake.
Business remained strong until King County began buying area resorts like Pine Lake in the mid-1960s and converting them into parks. The resort’s last year was in either 1966 or 1967. The County bought the resort and had Macko tear down the old cabins, dance hall, and grocery store.
Pine Lake in West Bloomfield Township: An Exclusive Lakeside Community
Pine Lake, located in West Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, is a private, all-sports lake spanning 395 acres. Known for its exclusive homes and natural beauty, this glacial kettle lake offers a luxurious and serene lakeside experience.
Pine Lake in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan.
Key Features
Pine Lake is approximately 94 feet deep at its deepest point, making it one of the deepest lakes in the region. Its unique topography is a result of glacial activity from the last Ice Age, particularly the Wisconsin Glacier.
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Community and Lifestyle
The Pine Lake shoreline is adorned with high-end, exclusive homes. The community is managed by the Pine Lake Property Owners Association (PLPOA), which ensures the lake's pristine condition and high water quality, rated as an “8” out of 10.
Recreational Activities
As an all-sports lake, Pine Lake provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. The lake is home to various fish species, including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Yellow Perch.
Beginner's Guide to Pike Fishing Success | How to Locate Fish | Top 3 Lures & Basic Rigs
Pine Lake Country Club and Marina
The lake is complemented by the Pine Lake Country Club and Pine Lake Marina, adding to its allure as a recreational and social hub. These facilities offer additional amenities and services for residents and visitors.
Geological History
Local geological experts believe that the area was shaped by the last period of glaciation, known as the Wisconsin Glacier. The glacier moved across the land, picking up debris such as rocks, gravel, and trees, which were deposited as moraines. As the glacier melted, the materials surrounding and burying the blocks of ice fell into the holes, forming the existing lake basin.
Pine Lake itself has the greatest altitude of all the lakes in the area, being some 400 feet above the Detroit River. It covers 395 acres and has a depth of approximately 94 feet as its deepest spot. The location of the deepest spot in the lake is unusual in that the deep hole in the middle of the lake is in the narrowest part of the lake (just “in front” of Pine Lake Country Club).
Pine Lake Marina
The Pine Lake Boat and Motor Company is known for repairing and selling boats. The Cooper brothers grew up on Pine Lake, admiring and visiting the marina most of their lives.
Pine Lake Facts
The following table summarizes key facts about Pine Lake in West Bloomfield Township:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Private, all-sports lake |
| Location | West Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan |
| Surface Area | 395 acres (160 ha) |
| Max. Depth | 94 feet (27 m) |
| Water Quality Rating | 8 out of 10 |
| Management | Pine Lake Property Owners Association (PLPOA) |
| Fish Species | Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch |
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